Arizona

Arizona Proposition 139 – Passed

Summary: Arizona Abortion Access Act, known as Proposition 139, would establish a person’s fundamental right to abortion up to fetal viability and a right to an abortion after fetal viability in cases where the life and health of a pregnant person is at risk. A “yes” vote supports reproductive freedom and access to abortion, which effectively:

• protects access to abortion after fetal viability if the life or physical or mental health of the patient is at risk,
• prevents the state from punishing individual who help pregnant people access an abortion,
• ensures that the state cannot limit access to abortion before fetal viability unless the states utilize the least restrictive means, and
• does not infringe upon the patient’s autonomous decision making, and the limitation is enacted solely to protect the health of the patient.

AAUW of Arizona and AAUW recommend voting YES on Arizona Proposition 139.

AAUW’s commitment to the advancement of reproductive rights began in the 1920s and has remained a focal point in AAUW’s advocacy throughout its long history. AAUW’s 2023-2025 Policy Priorities explicitly promote “accessible reproductive healthcare for all” and a self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions. This proposition reaffirms the right to an abortion and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on this proposition.

California

Proposition 2 – Passed

Summary: This proposition would issue funds directed to the construction and modernization of California’s public education facilities. This would support improvements at K-12 schools as well as community colleges. A “yes” vote would:

• issue $10 billion in bonds to fund the construction and modernization of California’s public education facilities, of which $8.5 billion will be allocated for K-12 schools, and $1.5 billion will be used for community colleges.

AAUW of California recommends voting YES on Proposition 2

AAUW California supports “adequate and equitable funding at all educational levels, including pre-school and post-secondary”. Many school facilities are over 50 years old and require significant upgrades to meet current technological and educational needs. Research shows that modernized school facilities correlate with better test scores, higher attendance, and improved teacher retention rates. This proposition would support public education facilities and as such AAUW California recommends voting YES on Proposition 2.

Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage – Passed

Summary: This proposition would enshrine the fundamental right to marry and protect against any potential future changes to federal marriage protections. A “yes” vote would:

• recognize the fundamental right to marry and
• remove the language banning same-sex marriage.

AAUW of California recommends voting YES on Proposition 3

AAUW California advocates for the “guarantee of civil and constitutional rights for all, including all forms of gender identity and expression, and all family structures”. In 2008 voters passed a measure banning same-sex marriage. In practice the ban has been nullified since a Supreme Court ruling in 2013 which allowed same-sex marriages to resume in California. This proposition will enshrine the fundamental right to marry and protect against any potential future changes to federal marriage protections and as such AAUW California recommends voting YES on Proposition 3.

Proposition 4: Climate Bond – Passed

Summary: This proposition would allocate the state to issue funds to support various environmental, energy, and water projects. It would require a portion of the revenue to fund activities that benefit low-income communities or communities affected by environmental changes or disasters. A “yes” vote:

• allows the state to issue $10 billion in bonds to environmental, energy, and water projects and
• requires 40% of the bond revenue to be allocated towards activities that benefit low-income communities and communities impacted by environmental changes or disasters.

AAUW of California recommends voting YES on Proposition 4.

AAUW California supports “social and racial justice for all members of society, including equal access to quality affordable healthcare, housing and a healthy environment.” And AAUW California’s Public Policy Committee has pointed out in the past that addressing climate issues and advancing gender equity is directly related to environmental sustainability, and vice versa. This proposition aims to help those most impacted by climate issues and as such AAUW California recommends voting YES to Proposition 4.

Proposition 32 – Failed

Summary: Proposition 32 seeks to increase California’s minimum wage from the current $16 per hour to $18 per hour by 2026, with a phased approach starting in 2025.

A “yes” vote supports increasing the minimum wage in California, which would effectively:

• raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, benefiting workers who currently earn less than this amount,
• improve the economic well-being of many low-wage workers, especially women and people of color, who are significantly impacted by low wages, and
• address income inequality and help workers better meet the basic cost of living.

AAUW of California recommends voting YES on Proposition 32.

AAUW has long advocated for economic security for all women, which includes promoting policies that address income inequality and support a living wage. AAUW’s 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities emphasize the need for “increasing the number of quality jobs that pay a living wage.” Proposition 32 aligns with these goals by raising the minimum wage to $18 per hour, directly benefiting millions of low-wage workers, particularly women and people of color. In a state where women, especially from marginalized communities, are overrepresented in low-paying jobs, this increase would significantly improve economic stability for these workers.

