As just about everyone on the planet knows, after a campaign that has seen a joint total raised of more than $2 billion, the American public will choose a president on Tuesday, November 6.
As important as the quadrennial contest is, much more is at stake.
As they are every two years, all 435 congressional spots are up for grabs. One third of the Senate’s 100 spots are at stake.
Then there are the referenda.
These voter-driven initiatives are taking places in communities, counties and states throughout the country.
We combed through all of them, and found the following so noteworthy we decided to give them awards.
The “Only in LA” Award
Next Tuesday voters in, yes, Los Angeles County will vote on the “County of Los Angeles Safer Sex In The Adult Film Industry Act.” This means they’ll decide whether actors in porn films have to wear condoms or not.
The “Behind the Curve” Award
Sure, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court, but voters in Missouri, Montana and Wyoming have put referenda on ballots to amend their constitutions and fight “Obamacare.” Missouri’s measure would prohibit the governor from establishing a health exchange. Wyoming’s amendment would ban the federal government from compelling people to participate in any health care system. The Montana referendum would allow residents to choose if they want insurance or not.
The “Unfortunately Ahead of the Curve” Award
The Supreme Court will rule in upcoming months about a case involving Abigail Fisher’s not getting into the University of Texas. Like it or not, it could mean the end of affirmative action. Voters in Oklahoma will have already voted on a ballot initiative to create an amendment banning the practice in employment, education and contracting.
The “Cow’s Already Out of the Barn” Award
After sterling coverage by our colleagues at the Chicago Tribune, state legislators are taking up the issue of pension reform — and so are the voters. Sort of. This measure would require a 60 percent vote by the General Assembly, city councils, and school districts that wish to increase the pension benefits of their employees. But it doesn’t say what to do about the multi-billion dollar gap of unfunded pension liability we already have.
The “I Thought We Had This Covered?” Award
Residents of Nebraska and Wyoming are voting to protect hunting and fishing rights. We admit we don’t live there, but it’s not entirely clear to us who is threatening those rights. Meanwhile, voters in Louisiana are choosing whether they have the right to bear arms. Last time we checked that was in the Bill of Rights.
The “We Really Don’t Want You to Have an Abortion” Award
A measure in Florida would prohibit the use of public funds for abortions except as required by federal law and to save the mother’s life. Another in Montana would lead to a state law prohibiting a physician from performing an abortion on a minor under 16 years of age unless a physician notifies a parent or legal guardian of the minor at least 48 hours prior to the procedure.
The “Pass the Dutchie on the (Medical) Side” Award
California wins hands down, with nine cities and counties are considering referendums on the legalization of marijuana. In other states, the measures range from outright legalization in Colorado, Oregon and Washington to a more limited approval of medicinal use in Massachusetts, Montana and Arkansas.
The “Your Papers, Please … ” Award
Montana voters are voting on whether people applying for public services should have to show proof of being in the country legally. On the other hand, Maryland has a ballot question about whether to provide in-state tuition to qualified undocumented immigrants to pay in-state or in-county tuition at Maryland colleges.
The “If at first you don’t succeed … ” Award
Every 20 years the constitution of Ohio automatically requires that voters vote on creating a convention to revise or change the state constitution. They’ve turned it down four times already. It looks like a fifth could happen a week from Tuesday.
The “Marriage is … ” Award
A man and a woman, if the initiative is passed in Minnesota. Or it could be two men or two women, if the voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approve this measure.
The “End of Life as We Know It” Award
There are two very different initiatives here. One in California would outlaw the death penalty, while another in Massachusetts would permit physician-assisted suicide as an end-of-life option. Full disclosure: My father is a physician and active public supporter of the Death with Dignity initiative in Massachusetts.
The “What Are We Really?” Award
In a landslide, goes to Puerto Rico. Voters will once again take up the question of whether they will stay a commonwealth or become a state or sovereign nation in free association with the United States. This is the fourth time Puerto Ricans will be voting on their political status. We’re hoping for a clear result on Tuesday.
The “You’ve Got to Know When to Hold ‘em” Award
The prize goes to Oregon, Rhode Island, and Maryland, all of which are looking to expand gambling options. If the referendums pass, they states would join 40 others in a chaotic and competitive market of gambling operations and tribal facilities.
Co-authored by Azra Halilovic.