As we approach the 2022 election, it’s worth remembering that elections aren’t just about candidates and offices. Voters also choose whether to adopt various issue-based ballot initiatives. Pundits (and voters) often ignore these initiatives.
Let’s take a look at 4 of these ballot initiatives for leftists to watch. I’ll point out that the outset that there are a few abortion initiatives on the ballot in certain states. California and Michigan, for example, have initiatives on the ballot that would guarantee reproductive freedom if enacted.
But I’m going to set these aside for the moment. They’re important, but they’re already getting a fair bit of attention in light of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Instead, I’ll look at initiatives many leftists probably haven’t noticed.
1. $15 minimum wage (Nebraska)
Despite being one of the most conservative states in the country, Nebraska has lots of workers and lots of people who could benefit from an increase in the minimum wage. The encouraging news is that minimum wage increases have done well in lots of other states. Even conservative states.
That said, $15 on a ballot initiative is a challenge. $10-12 tends to succeed more often. However, given the threat of inflation, it could be time to push $15 via ballot initiative in some states. A much better move for the left, of course, would be to use sympathy for minimum wage increases as a starting point for putting working people together for concerted action.
2. Constitutional right to collective bargaining (Illinois)
With this measure, Illinois might do the opposite of Iowa: add to the union rights of workers rather than take those rights away. In effect, this bill would ban the state from passing ‘right to work’ laws and would enshrine the right to bargain collectively over a wide range of workplace issues in the state constitution.
For the most part, unions support the initiative and business groups oppose it. It’s worth watching to see what kinds of directions the labor movement can take in heavily Democratic states.
3. Health care as a fundamental right (Oregon)
This initiative strikes me as rather vague and uncertain. I’m not quite sure how the state would enact or enforce it. But insofar as I understand it, it would guarantee every resident of the state access to health care they can afford.
Do I support the basic concept? Sure. Do I think this is a good way to achieve it? I don’t know. Maybe. Off the top of my head, something like a state Medicare for All program seems like the best way to go. But we’ll see how this goes in Oregon.
4. Expanded access to Medicaid (South Dakota)
In some sense, this is the ‘smallest’ change I’ve listed among the 4 ballot initiatives to watch. This would expand Medicaid in a fairly small and uncontroversial way that 38 other states have already enacted. However, the GOP opposes this move and most South Dakotans are Republicans.
If this initiative passes, it will once again show that many voters in GOP states sit to the left of the GOP. And probably well to the left of the GOP on the kinds of issues social democrats emphasize.
