WEEKLY WHINE
Guide to 2016 US ballot measures
The United States votes on TUE 08 NOV 2016. If you live in the United States, you should vote on that day, or earlier if your locality supports such.
All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election, as are 34 seats in the US Senate, twelve state governors’ seats, nearly 6,000 seats in state legislatures, a huge array of local seats in all three branches of government, 156 state and federal district ballot measures, and innumerable local ballot measures.
So if you are a likely voter in a state or federal district, what sorts of ballot measures do you have to look forward to? As it turns out, the answer is most probably “bonds”, “minimum wage”, “more bonds”, “marijuana”, “something that will actually have the opposite effect of what its sponsors claim”, and “the NRA needlessly shoving hunting and fishing rights into state constitutions”.
So what should you do? Spend time researching the various ballot measures in your state, analyse the arguments for and against, look up where the money for each campaign is coming from, and then come to an informed decision? Yeah, right. That shit is totally for suckers. You should trust our snap judgments instead.
BOND SCOREBOARD
| State | Measure | Purpose | Amount |
|---|
| AK | Ballot Measure 2 | Education | Unlimited |
| CA | Proposition 51 | Education | US$9,000,000,000 |
| ME | Question 6 | Transportation | US$100,000,000 |
| MT | Initiative 181 | Research | US$200,000,000 |
| NM | Bond Question A | Facilities improvement | US$15,440,000 |
| NM | Bond Question B | Libraries | US$10,167,000 |
| NM | Bond Question C | Education | US$142,356,000 |
| NM | Bond Question D | Law enforcement | US$18,196,000 |
| RI | Question 3 | Facilities improvement | US$27,000,000 |
| RI | Question 4 | Education | US$45,500,000 |
| RI | Question 5 | Facilities improvement | US$70,000,000 |
| RI | Question 6 | Environment | US$35,000,000 |
| RI | Question 7 | Housing | US$27,000,000 |
MINIMUM WAGE SCOREBOARD
| State | Measure | Current | Final | Change | Notes |
|---|
| AZ | Proposition 206 | US$8.05/hr | US$12.00/hr | +US$3.95/hr | Paid sick time |
| CO | Amendment 70 | US$8.31/hr | US$12.00/hr | +US$3.69/hr | |
| ME | Question 4 | US$7.50/hr | US$12.00/hr | +US$4.50/hr | |
| SD | Referred Law 20 | US$8.50/hr | US$7.50/hr | –US$1.00/hr | Under 18 years of age |
| WA | Initiative 1433 | US$9.47/hr | US$13.50/hr | +US$4.03/hr | Paid sick time |
ALABAMA
| AL | AMENDMENT 1 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to add two at large members to the board of trustees of Auburn University for diversity, and to stagger the board members’ terms such that no more than three expire in the same calendar year. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 2 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to ban reallocating state park funds for other purposes, and to permit contracting out operation and maintenance of state parks. GoobNet recommends a no vote until Alabamans are given the opportunity to vote on each change individually. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to abolish the constitutional amendment commission and give the power to define local constitutional amendments to the state legislature by unanimous vote. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Alabama finally gets its shit together and puts local measures in local ordinances instead of in the state constitution. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 4 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to devolve powers to county commissions. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 5 | YES | |
| Rewrites Article III of the state constitution for clarity. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 6 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to require a 2/3 vote in the state senate to convict an elected official on impeachment charges. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that an impeachment investigation against sitting governor Robert Bentley is currently underway. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 7 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to give authority over employees of the sheriff’s office of Etowah County to the office’s personnel board rather than the county. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Alabama finally gets its shit together and puts local measures in local ordinances instead of in the state constitution. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 8 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to ban discrimination by employers based upon union membership status. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this is redundant. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 9 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the age limit for the judge of probate of Pickens County from 70 to 75. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Alabama finally gets its shit together and puts local measures in local ordinances instead of in the state constitution. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 10 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to make territory in Calhoun County subject to jurisdiction of municipalities within that county. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Alabama finally gets its shit together and puts local measures in local ordinances instead of in the state constitution. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 11 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit tax increment financing zones. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 12 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to create a governing body for toll roads and bridges in Baldwin County. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Alabama finally gets its shit together and puts local measures in local ordinances instead of in the state constitution. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 13 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to remove age limits on state government officials other than judges. |
| AL | AMENDMENT 14 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit budget isolation resolutions passed by 3/5 of voting members of the state house of representatives, rather than 3/5 of all members present. |
ALASKA
| AK | BALLOT MEASURE 1 | YES | |
| Combines voter registration into the Permanent Fund Dividend application form. |
