Voters in 40 states decided on164 statewide ballot measures on Election Day. On Nov. 3, 145 of them were on the ballot with the other 19 decided earlier this year. Below are election results of issues either strongly or loosely related to firearms, hunting and/or conservation.

ARKANSAS

In-state voters approved Issue 2, commonly referred to as the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment, which provides a right to possess and use ammunition, firearm accessories and components without limitation.

Arkansas also passed Issue 4, which issues up to $500 million in bonds to pay for water-related infrastructure projects like water treatment, waste disposal, flood control and wetlands and aquatic infrastructure.

CALIFORNIA

Californians rejected Proposition 45, which looked to shorten the environmental review time for growing construction needs of housing, water systems and other things.

COLORADO

Coloradans rejected Amendment 83, the right to hunt and fish amendment, which would have created additional protections against hunting and fishing bans and elevated the policy that hunting and fishing as the primary means of wildlife management from statute to the constitution.(As a result, existing rules and statutes for legal hunting and fishing remain in place. The statutory declaration that hunting and fishing are primary management tools also remains in place.)

Although numbers are not final, voters appear to have approved Proposition 137, which directs sales taxes on sporting goods to a state fund for conservation, wildfire mitigation and outdoor recreation.

GEORGIA

Georgians voted to approve Amendment 1, which doubles the amount of land (from 2,000 to 4,000 acres) for landowners to receive favorable property tax rates under the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment program. In essence, it could provide incentives to set aside more acreage for wildlife habitat.

IDAHO

Idaho voters were polled about six options of classic rifles and pistols and selected Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40) as its nonbinding official state firearm. The Idaho Legislature plans to finalize the selection in 2027. Ten other states have already designated official firearms. 

MASSACHUSETTS

Voters approved Question 6, which creates dedicated funding for conservation by directing current tax revenue from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses.

Massachusetts voters also passed Question 9, which upholds House Bill 4885 that enacts gun control changes to the state's firearms regulations including developing an electronic registration system to track firearm ownership, prohibiting "assault-style" firearms, requiring safety certificates to obtain firearm permits and other measures.(Despite being passed by the voters, many of the provisions may be struck down by courts in the future as unconstitutional.)

MISSOURI

Voters already approved an automatic ballot referral on Aug. 4, 2026, that renews the existing sales and use tax of .01% to fund state parks and soil and water conservation programs. Missourians approved the original constitutional amendment in 1984, which is automatically referred to the ballot every 10 years, as per its original written intent.

RHODE ISLAND

Voters in Rhode Island passed Question 5, designed to set aside $55 million in bonds (state borrowing) to fund recreational facilities, environmental projects, protect watersheds and restore riparian habitat.

About Hunt 2 Conserve

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.