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[Poltergust]

We all know that there's more to Election Day than the presidential vote. In addition to voting people into federal, state, and local position, each state has their own very important ballot measures for the electorate to also decide on. So, describe what measures your state has and how and why you're voting Yes or No for them.

Here in Florida, we have 4 proposed Amendments that will be voted on on Election Day.

Amendment 1:

This amendment establishes a right under Florida's constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.

I'm voting NO for this. This may all seem well and good at first glance, but it is in fact a trick to get people to allow legislators to impose fees on people who have their own solar equipment, completely eliminating net metering and defeating the point of owning solar equipment in the first place. This amendment actually does not grant any extra rights to individual citizens, which is what makes it so devious.

This will allow energy companies to essentially have complete control over solar power because they don't want private citizens to produce their own electricity. This absolutely cannot happen. If you live in Florida, please spread the word on this deception and explain what this amendment will actually do.

Moving on...

Amendment 2:

Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Voting YES on this for extremely evident reasons. It's infuriating that this amendment did not pass in 2014 despite obtaining a majority of YESes, because under Florida law any ballot measure needs to obtain >60% of the total vote in order to pass.

Amendment 3:

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize a first responder, who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty, to receive relief from ad valorem taxes assessed on homestead property, if authorized by general law. If approved by voters, the amendment takes effect January 1, 2017.

Voting YES because I have empathy.

Amendment 5:

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to revise the homestead tax exemption that may be granted by counties or municipalities for property with just value less than $250,000 owned by certain senior, low-income, long-term residents to specify that just value is determined in the first tax year the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2017, and applies retroactively to exemptions granted before January 1, 2017.

Voting YES because why not.

Yeah, the biggest issue in my state is definitely going to be Amendment 1. I can't imagine most people voting YES for it once they know what the purpose of it is.

 

[Regiruler]

I should probably look that up.

Any agreement or combination between any employer and any labor union or labor organization whereby nonmembers of the union or organization are denied the right to work for the employer, or whereby such membership is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or whereby any such union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any enterprise, is against public policy and constitutes an illegal combination or conspiracy and is void.

Hm, doesn't seem very complicated.

 

[tearsofash]

I just moved here and don't even know what's on the ballot.

 

[Regiruler]

You don't need to sign up for anything else to vote for any local seats that are being elected that day, right? It's included with the ballot?

 

[Dishwalla]

There was three bonds on my ballot, one was for a sports complex, one was for more funding for the libraries, and I can't remember the third one but it was along the same lines as the first two. Voted yes for all three.

 

[Poltergust]

I should probably look that up.

Hm, doesn't seem very complicated.

Just look up summaries done in layman's terms lol. It's important to know what you're actually voting on.

 

[Fatalah]

But half of the fun of election day is being presented measures for the first time and frantically making a decision while in the booth!

 

[Regiruler]

Just look up summaries done in layman's terms lol. It's important to know what you're actually voting on.

It wasn't sarcasm at all, it's a very straightforward measure. It's basically making it illegal to have union membership be a prerequisite for employment. I'm pretty sure other states have similar laws.

Probably going to vote yes.

 

[Crayons]

Zero statewide ballot measures are certified to appear on the New York ballot on November 8, 2016.

New York does not allow any form of citizen initiated ballot measures

Guess I'm not voting for any ballot measures

 

[Yaboosh]

There's 15 in California, including marijuana legalization.

That I'll be voting for.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Arizona here.

Prop 205 legalizes recreational marijuana.
Prop 206 increase the minimum wage to $12 and guarantee paid sick leave

 

[jiggle]

The marijuana one

 

[Spiritreaver]

The main ones I'm focused on here in OK are

779 - Increase sales tax for education
780 - Drug possesion reclassified as misdemeanor
792 - Allow grocery/convenience stores to sell strong beer and wine

There's also a right to farm question, but I don't understand that issue well enough. Also a death penalty one, but that's a no brainer.

 

[RastaMentality]

There's 15 in California, including marijuana legalization.

That I'll be voting for.

yes, marijuana, death penalty, non violent offenders, condoms in porn, and plastic bags too.

 

[Lazy vs Crazy]

1 allows the state to give a license for a new slots parlor. I guess I'll vote for this?
2 authorizes the creation of 12 additional charter schools per year. Hard no on this.
3 is an animal protection law, voting yes here.
4 is legalization of recreational marijuana. Has been decriminalized here for years, so this will really just make it safer. Yes.

 

[Sanjuro]

In MA, it appears there are four ballots.

1. Expanding slot machine gambling parlors
2. Charter school expansion
3. Prohibiting farm animal containment
4. Legalizing marijuana for 21+

I'm liking going Yes, No, No,

 

[BitStyle]

Nice write-up on the Florida ballot measures, OP!
I'm pretty much mirroring your picks. Hopefully Amendment 2 will pass this time, and people wont be fooled by Amendment 1.

