At least 27 tax-related ballot measures will go before voters this November across 13 states, with property tax relief dominating the agenda in Republican-controlled legislatures. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming have placed proposals on the ballot that would significantly reduce property tax burdens, from expanding homestead exemptions to outright bans on state-level property taxes. The eight property tax ballot initiatives across six states will deprive state and local governments of at least hundreds of millions and potentially as much as tens of billions of dollars in the coming years.
Soaring home values—up roughly 45% since 2020 while median household income rose only about 8.1%—have pushed property tax bills to painful highs, triggering what experts call a national backlash. Politicians are now facing pressure as the midterm elections loom, with Republican governors and state lawmakers elevating property tax cuts as their answer to housing affordability. Republican governors are proposing to unwind how local governments are funded and testing red states’ ability to ease rising housing costs through measures that will appear alongside congressional and gubernatorial races on November 3.
The push comes at a pivotal moment: property taxes typically correspond to home assessments that take place every few years, and the home price boom from 2020 to 2022 resulted in higher property tax bills that are now hitting homeowners’ mailboxes. With control of Congress and dozens of statehouses at stake, property tax relief has become a defining issue for Republican candidates who argue families are being taxed out of their homes.
The biggest ballot fights
Florida’s $46 billion gamble leads the pack
Amendment 3 would eventually eliminate most property taxes for Florida homeowners, with the largest fiscal impact in the nation
Florida’s House Joint Resolution 1-F, which voters will see as Amendment 3 on the November 2026 ballot, would reduce the taxable value of homestead property for non-school local property taxes. The constitutional amendment was approved by votes of 75-26 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate during a special session held June 1–3, 2026, called by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The measure creates a new homestead exemption of $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, applicable to all non-school levies. If approved, the amendment directs the Florida Legislature to create a future schedule for full elimination of non-school homestead property taxes. The change would wipe out non-school property taxes for roughly 60% of Florida homesteaded owners. Florida’s Amendment 3 is projected to cost around $46 billion in lost revenue by 2032, making it the most consequential property tax measure in the country.
The amendment also reduces the assessment cap on non-homestead properties—second homes and commercial real estate—from 10% to 5%. The measure requires at least 60% approval by voters, a high bar under Florida’s constitution. Most provisions would begin January 1, 2027 if approved. You can read the full text of HJR 1-F on the Florida Senate’s website.
What Florida’s Amendment 3 would do
$150,000 homestead exemption starting in 2027, rising to $250,000 in 2028 for all non-school property taxes. Assessment cap on rental and commercial properties drops from 10% to 5% annually. New Florida residents must wait five years before receiving the increased exemption. Requires 60% voter approval to pass. Projected cost: $46 billion in lost local government revenue by 2032.
Across the map
Six more states take aim at property taxes
From North Carolina’s income tax cap to Wyoming’s 50% exemption, Republican-led states are offering voters a menu of tax cuts
North Carolina voters will decide on House Bill 1089, which would require the state legislature to pass laws that limit how much property taxes may increase. Both chambers approved the measure on May 20, 2026, with votes split along party lines—Republicans voting in support and Democrats in opposition. The state is also asking voters to reduce the constitutional income tax limit from 7% to 3.5% in a separate amendment.
Wyoming’s Homeowner’s Primary Residence Property Tax Exemption Initiative would create a homeowner’s property tax exemption that exempts 50% of a primary residence’s assessed value from property taxation. The measure, certified for the ballot on November 3, 2026, will be the first initiative to appear on Wyoming’s ballot in 30 years and the first citizen initiative in the state to address tax policy.
Oklahoma State Question 843 would eliminate property taxes on homesteads through a phased approach: a 33.33% exemption in tax year 2027, a 66.67% exemption in 2028, and a 100% exemption in 2029 and thereafter. A similar competing measure, State Question 842, uses the same phase-out schedule.
Tennessee’s ballot measure would prohibit the legislature from ever levying a statewide property tax. Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor, speaking in support of the state’s Amendment 2 prior to its first legislative passage in 2025, argued that “the property tax is the most egregious tax there is because you never own your property. You’re only paying rent to the government.”
Georgia and Louisiana have also placed property tax measures on the November ballot, though details vary by state. Additional property tax initiatives are pending or potential in Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota, according to Ballotpedia’s tracking of 2026 property tax ballot measures.
The November ballot lineup
Florida: Amendment 3 raises homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028, needs 60% to pass. Wyoming: 50% exemption on primary residences. Oklahoma: Two competing measures to phase out homestead property taxes by 2029. North Carolina: Constitutional amendment requiring property tax caps. Tennessee: Ban on state property taxes. Georgia and Louisiana: Property tax relief measures. At least 27 total tax ballot measures across 13 states this November.
What’s already in effect
Texas led the way with historic cuts in 2025
Several Republican states have already enacted major property tax relief, setting the stage for this year’s ballot battles
While this November’s ballot measures grab headlines, several states have already delivered property tax cuts that took effect in 2026 or earlier. Texas, which has the seventh highest property taxes in the country, moved aggressively in 2025.
The 2025 Texas legislative session produced three major bills that Governor Greg Abbott signed into law in June 2025, which Texas voters delivered decisively in November through constitutional amendments. Texas property tax relief for 2026 features a $140,000 homestead exemption (up from $100,000) that reduces taxable value for school district taxes. Seniors and disabled homeowners receive an extra $60,000 exemption (up from $10,000) for a total of $200,000.
Indiana passed sweeping legislation to give homeowners $1.2 billion in tax relief between 2026 and 2028 through an annual tax credit of up to $300 on property tax bills and caps on local income tax rates. But those savings come at a cost to local government coffers—an estimated $1.5 billion over the three-year period—and many localities now face budget shortfalls and are enacting budget cuts in response.
In Iowa, lawmakers approved roughly $4 billion in property tax cuts paired with limits on how quickly local governments can grow revenue collections, an approach analysts describe as a levy cap designed to slow future growth in property tax bills. Montana, New Jersey, and New York have also enacted property tax relief measures for 2026, particularly targeting seniors and retirees.
Governor Abbott continues to push for more. A Republican running for re-election for a record fourth term, Abbott is making property tax reform his top priority. The governor would limit local spending increases to a level not exceeding the rate of population growth plus inflation or 3.5%, whichever is lower, and wants to give voters a chance to weigh in on eliminating school district property taxes for homeowners via constitutional amendment. Learn more about Texas property tax relief and homebuying programs on our state guide.
The political stakes
Why property taxes matter in November
Midterm elections and housing affordability collide as Republicans bet tax cuts will energize voters
Property tax relief has become a centerpiece of Republican messaging heading into the midterms, with candidates arguing that families are being priced out of homeownership by rising government costs. Except for North Carolina and Georgia, the states with property tax initiatives tend to lean heavily conservative in their political affiliations, giving Republicans confidence the measures will pass.
In Florida, any amendments to the state constitution necessitate a 60% approval from voters to be enacted, a threshold that requires bipartisan support or overwhelming enthusiasm from the Republican base. Other states with property tax initiatives awaiting a vote require only a simple majority of 50% plus one, making passage more likely.
This year, two ballot initiatives related to taxation have been put to a vote, both of which were unsuccessful: in May, Oregon’s Measure 120, aimed at increasing the state’s fuel tax, was decisively rejected by voters, and Louisiana’s Amendment 4, which sought to permit local governments to exempt business inventory from property taxes, was turned down by a margin of 2:1, suggesting a general reluctance among voters to alter the existing tax framework in any significant manner.
The outcome of these ballot measures will have implications far beyond tax policy. Property taxes remain one of the more stable and predictable ways for local governments to raise revenue, and property taxes are the primary tool for financing local governments and the single largest source of state and local revenue in the US, helping fund schools, roads, police, and other services. Critics warn that slashing property taxes without replacement revenue will force cuts to essential services or shift the burden to renters and businesses through higher sales taxes.
For homeowners and buyers
What November’s votes mean for your housing costs
If these measures pass, property tax savings could be substantial—but the trade-offs matter
If you own a home—or are planning to buy one—in any of the seven states with property tax measures on the ballot, November 3 could reshape your housing costs for years to come. In Florida, a homeowner with a $400,000 homesteaded property could see their non-school property tax bill drop to zero by 2028 if Amendment 3 passes. In Wyoming, a 50% exemption would cut bills in half immediately. In Oklahoma, the three-year phase-out would eliminate homestead property taxes entirely by 2029.
For prospective buyers, lower property taxes improve affordability and can increase your purchasing power. Lenders calculate your debt-to-income ratio based on your total monthly housing payment, including property taxes and insurance. A $200 monthly reduction in property taxes could allow you to qualify for a home that costs $30,000 to $40,000 more, depending on interest rates and your other debts. Explore how property taxes affect home affordability and use our calculators to estimate your total monthly costs.