| AK | BALLOT MEASURE 2 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to authorise bonds to fund student loans. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
ARIZONA
| AZ | PROPOSITION 205 | YES | |
| Legalises recreational marijuana use. |
| AZ | PROPOSITION 206 | YES | |
| Increases the state minimum wage from US$8.05 per hour to US$10 next year and to US$12 by 2020, and establishes the right to paid sick time. |
ARKANSAS
| AR | ISSUE 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to make several changes regarding elected county officials. GoobNet recommends a no vote until Arkansans are given the opportunity to vote on each change individually. |
| AR | ISSUE 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit the governor to continue serving when out of the state. |
| AR | ISSUE 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to remove the cap on general obligation bonds, which is currently 5% of state revenue. |
| AR | ISSUE 6 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to legalise medical use of marijuana. It conflicts with Issue 7, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. |
| AR | ISSUE 7 | | NO |
| Legalises medical use of marijuana by statute. It conflicts with Issue 6, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. GoobNet recommends a no vote on this measure on the grounds that it fails to provide proper regulation. |
CALIFORNIA
| CA | PROPOSITION 51 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of up to US$9,000,000,000 to build and upgrade schools. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 52 | YES | |
| Extends an existing law on hospital fees, and amends the state constitution to require voter approval to divert hospital fees to other purposes. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 53 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to require voter approval for revenue bonds greater than US$2,000,000,000. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this forces local measures to be put on statewide ballots. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 54 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to prevent the state legislature from voting on bills until 72 hours after they are published. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that Charles T Munger Jr has donated more than US$10,000,000 to this measure’s YES campaign and would personally benefit from having more time to lobby lawmakers. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 55 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to extend the state income taxes increases on those earning US$250,000 or more per year for twelve years. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 56 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the state cigarette tax from US87¢ per pack to US$2.87. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 57 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to increase parole opportunities for nonviolent felons, and to give judges rather than prosecutors the authority to decide when juveniles may be tried as adults. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 58 | YES | |
| Repeals a ban on bilingual education. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 59 | YES | |
| Advisory question on whether to support an amendment to the US Constitution to specify that campaign contributions are not protected as free speech. GoobNet recommends a yes vote on the grounds that GoobNet Enterprises, Inc is not a person, even if it did exist. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 60 | YES | |
| Requires the use of condoms in the production of pornographic films, and requires licensing of pornographic film producers by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. GoobNet recommends a yes vote despite the fact that this proposition’s number should have been incremented by nine. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 61 | | NO |
| Regulates prescription drug costs by linking the price paid by state agencies to the price paid by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that a similar federal law regarding Medicaid resulted in pharmaceutical firms raising prices on the VA and fucking over veterans. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 62 | YES | |
| Abolishes capital punishment and replaces it with life without parole. It conflicts with Proposition 66, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 63 | YES | |
| Requires permits for purchasing ammunition, and removes the grandfather clause on ownership of large capacity magazines. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 64 | YES | |
| Legalises recreational marijuana use. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 65 | | NO |
| Allocates revenue from grocery bags to a new fund. It conflicts with Proposition 67, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this measure was placed on the ballot by plastic bag manufacturers. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 66 | | NO |
| Transfers authority for habeas corpus petitions to trial courts rather than appeals courts. It conflicts with Proposition 62, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. GoobNet recommends a no vote and urges Californians to stop killing people, not to kill more people faster. |
| CA | PROPOSITION 67 | YES | |
| Confirms a ban on single use plastic grocery bags. It conflicts with Proposition 65, meaning that if both pass, only the one with more YES votes takes effect. |
COLORADO
| CO | AMENDMENT T | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to ban forcing convicted criminals into unpaid labour. |
| CO | AMENDMENT U | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to create a tax exemption for profits on leased government land when the profits are under US$6,000. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 69 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a state cooperative for health care. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 70 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the state minimum wage from US$8.31 per hour to US$9.30 next year and to US$12 by 2020. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 71 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to change the number of signatures needed to place an initiative on the ballot from 5% of votes cast in the previous general election to 2% of registered voters in all 35 state senate districts, and to change the criteria for passing an amendment from 50% to 55%. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 72 | | NO |
