While much of the attention heading into Election Day is focused on federal and state races, voters across the country will also be weighing in on various infrastructure funding measures that could shape transportation, water, transit, and resilience investments in their communities for years to come. Local and state ballot initiatives remain a critical tool for advancing infrastructure projects at a time when many communities face growing capital needs and uncertainty surrounding future federal funding.
State Ballot Measures
Arguably the highest-profile measure is Florida Amendment 3, which would substantially expand the state’s homestead property tax exemption, reduce the annual assessment growth cap for non-homestead properties from 10 percent to 5 percent, and further constrain local governments’ ability to generate property tax revenue. If approved, the amendment would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 while limiting taxable value growth on commercial and rental properties. Supporters argue the proposal would provide meaningful tax relief, but local officials have warned that lower property tax collections could reduce funding available for infrastructure, public facilities, and debt service on local capital projects by billions of dollars across the state.
Florida is part of a broader national trend. Voters in several states will consider property-tax-related ballot measures this November, including proposals that expand exemptions, limit assessments, or restrict governments’ authority to raise property tax revenue. Because property taxes are among the most stable revenue sources available to local governments, measures that constrain future collections can have lasting effects on capital improvement programs and municipal bonding capacity.
Not all infrastructure-related measures focus on limiting revenues. In Arkansas, voters will consider Issue 4, which would authorize the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue up to $500 million in general obligation bonds for water, wastewater, pollution control, irrigation, drainage, flood control, and wetlands projects. Supporters view the proposal as a major investment in the state’s water infrastructure and environmental resilience, while opponents have raised concerns about additional state debt obligations.
In California, voters will weigh Proposition 45, a closely watched measure that would accelerate environmental reviews for designated “essential” projects by imposing deadlines on permitting and litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Eligible projects include transportation facilities, roads, bridges, water infrastructure, broadband, schools, housing, healthcare facilities, wildfire mitigation projects, and clean energy developments. Supporters contend the measure would reduce delays and lower project costs, while opponents argue it would weaken environmental oversight and public participation in project reviews.
Meanwhile, Colorado voters will consider Proposition 137, which would allow the state to retain sales tax revenues from sporting goods and equipment that would otherwise be refunded under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits. The redirected revenue would be dedicated to conservation, wildfire mitigation, watershed protection, forest management, and outdoor recreation investments. Backers estimate the measure could generate up to $175 million annually for these purposes without increasing tax rates, creating a dedicated funding stream for natural resource and resilience projects that protect critical infrastructure and water supplies.
Local Ballot Measures
Several transportation measures are being considered at the local level that could make significant investments in infrastructure. In Charleston County, South Carolina, voters will decide whether to approve a one-half of 1 percent sales tax for up to 25 years or until $4.25 billion is collected to support roadway, transit, congestion-relief, and safety projects. They will also consider whether to approve $300 million in general obligation bonds payable from the proposed sales tax increase to help fund local infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, residents of Cobb County, Georgia, will vote on renewing the county’s one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). First enacted in 1995, the current SPLOST is set to expire at the end of 2027. If voters choose to extend it, current estimates anticipate that the new SPLOST will raise more than $300 million for road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, transit improvements, and other transportation initiatives.
In Virginia, voters in Arlington County will weigh a series of local bond referenda, including nearly $70 million for Metro, roadway, pedestrian, and transportation projects. The proposal would help fund the county’s share of WMATA’s capital program, as well as street paving, traffic signal upgrades, and other multimodal transportation improvements.
Water and resilience infrastructure are also prominent themes this year. In St. Petersburg, Florida, voters will consider whether to authorize the city council to issue up to $600 million in bonds for capital improvements to its floodwater protection, stormwater pumping stations, wastewater systems, and drinking water infrastructure. Similarly, in Ventura County, California the United Water Conservation District is seeking voter approval for up to $350 million in bonds to support water supply reliability, dam safety improvements, groundwater protection, and water quality projects.
Taken together, this year’s ballot measures illustrate how state and local governments continue to turn directly to voters to fund transportation networks, water systems, transit assets, and climate resilience projects. The results will provide an important signal about public support for future infrastructure investment and may influence funding strategies nationwide.
ASCE will continue to monitor these and other ballot measures that may have a significant impact on state and local infrastructure investment.