 

[Poltergust]

yes, marijuana, death penalty, non violent offenders, condoms in porn, and plastic bags too.

Explain please.

 

[Frozenprince]

Here in Mass I'm voting yes on every Prop.

Prop 1 is gambling, it's a slot allowance so it's not anything major.

Prop 2 is Charter schools, allowing 12 more and more open enrollment capabilities.

Prop 3 is animal containment and ethics which prohibits ethically dubious animal containment methods on farms.

And Prop 4 is weed so obviously.

I'm really upset that the ballot initiative guaranteeing state wide 8 weeks paid maternity leave didn't even make the ballot though.

 

[Hip Hop]

Arizona here.

Prop 205 legalizes recreational marijuana.
Prop 206 increase the minimum wage to #12 and guarantee paid sick leave

.

 

[RastaMentality]

Explain please.

A "yes" vote would be a vote in favor of requiring the use of condoms and other protective measures during the filming of pornographic films, as well as requiring pornography producers to pay for certain health requirements and checkups.

A "no" vote would be a vote against requiring the use of condoms and other safety measures during the filming of pornographic films.

https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_60,_Condoms_in_Pornographic_Films_(2016)

 

[Eblo]

As far as I can tell, there seem to be no statewide measures in Ohio. There's nothing terribly interesting for my town or county either, just tax levy renewals. guess i should do eeny meeny miny moe when voting on them

 

[VeryGooster]

In NJ one question is about putting casinos in north Jersey which I'm probably voting no on. The other is using taxes from diesel fuel for the Transportation fund. That's a yes probably.

 

[Poltergust]

A "yes" vote would be a vote in favor of requiring the use of condoms and other protective measures during the filming of pornographic films, as well as requiring pornography producers to pay for certain health requirements and checkups.

A "no" vote would be a vote against requiring the use of condoms and other safety measures during the filming of pornographic films.

https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_60,_Condoms_in_Pornographic_Films_(2016)

This is so strange to me. I had no idea state legislatures could pass that kind of law. Would this law ban pornography that has no condom usage?

(I also highly doubt it will pass, all things considered.)

 

[Fragamemnon]

Nothing on the NC ballot this year, which is fine. Would have liked a 'eject the current general assembly right into the sun' amendment but sadly that's not on the ballot.

 

[Meowster]

Missouri has like three different new provisions on adding taxes to Tobacco and I think they will all pass. Its gross that cigarettes are so cheap here compared to the rest of the country.

How do you look into the judges and stuff? I know who I'm voting for from President to Sheriff but how do you research this stuff?

 

[Grizzlyjin]

Some boring ass mandatory retirement age for judges. Changes the retirement age from 70 to 75. Zzzzzzzz

 

[vainya]

I'm in NJ and we have two ballot initiatives this year:

1. Expand Casinos to two Counties in Northern NJ
2. Dedicate all of our newly raised gas tax to the completely bare Transportation Trust Fund

I am voting no on the Casino one. They don't specify the counties (I believe a casino would be coming to Newark and I don't want it there) or who is going to pay for these casinos if they fail. I don't need to pay for more Atlantic City bailouts.

I am voting yes to the second one because I don't want any more train crashes like the one in Hoboken. I'm voting for anything that expands public transportation and takes care of roads and capital rail projects.

 

[The Lone Courier]

Legalize it.

 

[Nepenthe]

Shout out to the OP for making this thread because in the whirlwind of election madness, I wasn't thoughtful about what our measures would be. I'm in Georgia, and our amendments are:

Amendment 1 addresses state intervention in public schools found to be "chronically failing."

Voting No. The idea is to turn the control of these schools entirely over to a single superintendent who directly serves the governor (Deal) who can then basically do as they please with them without regard for what the parent and teachers associations have to say about them.

Amendment 2 addresses generating revenue for the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund.

Voting Yes. Self-explanatory.

Amendment 3 addresses replacing the Judicial Qualifications Commission

Voting No. They're trying to abolish an independent judicial watchdog agency and replace it with something more favorable.

Amendment 4 addresses the allocation of revenue generated from the sale of fireworks.

Voting Yes. The revenue will go towards trauma centers and fire protection services.

 

[Lord Frieza]

TN doesn't have any. We don't give a shit.

 

[ghostofsparta]

yes, marijuana, death penalty, non violent offenders, condoms in porn, and plastic bags too.

I was a little iffy about condoms in porn. I mean sounds healthier but who am I to tell some people fucking to put on a condom?

 

[bigkrev]

NJ, voting "fuck no" on casinos (we might as well turn Atlantic City into a prison colony or something if that passes), and haven't decided on the second one regarding gas tax money, but am leaning towards yes on that

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Also a death penalty one, but that's a no brainer.

Yes, I want mass executions and blood in the streets!