| Increases the state cigarette tax from US84¢ per pack to US$2.59. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 106 | YES | |
| Permits assisted suicide for patients who have a prognosis of six months or less. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 107 | YES | |
| Establishes open primaries for presidential elections. |
| CO | AMENDMENT 108 | | NO |
| Establishes open primaries, but permits political parties to decide not to hold primaries. |
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
| DC | STATEHOOD REFERENDUM | YES | |
| Advisory question on whether to split non-federal lands from the District of Columbia into a new state. |
FLORIDA
| FL | AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to specify the right to produce solar energy, and permit legislation exempting from solar charges individuals who don’t own solar panels. Requires 60% in favour to pass. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this measure was placed on the ballot by electricity firms that burn fossil fuels. |
| FL | AMENDMENT 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to legalise medical use of marijuana. Requires 60% in favour to pass. |
| FL | AMENDMENT 3 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a property tax exemption for first responders disabled in the line of duty. Requires 60% in favour to pass. |
| FL | AMENDMENT 5 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to state that property tax exemptions for senior citizens are awarded based upon the value of the property at the time of application, rather than being reassessed annually. Requires 60% in favour to pass. |
GEORGIA
| GA | AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to create a statewide school district for schools identified as failing. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this authorises the state to turn schools identified as failing into charter schools. |
| GA | AMENDMENT 2 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase assessments on strip clubs and allocate them to a fund for sexually exploited children. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| GA | AMENDMENT 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to abolish the state Judicial Qualifications Commission and replace it with a new commission. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this bill’s sponsors in the state legislature include Johnnie Caldwell Jr, a former judge who resigned after being investigated by the commission. |
| GA | AMENDMENT 4 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to allocate revenue from sales taxes on fireworks to trauma care and fire services. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
HAWAI‘I
Hawai‘i ballot measures require a majority of all voters who cast ballots in order to pass. Blank and invalid votes are therefore equivalent to NO votes.
| HI | AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the threshold for jury trials in civil cases from US$5,000 to US$10,000. GoobNet recommends a no vote until the state of Hawai‘i realises that it needs to tie this threshold to inflation. |
| HI | AMENDMENT 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit excess general fund revenues to pay off bonds and pensions. |
IDAHO
| ID | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 5 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to give the state legislature approval authority over administrative rules. |
ILLINOIS
| IL | TRANSPORTATION TAXES AND FEES LOCKBOX AMENDMENT | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to prohibit allocating transportation funds to other uses. Requires 60% in favour, or a majority of all voters who cast ballots, to pass. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
INDIANA
| IN | PUBLIC QUESTION 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to protect hunting and fishing rights. GoobNet recommends a no vote and severely questions that said rights were ever under threat. |
KANSAS
| KS | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to protect hunting and fishing rights. GoobNet recommends a no vote and severely questions that said rights were ever under threat. |
LOUISIANA
| LA | AMENDMENT 1 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit the legislature to define how the parishes may appoint their registrars of voters, and what qualifications are required. |
| LA | AMENDMENT 2 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to remove legislative oversight over tuitions at state universities. |
| LA | AMENDMENT 3 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to state that federal corporate taxes cannot be deducted for state corporate taxes. |
| LA | AMENDMENT 4 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. |
| LA | AMENDMENT 5 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a transportation fund. |
| LA | AMENDMENT 6 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit surplus budget funds to be applied to the next year’s budget. |
MAINE
| ME | QUESTION 1 | YES | |
| Legalises recreational marijuana use. |
| ME | QUESTION 2 | YES | |
| Increases state income taxes on those earning US$200,000 or more per year. |
| ME | QUESTION 3 | YES | |
| Requires background checks for firearm sales. |
| ME | QUESTION 4 | YES | |
| Increases the state minimum wage from US$7.50 per hour to US$9 next year and to US$12 by 2020. |
| ME | QUESTION 5 | YES | |
| Establishes ranked choice voting for state offices. |
| ME | QUESTION 6 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$100,000,000 for transportation projects. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
MARYLAND
| MD | QUESTION 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to require the state governor to appoint someone of the same political party to fill a vacated state office. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that voters vote for people, not for parties. |
MASSACHUSETTS
| MA | QUESTION 1 | | NO |
| Increases the number of slot machine licenses that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission may issue from one to two. |
| MA | QUESTION 2 | | NO |
| Authorises up to twelve new charter schools per year. |
| MA | QUESTION 3 | YES | |
| Bans the sale of certain animal products produced from animals in confinement. |
| MA | QUESTION 4 | YES | |
| Legalises recreational marijuana use. |
MINNESOTA
Minnesota ballot measures require a majority of all voters who cast ballots in order to pass. Blank and invalid votes are therefore equivalent to NO votes.