Colorado

Amendment 79 – Passed

Summary: Amendment 79 establishes a constitutional right to abortion and repeals an existing Colorado constitutional provision banning the use of public funds for abortion services.

A “yes” vote would strengthen Colorado’s already strong commitment to reproductive freedom by:

• establishing a constitutional right to abortion
• prohibiting state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against exercising that right
• allowing state-funded health insurance (Medicaid) and state and local government employee health insurance plans to pay for abortion care

AAUW of Colorado and AAUW recommend voting YES on Amendment 79.

Passing Amendment 79 secures abortion as a constitutional right in Colorado and prohibits discrimination against people seeking an abortion at the state and local level. The amendment would repeal an existing Colorado constitutional provision restricting the use of public funding for abortion. In the 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities, AAUW reaffirms the commitment to “accessible reproductive health care” and advocates for a pregnant person’s right to make their own reproductive choices. Amendment 79 furthers AAUW’s mission to protect the right to accessible reproductive healthcare and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on Amendment 79.

Florida

Amendment 1: Partisan School Board Elections Amendment – Failed

Summary: The proposed amendment would change the current nonpartisan school board elections in Florida to partisan elections. Beginning in the 2026 general election, candidates would be nominated through party-specific primaries and listed on the ballot with party labels, such as Democrat or Republican.

A “no” vote opposes making school board elections partisan, thereby maintaining:

• the current nonpartisan election system where school board candidates run without party labels,
• equitable voter participation by preventing school board elections from being subject to Florida’s closed primary system, and
• reduced political division in education by keeping school board elections focused on the quality of education rather than political agendas.

AAUW of Florida and AAUW recommend voting NO on Florida Amendment 1.

AAUW has long advocated for public education that is equitable, inclusive, and free from political influence. The 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities emphasize the need for “high-quality public education as the foundation of a democratic society” and the importance of a “bias-free education” for all students. Amendment 1 would increase political influence on school boards and exclude many Floridians from voting in closed primaries, detracting from these principles. Therefore, AAUW of Florida urges you to vote NO on Amendment 1.

Amendment 4: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion – Failed

Summary: The proposed amendment would ensure that no law would impose restrictions on abortion before viability or when necessary to protect a patient’s health but does not change Florida’s requirement to notify a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.

A “yes” vote would overturn Florida’s current six-week ban and:

• establish a constitutional right to an abortion up to fetal viability and
• ensure that abortion is accessible and not prohibited when medically necessary.

AAUW of Florida and AAUW recommend voting YES on Florida Amendment 4.

AAUW has long advocated for reproductive rights and accessible healthcare. The 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities state that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions”. Amendment 4 codifies the constitutional right to abortion in Florida and furthers AAUW’s mission to secure and protect a pregnant person’s right to make their own reproductive choices and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on Amendment 4.

Hawaii

Question 1 – Passed

Summary: Question 1 would remove a provision from the Hawai’i State Constitution that states “the legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.”

A “yes” vote would ensure the protection of same-sex marriage in Hawai’i by:

• removing language from the state constitution that allows the legislature to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

AAUW of Hawai’i and AAUW recommend voting YES on Question 1.

AAUW advocates “Freedom in the definition of self and family, including protection from discrimination and a guarantee of civil rights for all family structures.” Same-sex marriage is protected under the 2013 Hawai’i Marriage Equality Act and federally under the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This amendment would enshrine the protection of same-sex marriage in the Hawai’i State Constitution, and as such AAUW of Hawai’i and AAUW recommend voting YES on Question 1.

Maryland

Question 1: Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment – Passed

Summary: The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end the individual’s pregnancy, and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge that right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrict means.

A “yes” vote amends the Maryland state constitution to:

• ensure that everyone has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom including the right to abortion access and birth control.

