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Subscribe to RSSOn Election Day, all eyes will be on the race for the White House, but in several states that won’t be the only contest worth watching. Across the country, voters will also face decisions about local referendums and amendments to their state constitutions on a variety of policy issues -- from gay marriage and marijuana legalization to reproductive rights.
Indeed, according to the left-leaning Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, voters will decide the fate of more than 130 ballot measures on Nov. 6. Here are some of the more closely watched ones:
1. Legalizing gay marriage (Maryland & Washington state): Voters in Maryland and Washington will be asked to either uphold or dismiss their state’s marriage-equality laws. In March, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Opponents of the new law fired back in June, gaining enough signatures to put the issue before voters this November. Similarly, same-sex marriages were legalized in Washington last February when Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed the “Marriage Equality” bill. However, the law could be overturned this fall when it faces a referendum vote in the November election. If either of these measures is passed, it would be the first time in U.S. history that a ballot measure in support of same-sex marriage would win a statewide popular vote.
2. Banning gay marriage (Minnesota): Voters will decide whether or not to pass a proposed state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between only one man and one woman. Currently, same-sex marriages are not recognized in the state.
3. Legalizing marijuana (Arkansas, Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, Washington): Voters in both Arkansas and Massachusetts will be asked to vote on the legalization of marijuana -- for medical use -- in their states. In these measures, both states outline what type of medical conditions qualifies an individual to use marijuana without criminal penalties. Voters in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21 and older, and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol currently is.
4. Adopting Maryland's "Dream Act”: In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 167, which is commonly referred to as the “Maryland Dream Act.” The law allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Maryland community colleges if they graduate high school in the state and their parents file taxes in Maryland. After completing two years at a community college, the students can then transfer to a state university, while still paying the in-state tuition rate. This current ballot measure will decide if this law stays or goes.
5. Enacting campaign finance reform (California): Proposition 32 aims to make key changes to campaign finance laws in California. If passed, neither unions nor corporations would be allowed to donate directly to state and local political candidates; employee payroll deductions could not be used for “political purposes”; and the law would prohibit government contractors from donating to candidates who’ve helped them secure a contract. Opponents of this reform are fearful that, if the ballot proposition passes, the voices of Super PACs and special interest groups will be louder than ever before.
6. Outlawing affirmative action (Oklahoma): State Question #759 will appear on ballots across Oklahoma in November, and it asks voters whether or not affirmative action programs in the state should be banned. The three areas targeted by the amendment are employment, education, and contracting. If passed, the ban on affirmative action programs would extend to the state, its agencies, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other subdivisions.
7. Banning federal funds for abortions (Florida): Voters in Florida will decide on a constitutional amendment that would ban the use public funds for abortions, unless it's performed in order to save the mother’s life. The amendment also notes, in regards to abortion, that the state’s constitution -- when it comes to abortion -- cannot be interpreted to be broader in scope than the United States Constitution. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.
8. Abolishing the death penalty (California): Californians will have the chance to abolish the death penalty as the maximum punishment for murder. If passed, Proposition 34 would make the maximum criminal punishment in the state life in prison with no possibility for parole. According to an official report put out by the state’s Legislative Analyst, if the amendment passes it would save the state $130 million annually.
9. Requiring voter ID (Minnesota): The state will decide if voters in future elections will be required to show a government-issued photo ID before voting. The measure also requires that the state make photo IDs available to those without a government-issued ID, at no charge.
10. Religious funding (Florida): If passed, Amendment 8 would allow public funds in Florida to be used by religious organizations that provide public services. The amendment would repeal what is currently known in Florida as the “Blaine Amendment,” which prohibits state funding of religious organizations and religious schools. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.
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I have no problem with state requiring voter ID provided the state provided sufficent time, notice and resources are availible to all potential voters to obtain the appropriate ID. Here in the south, if you were born before World War II in a rural community, you have no birth certificate. If you have a social secuity card, you may not have had to produce a "delayed birth certificate" to get it. If you are elderly or disabled and don't drive or get on airplanes, you may have never had a need to a driver's license. Though obtaining birth certificates and other identification takes time and sometimes money, they are not impossible to obtain. In these cases, the states should have case workers and funds to aid an assist those to get the appropriate documents and should assist getting these people to the appropriate agencies to obtain the proper ID. I think with the request from these case workers, perhaps those who issue copies of birth certificates and delayed birth certificates could wave the fees for one certified copy - thus saving the voter $50. There should be no fee for voter registration identification...hours to obtain such should include a Saturday or two a month. Unlike that in Pennsylvania who's offices provide free voter IDs said that they could provide 80,000 IDs from September 1 through November 1 when the estimated needs were somewhere between 800,000 and a million people would need them. The bottom line is, the state could not provide for the demand in time before the election. Therefore, in my oppinion, the state should wave the id requirement until the state provides adequate resources to give all those who need ID what they need.
I agree. Here in TX my mother (who, unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago) would not have been able to vote. She had no birth certificate, we took away her car when her eyesight went bad but never got her a government ID because she didn't need one. She didn't fly, lived in a small town where everyone knew her, had a bank account at the same bank for 50+ years. And TX made no exception for older voters.
These are the same people who fought in WWII. My father fought, my mother wired airplanes. It's a disgrace to disenfranchise any citizen.
If we must have a voter ID then the states must 1) enact the laws with sufficient time that every citizen has time to get one, 2). the state must supply the staff and resources to accommodate everyone applying, 3) accommodations must be made for the elderly and disabled, and 4). Absentee voting must be addressed because that's the only place where any real fraud takes place.
