Election 2008: Surge of social issues on the ballot
Most people have heard of Proposition 8, which may ban gay marriage in California, but what about the 152 ballot proposition that voters will be deciding on in November?
As of mid-October, voters in 36 states are set to decide on a large number of initiatives which are mostly social in nature. These propositions are likely to garner national attention because they could impact policy nationwide. Unfortunately, far too many voters aren’t aware of these statewide ballot measures and the importance of their vote.
Gay Marriage has been a hot topic since February 2004 when the Supreme Court of Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage. Hostile reactions followed from citizen groups and legislatures alike, who rushed to place constitutional amendments on their respective ballots to prevent the same from happening in their states. As a result of these efforts, 29 states now define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This election, California, Arizona and Florida voters will consider constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, but the Golden State’s Proposition 8 is exceptional.
If voters reject Proposition 8, it will be the first significant popular affirmation of the idea that gays have the right to marry. Interestingly, California was one of the first states to approve a ban on gay marriage (in 2000 when voters approved Proposition 22 by a large margin but this initiative was overturned by the Supreme Court in May) and the state has been a trendsetter in the past when it comes to various top-billing issues including the environment. As a result, a victory in the Golden State could position gay marriage supporters as forward-looking and cast their opponents as defenders of a fading world view.
Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in American politics. The 1974 Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision did little to settle debates over the topic, and now that the Court is dominated by conservative justices, some believe a reversal of the decision is imminent. Pro-life activists have labored to give the Court a chance to rule on this issue with Colorado and South Dakota leading the way by placing an abortion ban on this year’s ballot. On a worthy note, Colorado’s Amendment 48 does not mention abortion, but rather defines a “person” as a human being from the point of fertilization, and thus would make abortion equivalent to murder.
Affirmative Action initiatives in Colorado and Nebraska may inject race into the national debate by banning many affirmative action programs. The measures simply say: The state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any group or individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin I the operation of public employment, public contracting, or public education.”
Animal rights issues have been thrown into the spotlight by the green movement and the now well-documented damaging effects of factory farming on the environment and the food we consume. California’s Proposition 2 is a constitutional amendment that would require minimum living space for farm animals, including calves, egg-laying hens, and pregnant pigs. Florida led the way with a similar measure in 2002 and Arizona followed in 2006.
Other animal friendly propositions include:
- Question 3 in Massachusetts would ban commercial dog racing in the state by 2010;
- Alaska’s Ballot Measure 2 asks voters to illegalize aerial hunting of bears wolves, and wolverines.
But one initiative has animal rights supporters on the defensive: Oklahoma’s Question 742 would establish a state constitutional right to hunt and fish.
For a fantastic rundown of any and all 2008 ballot measures, check out Ballotpedia.
And, if you're still undecided, visit Transparent Democracy to see how people and organizations you trust recommend you vote.
Sources:
Initiative and Referendum Institute
National Conference of State Legislatures
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