In last Tuesday’s election, voters gravitated not only toward conservative candidates, giving the Republicans a majority in both houses of Congress, but they also voted, generally, for the conservative side in statewide referenda. Nevada, for example, passed an initiative banning homosexual marriage. Tax increases in Missouri and Washington State were defeated. Several initiatives to decriminalize marijuana use, or allow "medicinal" marijuana consumption, were turned back. Here are the results of major state ballot measures nationwide.
HOMOSEXUAL 'MARRIAGE'
Gay Marriage Ban
State: Nevada
Result: Approved
Yes: 67%
No:
Description: Forbids state recognition of homosexual "marriages."
ANIMALS
Cruelty to Animals
State: Arkansas
Result: Rejected
Yes: 38%
No: 62%
Description: Impose steep penalty on anyone who "tortures, mutilates, maims" etc. an animal.
Cockfighting
State: Oklahoma
Result: Approved
Yes: 56%
No: 44%
Description: Ban cockfighting.
Pig Crates
State: Florida
Result: Approved
Yes: 55%
No: 45%
Description: Prohibit confining pregnant pigs in cases.
TAXES
Tax Hike
State: Washington
Result: Rejected
Yes: 37%
No: 63%
Description: Increases gas taxes, sales taxes on cars and truck weight fees
Tax Hike
State: Missouri
Result: Rejected
Yes: 49%
No: 51%
Description: Hike tobacco taxes by $0.55 per pack.
Tax Cut
State: Massachusetts
Result: Rejected
Yes: 45%
No: 55%
Description: Abolish state income tax.
SMOKING AND POT
Marijuana
State: Arizona
Result: Rejected
Yes: 43%
No: 57%
Description: Legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Drug Rehab
State: Ohio
Result: Rejected
Yes: 33%
No: 67%
Description: Give treatment instead of jail time to non-habitual drug offenders.
Hemp
State: South Dakota
Result: Rejected
Yes: 38%
No: 62%
Description: Legalize cultivation and use of hemp products.
Smoking
State: Florida
Result: Approved
Yes: 71%
No: 29%
Description: Ban smoking in most public places.
Jury Nullification
State: South Dakota
Result: Rejected
Yes: 22%
No: 78%
Description: Allow criminal defendants to argue against the validity of state laws.
Legal Pot
State: Nevada
Result: Rejected
Yes: 39%
No: 61%
Description: Decriminalize possession of marijuana.
POLITICAL REFORM
Term Limits
State: Idaho
Result: Approved
Yes: 50%
No: 49%
Description: Maintains legislature’s repeal of local term limits.
Voting By Mail
State: Colorado
Result: Rejected
Yes: 41%
No: 59%
Description: Require most elections held after 2004 to be conducted by mail.
Voting
State: Colorado
Result: Rejected
Yes: 38%
No: 62%
Description: Let voters register and vote on election day
Voting
State: California
Result: Rejected
Yes: 39%
No: 61%
Description: Let voters register and vote on election day.
BILINGUAL EDUCATION
English-Only
State: Colorado
Result: Rejected
Yes: 44%
No: 56%
Description: End bilingual education but allow opt outs and lawsuits.
English-Only
State: Massachusetts
Result: Approved
Yes: 68%
No: 32%
Description: End bilingual education.
EDUCATION
Pre-K
State: Florida
Result: Approved
Yes: 59%
No: 41%
Description: Creates a voluntary, universal pre-kindergarten program.
Class Sizes
State: Florida
Result: Approved
Yes: 53%
No: 47%
Description: Sets a maximum class size for public schools.
Day Care
State: California
Result: Approved
Yes: 57%
No: 43%
Description: Sets minimum level for state spending for after-school programs.
HEALTH
Health Care
State: Oregon
Result: Rejected
Yes: 21%
No: 79%
Description: Adopt a single-payer, state-run health care system.
Food Labeling
State: Oregon
Result: Rejected
Yes: 28%
No: 72%
Description: Require labeling of genetically engineered foods.
