Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) or its local chapters endorsed 37 state and local ballot measures that were decided on Nov. 3. Of the 37, the DSA position prevailed in 23 of the 26 called elections, while 11 remain uncalled.
The three measures that had outcomes contrary to the DSA position on the measure are Idaho Proposition 1, which would have established a right to reproductive freedom; North Dakota Constitutional Measure 2, which would have provided free school meals; and an initiative in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which would have established a municipal electric utility. All three measures were endorsed by DSA but were defeated.
Measures supported by DSA were approved in 19 of 22 called cases on Nov. 3. All four called measures it opposed were defeated: Massachusetts Questions 3, 5, and 8, and Washington Initiative 645. Six other measures DSA opposed remain too close to call.
Of the 11, the votes of three measures favor the DSA position, and the vote totals of the eight others are leading against the DSA position. San Francisco Proposition B has the closest margin as of Nov. 5, 12:00 PM EST, with ‘No’ leading by 144 votes. Proposition B would create a municipal finance corporation and a public bank that would exist as nonprofit corporations. DSA supported Proposition B. Berkeley Measure Z has the widest percentage margin against the DSA position. Votes in opposition to the measure are ahead with 58% to 42% in favor. DSA also supported Measure Z, which would levy a six-year parcel tax to fund a public bank financing affordable housing, green energy and infrastructure, and small businesses.
DSA endorsed California Proposition 40, the 5% wealth tax on individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 billion. It is uncalled, but ‘No’ votes lead with 55% of the vote to 45% voting ‘Yes’. DSA opposed the two competing measures — Propositions 41 and 42— that would nullify Proposition 40 if they are approved. Proposition 41 is too close to call, with 52% opposed to 48% in favor, while Proposition 42 is also too close to call, but with 54% in favor to 46% opposed.
DSA and state Democratic parties took positions on 23 statewide measures on the Nov. 3 ballot, and their positions matched on all 23. Of the 15 measures that have been called, their shared position prevailed 13 times. The other eight remain too close to call.
DSA and state Republican parties aligned on two statewide ballot measures, Massachusetts Questions 1 and 3. DSA and the state Republican Party endorsed Massachusetts Question 1, which made records held by the state legislature and the governor’s office public records. It was approved. DSA and the state Republican Party opposed Massachusetts Question 3, which would have established a top-two primary system. It was defeated.
The national DSA organization published the following statement after Election Day: “This midterm cycle, DSA made history. Over 130 DSA chapters in 43 states supported socialist candidates and ballot measures all across the country, and won. We are poised to win at least 105 seats in elected office and ballot measures that demonstrate Americans’ desire for socialism nationwide.”
The DSA positions on statewide ballot measures decided on Nov. 3 are below:
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