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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Ballot Measure Roundup

Posted by DavidNYC

According to the Initiative & Referendum Institute (PDF), there are 194 propositions on ballots in 32 states this year, up from 162 in 2004. Though the topic hasn't received nearly as much attention this year, anti-gay marriage measures are up for a vote in eight states in November (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia,
and Wisconsin - Alabama approved a gay marriage ban in June). On the flipside, there's a Colorado referendum on a measure which would create "domestic partnerships" for same-sex couples, which I&R says would accord the same rights as marriage.

The other major issue this year is eminent domain. The right sure picked an attractive test case with Kelo, and probably won more in losing that case, given the purported outrage it sparked. While I know many liberals were sympathetic to the plaintiffs in Kelo, the evisceration of eminent domain is really just one step in the radical rightist plan to undermine all government powers. I don't really mean to get into a debate on eminent domain here - just to point out that thirteen states are now trying to restrict the use of eminent domain.

Anyhow, check out the I&R report if you're interested in more details - it's both clear and comprehensive, listing every single measure in every state.

Posted at 01:49 AM in 2006 Elections | Technorati

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Comments

Thanks for bringing up ballot initiatives, it reminds me of something I'd been wondering...
Why haven't the Dems tried to use minimum wage ballot initiatives in the same way as the republicans use gay marraige and the like? It seems to me that minimum wage initiatives would provide a huge turnout boost among lower income voters, as well as make them think of economic issues - winning issues for us - in the voting booth.

Posted by: Kalil at September 26, 2006 03:33 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Looking at the report you linked, it looks like we got minimum wage initiatives on the ballot in 6 states, including 3 of our first tier senate races - Missouri, Ohio, and Montana (the others are Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada).
There are 9 gay marraige amendments on the ballots this year - including in Tennessee and Virginia - and 13 eminent domain initiatives.
Looks like one more place where we've got some work to do...

Posted by: Kalil at September 26, 2006 03:40 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Thanks for warning readers about these so-called "eminent domain protection" measures.

Here in California, Proposition 90 is being sold as "stop eminent domain," but it's actually far more insidious and dangerous. It would change the California Constitution so that ANY government regulation that merely decreases the value of property will be considered a "taking" that would require just compensation. Therefore, zoning laws, rent control, environmental protection -- anything -- would require the government to reimburse the property owner.

Prop 90 was funded by an out-of-state millionaire. It's far and away the most dangerous thing on the ballot this year.

Posted by: Paul Hogarth at September 26, 2006 11:28 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment