Local ballots and elections

Shadow Dragon · Nov 5, 2012

Even though it gets most of the attention, there's a lot more to the election today than just the federal positions up for grabs.

What are some of the big ballot questions and local positions on the line? And, for later today, what were the results?

The Maryland, there are four big ones.

Question 4: Maryland's version of the dream act. Illegal immigrants that live in Maryland will get in state tuition fees rather than the more expensive out of state tuition fees.

I'll be voting for this. If they aren't disrupting the community and paying taxes, I don't care where the person original comes from or how they got there.

Question 5: Congressional redistricting. In short, Maryland has some really gerrymanded district lines, really helping out the democrats. Which, even non-partisan groups have objected to.

I'm a bit torn on this one. I'm against governors helping out their party to this extreme with the way they draw up the congressional districts. But at the same time, the governor and senate were voted into office and handed this power by the people of Maryland. If they don't like it, vote for someone else next time. I think I'll end up voting for it, meaning to keep the district lines as Gov. O'Malley drew them.

Question 6: Legalizing same sex marriage. Well, technically voting to keep it legal after the state government has already legalized it. Because putting people's civil rights up to a popular vote is the cool thing to do apparently.

Obviously, I'm voting for this.

Question 7: Expanding gambling in Maryland to include table top games and the construction of a world class hotel/casino. I fucking despise this one. Not because of the ballot itself, but because both sides of the argument have been spamming the media (tv, youtube, and radio). I saw ads for and against this every day.

Anyways, I'm for the legalization of gambling in general. I get the morality argument but the state can't protect people from all the vices and this is one where they shouldn't even try. Also, the ads against are mainly funded by West Virginian casinos that just don't want the competition. I'll be voting for this.

RichardGarfinkle · Nov 6, 2012

In Illinois there's a ballot iniitiative to let Chicago directly bargain with multiple electrical suppliers for better rates overall. But with an opt out provision so individuals can make their own deals if they'd rather.

Alessandra Kelley · Nov 6, 2012

RichardGarfinkle said:
In Illinois there's a ballot iniitiative to let Chicago directly bargain with multiple electrical suppliers for better rates overall. But with an opt out provision so individuals can make their own deals if they'd rather.

Which might have something to do with all the strange energy company phone calls and the door-to-door switch-to-our-energy-company salespeople of the past summer. Or they could just be spammers.

I personally love the idea of collective bargaining for energy rates, since whenever individuals are left to individually deal with market forces they tend to get fastened in a torquewise fashion. Also, our suburbs have been doing this for years.

shadowwalker · Nov 6, 2012

I'm ashamed to say that Minnesota has a marriage "protection" amendment up for vote, defining marriage as one man/one woman (and the political ads for it have tried to make it into a voter's rights deal, of all things). Also a voter ID amendment.

Oh, HHH, where are you when we need you?!?

Alpha Echo · Nov 6, 2012

In VA, we only have 2 questions. One...something about postponing the veto session so it doesn't start on a holiday. So Congress can not worry and have their ridiculously long paid vacation time. Ugh. I think I'll vote against that.

The second one is about eminent domain and the government's ability to take private property. The proposed bill denies them that right. I have to agree. Sure, they give "fair market value" but some people have land that means a lot more than the fair market value. Sure, the government may be taking the land for the good of the community...or not. So I vote for the bill. They shouldn't be able to force someone to give up their land, especially when it's bought and paid for, when the family has been working that piece of land for generations. Owning a slab land is the American Dream, right? The government shouldn't be able to take that away.

ETA: SD - I grew up in MD and wish I could vote for Question 6! We've seen a few commercials for it here - for the bill actually. (But we've seen many more for Question 7. Ugh...though I'd vote for it.)

My husband told me this morning there are three states I think with legalizing weed on the ballot. Colorado was one I think?

Lyv · Nov 6, 2012

In Massachusetts, I am voting for the legalization of medical marijuana (and will weep if it does not pass) and for physician-assisted suicide. Though the latter isn't a great bill--you apparently get a prescription for 100 Seconal, which you dissolve in water and drink--but it's better than nothing.