AAUW of Maryland and AAUW recommend voting YES on Maryland Question 1 Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

AAUW maintains a long history of fighting for reproductive rights. The 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities highlight that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions”. Maryland’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment reaffirms the right for pregnant people to make their own reproductive choices and furthers AAUW’s mission and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on Maryland Question 1 Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

Missouri Amendment 3 – Passed

The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative

Summary: The proposed amendment would establish a right to reproductive freedom, including the right to make decisions about one’s own reproductive healthcare: birth control, abortion care, childbirth, prenatal care, etc. In addition, the amendment allows the state to regulate abortion after fetal viability provided that the government does not restrict abortion that protects the life or physical or mental health of the patient. A “yes” vote would overturn Missouri’s current total abortion ban and will effectively:

• guarantee a right to an abortion and other aspects of reproductive healthcare,
• protect against criminal punishment for providing or receiving abortion care,
• require the state to use “the least restrictive means” when regulating abortion care after fetal viability, and
• prioritize the life and health of pregnant people when accessing abortion healthcare.

AAUW of Missouri and AAUW recommend voting YES on MO Amendment 3

AAUW’s history of advocating for reproductive rights began in the 1920s with its formal adoption as a policy principle in 1977.

The 2023-2025 Public Priorities reaffirm this commitment and state that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions.”

Amendment 3 secures the right to reproductive healthcare and protects pregnant peoples’ lives and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on Amendment 3.

Montana

Constitutional Initiative 128 – Passed

Summary: This proposed initiative would create a right to an abortion up to fetal viability and allow the state to regulate abortion after viability provided that the state does deny or burden access to abortion that is needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient. The initiative also dictates that the government is not allowed to punish a pregnant person or anyone aiding a pregnant person for seeking or obtaining an abortion. A “yes” vote would establish a new legal framework to:

• guarantee the right to an abortion until fetal viability,
• protect against criminal punishment based upon a person’s pregnancy outcome or against a person assisting a pregnant individual in their decision-making about their own pregnancy, and
• allow for abortions after fetal viability if deemed medically necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

AAUW of Montana and AAUW recommend voting YES on Montana Constitutional Initiative 128.

AAUW maintains a long history of reproductive right advocacy beginning in the 1920s and continuing on in 1977 when reproductive healthcare became a policy principle. The 2023-2025 Public Priorities reflect this commitment and state that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions”. Montana Constitutional Initiative 128 secures the right to self-determination in matters of reproductive healthcare and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on Constitutional Initiative 128.

New York

Proposal 1, an Amendment – Passed

Summary: The amendment would add anti-discrimination provisions to the State Bill of Rights in New York’s State Constitution including ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex which includes sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and protections for reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “yes” vote would establish a New York specific version of the “Equal Rights Amendment”, therefore the amendment would:

• establish a constitutional right to abortion,
• prevent the state from banning state funding of abortion care, and
• assert that there can be no discrimination based upon sex

AAUW of New York and AAUW recommend voting YES on New York Proposal 1, an Amendment.

AAUW upholds a long history of reproductive rights advocacy, beginning in the 1920s and continuing in the 1970s when reproductive healthcare was formally adopted as a policy principle. The 2023-2025 Policy Priorities state that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions”. This proposal reaffirms AAUW’s mission to secure reproductive rights and equitable access to healthcare and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on New York Proposal 1.

Nevada

Question 6: Reproductive Rights Amendment – Passed

Summary: The proposed amendment would establish a fundamental right to abortion until fetal viability or if needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.

A “yes” vote would bolster its preexisting abortion legislation to allow abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy and in effect:

• establish the right to abortion until viability and
• allow abortion in cases where there is risk to the life or health of a pregnant person after the point of fetal viability.

AAUW of Nevada and AAUW recommend voting YES on the Nevada Reproductive Rights Amendment.

AAUW maintains a long history of reproductive rights advocacy, beginning in the 1920s and continuing into the 1970s when reproductive healthcare was established as a policy principle. The 2023-2025 Public Priorities reaffirm this commitment and state that in order to “guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates for self-determination of one’s reproductive health decisions”. This amendment helps protect the rights of pregnant people to make their own decisions about reproductive healthcare and as such AAUW recommends voting YES on the Nevada Reproductive Rights Amendment.

Washington

Initiative 2124: Long Term Care Insurance Program Changes – Failed

Summary: The proposed measure would change Washington’s current long-term care program, WA Cares Fund, from a mandatory payroll tax to an opt-in system. This measure would effectively dismantle the state’s current program designed to ensure equitable access to long-term care benefits. A “no” vote would maintain WA Cares Fund as a mandatory payroll tax that:

• provides universal access to long-term care benefits regardless of gender, pre-existing conditions, or income,
• prevents gender rating and pre-existing condition exclusions, and
• covers both home care and residential facility stays for all working Washingtonians.

AAUW of Washington and AAUW recommend voting NO on Initiative 2124.

AAUW has long advocated for gender equity in health care, and I-2124 threatens these ideals. The AAUW’s 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities promote “the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons” and advocate for equitable access to quality, affordable health care for everyone. I-2124 threatens this commitment by potentially excluding those who need care most, disproportionately impacting women who face higher costs for private long-term care insurance and are more likely to require care.

Initiative 2109: Capital Gains Excise Tax Repeal – Failed

Summary: The proposed initiative would repeal the capital gains excise tax on extraordinary profits from the sale of assets such as stock market profits greater than $250,000. The tax does not include retirement accounts, profit from sale of homes, real estate, small family businesses, farms and livestock, timber and timberlands or commercial fishing rights. Washington’s capital gains excise tax is an important part of Washington’s equitable tax code structure. A “no” vote will:

• maintain Washington’s Education Legacy Trust fund that supports childcare and early learning, K-12 education, career and technical training, and school construction projects,
• save Washington from adopting a regressive tax code with the burden falling on middle- and low-income households, and
• prevent the loss of over 10,000 jobs and 1.2 billion in state personal income.

AAUW of Washington and AAUW recommend voting NO on Washington Initiative 2109.

AAUW has long advocated for progressive taxation with a clear gender equity goal. High quality education is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy and plays an instrumental role in improving economic prosperity and gender equality. AAUW believes in equitable and affordable access to education that serves to close the persistent learning and opportunity gaps disproportionately affecting students from low income and minority groups. AAUW’s 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities include “supporting and protecting programs that meet the needs of girls and women in elementary, secondary and postsecondary education”. The proposed initiative threatens the Education Legacy Trust fund and accessible education for all and as such AAUW recommends voting NO on Washington Initiative 2109.

Initiative 2117: Climate Commitment Act Repeal – Failed

Summary: The proposed measure would repeal Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air and water quality, and support overburdened communities through a cap-and-invest system. The initiative aims to dismantle this critical climate policy and shift responsibility for pollution mitigation away from major polluters. A “no” vote maintains the Climate Commitment Act and:

• preserves the state’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing catastrophic climate impacts,
• secures funding from carbon auctions to support environmental justice initiatives and overburdened communities, and
• implements protections for air and water quality and investments in transportation and infrastructure projects.

AAUW of Washington and AAUW recommend voting NO on Initiative 2117.

AAUW has long advocated for policies that promote a clean, sustainable environment and address the impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including women and girls. The AAUW’s 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities promote “the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons. Essential to that well-being are…a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.” Repealing the Climate Commitment Act would undermine efforts to combat climate change and exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting women and underserved communities. Voting NO on I-2117 aligns with AAUW’s commitment to upholding strong climate policies that prevent more pollution, protect public health, and support gender equity in climate leadership.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment – Passed

Summary: The proposed anti-voter amendment would change the current language in the Wisconsin Constitution from “Every” U.S. citizen who is 18 years old or older can vote to “Only” a U.S. citizen who is 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections. This language is intentionally confusing and rooted in misinformation. A “no” vote would preserve the current language in the Wisconsin Constitution that:

• ensures all eligible voters in Wisconsin are afforded the right to cast a ballot, and
• provides the constitutional guarantee that protects the freedom to vote from further infringement.

AAUW of Wisconsin and AAUW recommend voting NO on the Wisconsin Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment.

AAUW has long advocated open and fair elections that are broadly accessible to all eligible voters. Federal law already makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in all federal elections, including elections for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and president. AAUW’s 2023-25 Public Policy Priorities reaffirm this commitment to “Vigorous enforcement of and full access to civil and constitutional rights, including…expanding voting rights.” This unnecessary amendment could allow for discriminatory practices and voter disenfranchisement, therefore AAUW of Wisconsin and AAUW recommend voting NO on the Wisconsin Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment.