Water wins big on election day

Voters approve historic investments for clean water and healthy rivers

Contact: Hawk Hammer, Senior Strategist for American Rivers Action Fund, Hhammer@americanrivers.org

November 5, 2025

Washington – In a victory for clean, safe, reliable water, voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved ballot measures supporting rivers, infrastructure, and parks. The initiatives, supported by the American Rivers Action Fund, demonstrate that clean water and healthy rivers are priorities for voters across the political spectrum.

In Texas, citizens passed Proposition 4 with 71% of the vote, authorizing a billion dollar a year fund for water security and stream and floodplain restoration efforts across the state for the next 20 years. This is the largest state-based water ballot initiative in history. Partners including the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund and Texans for Opportunity were vital to the effort, amplifying the issues with the Texas State Legislature, Governor Abbot, and communities across the Lone Star State.

In Idaho, Boise voters approved a 2-year, $11 million dollar property tax levy that will supply critical funding for clean water, parks and urban trails, and wildfire prevention measures. Boise voters approved the measure with 81% of the vote, illustrating how integral Boise River habitat improvements, walkable parks, and wildfire protection measures are to the quality of life across the city. The coalition effort was led by Conservation Voters of Idaho.

“When water is on the ballot, water wins. Water security is a unifying issue across the political spectrum. No matter where you live or who you vote for, we all need clean water coming out of our kitchen taps and we all want to be able to take our kids to the local creek to play,” says Heather Taylor-Miesle, Executive Director of the American Rivers Action Fund. “These wins will make life better in Texas and Idaho, and they provide a blueprint for actions other cities and states can take to protect their water wealth.”

We all need clean, safe water for our families — no matter where we live or what we look like. Much of our water comes from rivers, which also provide crucial habitat for fish and wildlife. Our economy, farms, and cities depend on river water for growth. And rivers give us ways to connect with nature and each other.

About the American Rivers Action Fund

The mission of the American Rivers Action Fund, an affiliate of American Rivers, is to build a bipartisan River Majority and advance wins for clean, safe water and healthy rivers for people and wildlife. www.AmericanRiversActionFund.org