 

[catbird]

Also from NJ. The gambling ballot is not thought out. There are no details other than 2 mysterious counties get a casino. No thanks.

Voting yes for requiring gas taxes to go to transportation fund. If it passes, the tax funds could be used for other projects with a vote. This will help with gas tax creep.

 

[xxracerxx]

Oregon:

Measure 94 would repeal the mandatory judicial retirement age, which is currently 75 years old.

Result of “Yes” Vote: “Yes” vote amends constitution, state judges not required to retire from judicial office after turning 75 years old. Statutes cannot establish mandatory retirement age.

Result of “No” Vote: “No” vote retains constitutional provisions requiring state judges to retire from judicial office after turning 75 years old, authorizing statutes establishing lesser mandatory retirement age.

Measure 95 would allow public state universities to invest in equities.

Result of 'Yes' Vote: 'Yes' vote allows public universities to invest in equities to reduce financial risk and increase funds available to help students.

Result of 'No' Vote: 'No' vote prevents public universities from investing in equities.

Measure 96 would devote 1.5 percent of state lottery net proceeds toward veterans' services.

Result of “Yes” Vote: “Yes” vote dedicates 1.5% of state lottery net proceeds to fund veterans’ services, including assistance with employment, education, housing, and physical/mental health care.

Result of “No” Vote: No” vote retains current list of authorized purposes for spending state lottery net proceeds; 1.5% dedication to fund veterans’ services not required.

Measure 97 would raise corporate taxes on businesses with annual sales that exceed $25 million.

Result of 'Yes' Vote: 'Yes' vote increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25 million; removes tax limit; exempts "benefit companies"; increased revenue funds education, healthcare, senior services.

Result of 'No' Vote: 'No' vote retains existing corporate minimum tax rates based on Oregon sales; tax limited to $100,000; revenue not dedicated to education, healthcare, senior services.

Measure 98 would require state funding for dropout-prevention and career and college readiness programs in Oregon high schools.

Result of “Yes” Vote: “Yes” vote requires state legislature to fund dropout prevention, career and college readiness programs through grants to Oregon high schools; state monitors programs.

Result of “No” Vote: “No” vote retains current law: legislature not required to commit funds to career-technical/college-level education/dropout-prevention programs, retains discretion to allocate funds.

Measure 99 would create an "Outdoor School Education Fund," sourced from state lottery proceeds, to support outdoor school programs.

Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote creates separate fund, financed through Oregon Lottery Economic Development Fund and administered by Oregon State University (OSU), to provide outdoor school programs statewide.

Result of "No" Vote: "No" vote rejects creation of fund to provide outdoor school programs statewide; retains current law under which OSU administers outdoor school grants if funding available.

Measure 100 would prohibit the sale of products from and parts of 12 species of endangered animals.

Result of “Yes” Vote: "Yes" vote prohibits purchase/sale of parts/products from certain wildlife species; exceptions for specified activities, gift/inheritances, and certain antiques/musical instruments; civil penalties.

Result of “No” Vote: Maintains current Oregon law which does not prohibit purchase or sale of parts or products from species not native to Oregon, except for shark fins.

Measure 97 is the big one.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Alert for California voters:

Vote YES on Proposition 61.

California's state proposition system is a hilarious mess but sometimes important ones show up. This is one of the important ones. It will pave the way for actual meaningful price controls on prescription drugs in this country.

 

[xxracerxx]

Alert for California voters:

Vote YES on Proposition 61.

Yeah, Prop 61 is big for California.

A "yes" vote supports regulating drug prices by requiring state agencies to pay the same prices that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays for prescription drugs.

A "no" vote opposes this measure regulating drug prices by requiring state agencies to pay the same prices that the VA pays for prescription drugs.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Looks like the Texas legislature does not have a regular meeting in 2016, so there are no ballot initiatives on the ballot this year.

 

[Tagyhag]

I was a little iffy about condoms in porn. I mean sounds healthier but who am I to tell some people fucking to put on a condom?

Let's just say that if it passes, porn is pretty much done in California.

And it's not exactly a small industry either.

Look at what Measure B did to LA County.

In December, after the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the measure, it was announced that applications for permits for pornographic productions has reduced by 95%

 

[xxracerxx]

If you don't know what ballots are up for vote this year in your state head here:

Ballotpedia: 2016 Ballot Measures

 

[chaosblade]

Biggest one in Alabama seems to be constitutionalizing "right to work" and further weakening unions. Voting against that.

Another is more localized ballot measures. Instead of local issues getting voted on by the entire state they would be voted on by the constituents that would be directly affected. Sounds fine to me and it would simplify the ballot since most of the 15 initiatives are local.

There is also one to lock in state park funds so they can't be reallocated for other uses. Apparently the state has been gutting their funding in recent years and some parks have shut down because of it, so this sounds like a good thing.

Last potentially noteworthy one is giving county commissions more power. Don't know much about it.