Opty · Nov 6, 2012

There's also a good chance, based on whether or not the Dems retain control of the Senate and by how much, that today's election could have a major impact on obstructionism by way of increasing the chances for filibuster reform.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...1ceead0-238b-11e2-ac85-e669876c6a24_blog.html

Aquarius · Nov 6, 2012

In New Jersey, we only have two on our ballots:

1) Voters determine whether to approve $750 million in borrowing for construction at state colleges and universities - I'm not a big fan of borrowing, since we are still in the hold but some of our smaller state college/universities could use a upgrade.

2) constitutional amendment to require sitting judges to contribute more to their pension and health benefits - I'm probably going to click yes for this one. Its my opinion that they are hardly hurting for money and can pay out a little bit more.

I'm still thinking about both though as I'm sitting at work and hoping that the school next to where I'm staying is going to take a provisional ballot. Thanks, Hurricane Sandy!

icerose · Nov 6, 2012

We have two, which is joint severance for taxes and property tax exemption for active duty military members serving abroad.

I thought I was all registered to vote, but apparently my registration has been revoked due to the fact we bought a house this year and the DMV doesn't agree with our address. Now it's too late. I wish they would have sent the notification before today. Because then I could have taken in the paperwork.
:e2cry:

I'm waiting for the day when we can all vote online from the comfort of our homes and that everyone has an equal right to vote not just those who got all the t's crossed and i's dotted 30 days in advance with proper ID all in place.

I'll be ready for them next time.

RichardGarfinkle · Nov 6, 2012

One more on the Illinois ballot that I didn't know about until just now when I voted: An initiative to require a 3/5 vote of the Illinois Legislature to increase any pension.

mayqueen · Nov 6, 2012

I got a letter about the collective bargaining for electricity. Not sure what to make of it and not finding much to make me feel confident about a vote either way.

Pension reform is also up for vote in Illinois.

Chrissy · Nov 6, 2012

In Florida:

(1) They asked me for photo ID but didn't need to see my voter registration card, which I have always guarded with my life. Sheesh.

(2) I wrote in SpongeBob (inspired by an AW member) for any candidate who was running uncontested

(3) There were a zillion proposed amendments. I voted no on pretty much everything except increased homestead exemptions for military and increase in the threshold for the tangible personal property tax (which is a really, really stupid tax, imo).

(4) Of special note, I voted no to exclude abortion from publicly funded medical services. :thankyou:

No really, thanks to AW, I've completely changed my mind on that issue--from a legal standpoint, anyway.

shadowwalker · Nov 7, 2012

Minnesota redeemed itself. It became the first state to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. (It's still illegal, but now that law can be repealed.) We also defeated the voter ID amendment.

Couple that with Obama and I'm a pretty happy camper today.

Tanatra · Nov 7, 2012

Surely it's already been mentioned in another topic by now, but Proposition 37 (the labeling of GMO Foods) failed in California:

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2...no-on-37-flawed-proposition-on-food-labeling/

Although I agreed with it in principle, it was probably for the best that it didn't pass, given how poorly written it was. As drafted, it would have likely resulted in higher food prices across the board , if it did pass, you can bet that Monsanto would use their considerable influence in ensuring that happens, to turn public opinion against it.

Gregg · Nov 7, 2012

Wisconsin went for Obama and elected a very liberal Democrat to the US Senate.
However, the GOP regained control of the State Senate and increased its majority in the State Assembly.
Go figure.

Shadow Dragon · Nov 7, 2012

For Maryland, the Dream Act passed, the Congressional redistricting will stay the same, the expansion of gambling has passed, and the state government's decision to legalize same sex marriage passed. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Local ballots and elections

Shadow Dragon

RichardGarfinkle

Nurture Phoenixes

Alessandra Kelley

Sophipygian

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

Alpha Echo

I should be writing.

Lyv

I meant to do that.

Opty

Aquarius

Got the hang of it, here

icerose

Lost in School Work

RichardGarfinkle

Nurture Phoenixes

mayqueen

practical experience, FTW

Chrissy

Bright and Early for the Daily Race

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

Tanatra

Burning Bright

Gregg

Life is good

Shadow Dragon