I was just listening to the news about the Republican scandal in FL and the bogus voter registrations. Know how they found them? They were comparing the new forms to the voter registration rolls and found the same people were already registered but with different addresses. Had the people checking not been on their toes these folks would have had their addresses changed and not been allowed to vote. That's NOT just registering ineligible voters, that's a blatant attempt to disenfranchise people who have been voting and have valid registrations. In my opinion that is a true ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE ELECTION.
Everyone needs to check your registration, just because this was caught in FL doesn't mean they caught all of them nor that it isn't happening elsewhere.
Sheesh, are we going to become a country where the UN needs to put in election watchers? It's sad that the Republican Party will go to any lengths to win. But it is equally obvious that they will.
I suppose you have forgotten the group called ACORN ?? I suppose you also have forgotten the buses and buses of African Americans that were brought in to assure "history" was made. Well it has been, and it has nothing to do with color. Historical debt, historical gay marriage backing, historical gas prices, historical welfare rolls....the list goes on...
Uh, pastor... have you forgotten "Thou shalt not bear false witness?"
Hey they left out GMO labeling, Californias prop 37, it would make users of gmos to label products containing same. No Brainer, if you don't want unknown ingredients in then vote for labeling, Euro has banned their use so lets get with it!!!
Barry the "weed puffer" is totally in love with his own image. This guy has a ego bigger than his fat head. Also two other losers Plouffe and Axlehead remind me of the kids that got beat up and lost their lunch money! Here are the losers who expect the people to give them another 4 years to backroom deals, massive debt, massive welfare and no future for you and your children.
Obozo can not run on his record and he can wipe that silly looking smile off his mug because everyone has his number on how all he has is BS and smoke and mirrors. His diversion tactics are not working for the american people who can see right through his BS. He may have the young college crowd going for him again because they want that student loan deferred so you and I can pay their bill. Besides what good is that PHD or MBA when their are only jobs at Mickey D's or waiting on tables.
The jobs that are going to be coming when Romney wins are the manufacturing jobs and technical jobs where the degree in animal husbandry and liberal journalism won't get it! Of course the lawyer jobs and lobbyist jobs are always there if the demorats are in power.
Women also have figured out that is all about jobs and not contraception! Sandra Fluke should consider taking one of the spots on the liberal media shows maybe Andrea Mitchel's worthless job. Matt lauer's job could be taken up by George Lopez because you don't have to be too bright to do his job either!
Obozo may have convinced a lot of far left liberal nuts that he is god's gift to the world, however, rational people are not buying his BS! Barry it is time for you to go back to one of the liberal universities and this time get a real education. I would suggest wood shop!!~
Well Rick lets use some facts huh, Congress did not pass Obamas jobs bill or anything else therefore who is to blame? Congress who held up budget to lower the credit rating. They also did not pass the vets bill answer why!!!! These jokers know you might not figure it out, which it seems like they were right. Stop blaming and get in and try to fix what problems the nation has and stop being a slacker.
Ok American voters ask yourself in Nov the following:
Is this country stronger or weaker in the eyes of the world?
Are we weaker economically?
Are we respected by our enemy because of our military power?
Has the current president created more debt and more division of its people?
Did you get the transparency the president promised?
If you were president and the terrorists attacked our embassy and killed 4 americans would you have gone to Vegas to campaign?
If you were the commander-in-chief and president would you have given a time table for withdrawl of our troops so the enemy would know it?
If president and after thousands of american lives were lost in the fighting in Iraq would you have made certain you would have gotten a status of forces agreement signed with Iraq?
If you were president would you have lied about the attack in Libya being a small uprising because of a video?
Do you think the current president is a socialist and a liar? Do you think if Iran attacked Israel the president would call this a small uprising and then fly to Vegas or go rub elbows with the pimp with the limp or appear on a TV show?
If you still think the current loser who has made us the laughing stock of the whole world deserves to be re-elected because it was not his fault and Bush has caused all of the problems, then you should vote for him!
Rick Colo-are you referring to Mitt who went overseas and insulted at least 3 countries. Or when he commented on an Embassy being attacked and not knowing the severity of the issues criticizes them for apologizing? Or when caught on tape insulting 47% of this nations Americans? On........Try the" trees are the right height".
Live in Washington - NO on both!
Why? Because you don't want other people to be happy?
You did not report accurately on Proposition 32 here in California-it prohibits unions but Real Estate Developers, insurance companies and billionaire venture capitalists (business SuperPacs) are exempt.
It seems after finding fraud in other places that registered voters by Strategic Allied Consulting the Republican party has decided to stop registering anyone in Neveda, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. Knowing that Nathan Sproul had problems in 2004 he was asked to change his name when they hired him and paid him $3 million. Also caught on tape is a young woman who said she was working with the county clerks office explained that she took only Republican voters. Even more outrageous is when a call center volunter for Mitt left a message on a possible voters answering machine said ,"do not vote for Obama because he is a Muslim". So lets not say Acorn did it.
Rick Colo-Who do you blame for not passing the Vets Job Corp Act when the 4 Republicans, John Boozman, Mike Johanns, Richard Burr, and Pat Toomey were co-sponsors but voted "no". S.3457 was $19 billion paid for to help with unemployment of veterans but was filibustered once again by the "no party". The party can find and vote for wars to fight but can't support those who served this country.
Of course they cannot because the retardican party has no heart or soul. They have no morals and what values they have are focused on denying rights to people rather than extending rights. Anyone who votes republican should be ashamed of themselves. Their party is so conservative on social issues they may as well call themselves the christian taliban. BAN ALL religious organizations from donating to politics or talking about political issues!!!