But there are trade-offs. Eliminating property taxes would require billions in replacement revenue, likely from sales taxes or state reserves. A full property tax-to-sales tax swap could disproportionately hurt lower-income households, particularly since lower-income households typically spend a greater share of their income on taxable everyday goods. Renters, who don’t benefit from homestead exemptions, could see their costs rise if landlords face higher taxes on non-homestead properties or if local governments raise other fees to make up for lost revenue.
If you’re a first-time buyer weighing these changes, remember that property taxes are just one piece of the affordability puzzle. First-time buyer programs, down payment assistance, and low-rate mortgages can all reduce your upfront and monthly costs. And if you’re buying in a state with a property tax ballot measure this November, make sure you understand what’s actually on the ballot—and what it would mean for your specific situation—before you vote.
Action steps before November
Check your state’s sample ballot to see if a property tax measure is on it. Use your county property appraiser or assessor’s website to estimate how the measure would affect your current or future property tax bill. If you’re shopping for a home, ask your lender to calculate monthly payments under both current law and the proposed change. Read the full text of any ballot measure—not just the summary—to understand phase-in schedules, eligibility rules, and what happens to local services. If you’re a renter, research whether your state’s measure could shift costs to non-homestead properties.
Quick answers
Property tax ballot measures: common questions
Which states have property tax measures on the November 2026 ballot?
Florida, Wyoming, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana all have property tax relief measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Florida’s Amendment 3 is the largest, proposing to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 by 2028 and eventually eliminate non-school property taxes for primary residences. Wyoming voters will decide on a 50% exemption for primary residences, while Oklahoma has two competing measures to phase out homestead property taxes entirely by 2029. Additional property tax initiatives are pending or potential in Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota.
How much could Florida’s Amendment 3 save homeowners?
Florida’s Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 for all non-school property taxes. For a homeowner with a $400,000 homesteaded property, this could eliminate county and city property taxes entirely, saving $2,000 to $4,000 per year depending on local millage rates. The amendment requires 60% voter approval to pass and would take effect January 1, 2027 if approved. The measure is projected to cost local governments around $46 billion in lost revenue by 2032.
What happens to schools and local services if property taxes are cut?
Property taxes are the primary funding source for local governments, schools, police, roads, and other services. Most of the November ballot measures target non-school property taxes, leaving school funding largely intact. However, counties and cities would lose significant revenue. States have proposed different solutions: some would backfill lost revenue from state reserves or surplus funds, others would require local governments to cut spending or raise other taxes like sales taxes. Florida’s Amendment 3 includes provisions restricting how local governments can spend remaining property tax revenue, prioritizing core services like public safety.
Do property tax cuts help renters or just homeowners?
Most property tax ballot measures this November target homestead exemptions, which only benefit homeowners who use the property as their primary residence. Renters do not receive direct savings. In fact, some measures—like Florida’s Amendment 3—reduce the assessment cap on non-homestead properties (including rental properties) from 10% to 5%, which could increase taxes on landlords. Whether landlords pass those costs to renters depends on the rental market. If local governments replace lost property tax revenue with higher sales taxes or fees, renters would bear those costs without receiving the homestead exemption benefit.
Have voters approved property tax cuts before?
Yes, but results are mixed. Texas voters overwhelmingly approved constitutional amendments in November 2025 that increased the homestead exemption to $140,000 and raised the senior exemption to $200,000, with 79% and 77% support respectively. However, this year two tax-related ballot measures failed: Oregon’s Measure 120 to increase fuel taxes was decisively rejected in May, and Louisiana’s Amendment 4 to exempt business inventory from property taxes was turned down 2:1. Historically, voters have been reluctant to eliminate property taxes entirely—Oklahoma voters defeated a property tax ban in 1932, and Michigan voters rejected a similar measure in 1936 with 73% voting no.
What states have already cut property taxes in 2026?
Texas enacted the largest property tax cuts in state history, which took effect in 2026: the homestead exemption rose to $140,000 and the senior/disabled exemption increased to $200,000. Indiana is providing $1.2 billion in relief through 2028 via annual tax credits of up to $300. Iowa approved $4 billion in cuts with levy caps on local governments. Montana implemented a tiered rate system ranging from 0.76% to 1.10% for primary residences. New Jersey launched the Stay NJ program offering up to $6,500 in property tax relief for homeowners 65 and older. Montana, New York, and Arizona also enacted various property tax relief measures for veterans, seniors, and disabled homeowners.