| MN | AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to create a board that sets state legislators’ salaries. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that these sorts of boards are never as independent as promised. |
MISSOURI
| MO | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 | | NO |
| Renews .1% state sales and use taxes for ten years, with revenues allocated to state parks and conservation. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
| MO | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish campaign contribution limits for candidates for state and judicial offices. |
| MO | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the state cigarette tax from US17¢ per pack to US77¢ by 2020 and ban the use of revenues to fund tobacco related research. It conflicts with Proposition A, but procedures for handling passage of both measures are undefined. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this measure was placed on the ballot by tobacco manufacturer Reynolds American. |
| MO | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to prohibit state and local legislatures from enacting sales or use taxes on anything that was not taxable on THU 01 JAN 2015. |
| MO | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit the state legislature to require voter identification. |
| MO | PROPOSITION A | | NO |
| Increases the state cigarette tax from US17¢ per pack to US40¢ by 2021. It conflicts with Constitutional Amendment 3, but procedures for handling passage of both measures are undefined. |
MONTANA
| MT | CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE 116 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to specify rights of crime victims. |
| MT | INITIATIVE 177 | YES | |
| Bans the use of animal traps and snares on public lands. |
| MT | INITIATIVE 181 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$20,000,000 per year for ten years for biomedical research. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| MT | INITIATIVE 182 | YES | |
| Repeals the limit of three patients per medical marijuana dispensary. |
NEBRASKA
| NE | REFERENDUM 426 | | NO |
| Repeals a law setting the maximum penalty for first degree murder as life imprisonment, and restores capital punishment. |
NEVADA
| NV | QUESTION 1 | YES | |
| Requires most firearm transfers to go through licensed dealers and subjects them to background checks. |
| NV | QUESTION 2 | YES | |
| Legalises recreational marijuana use. |
| NV | QUESTION 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to deregulate electricity firms. Requires a majority both in this election and in 2018. |
| NV | QUESTION 4 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to exempt prescribed medical equipment from sales and use taxes. Requires a majority both in this election and in 2018. |
NEW JERSEY
| NJ | PUBLIC QUESTION 1 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to authorise up to two new casinos at least 72 miles from Atlantic City. |
| NJ | PUBLIC QUESTION 2 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to allocate revenues from gasoline taxes to transportation projects. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
NEW MEXICO
| NM | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit courts to deny bail when there is evidence that the defendant poses a public threat. |
| NM | BOND QUESTION A | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of up to US$15,440,000 for facilities for senior citizens. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| NM | BOND QUESTION B | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of up to US$10,167,000 for libraries. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| NM | BOND QUESTION C | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of up to US$142,356,000 for education facilities. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| NM | BOND QUESTION D | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of up to US$18,196,000 for public safety improvements. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
NORTH DAKOTA
| ND | CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE 1 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to require state legislators to reside in their districts for the entirety of their terms. |
| ND | CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit allocating excess revenues from oil extraction to education. |
| ND | INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE 3 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to specify rights of crime victims. |
| ND | INITIATED STATUTORY MEASURE 4 | | NO |
| Increases the state cigarette tax from US44¢ per pack to US$2.20 per pack and allocates the revenues to veteran and health services. |
| ND | INITIATED STATUTORY MEASURE 5 | YES | |
| Legalises medical marijuana use. |
OKLAHOMA
| OK | STATE QUESTION 776 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit capital punishment and to assert that it is not cruel or unusual punishment. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 777 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to protect farming and ranching rights. GoobNet recommends a no vote and severely questions that said rights were ever under threat. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 779 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the state sales tax from 4.5% to 5.5% and allocate the resulting revenues for education. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 780 | YES | |
| Changes drug possession to a misdemeanor rather than a felony, and increases the threshold for felony theft or forgery from US$500 to US$1,000. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 781 | | NO |
| Allocates the cost savings from State Question 780 to substance abuse and mental health programmes. Takes effect only if State Question 780 also passes. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 790 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit spending public money for religious purposes. |
| OK | STATE QUESTION 792 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to permit alcohol sales in grocery stores and convenience stores. |
OREGON
| OR | MEASURE 94 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to repeal the mandatory retirement age for state judges, currently 75 years. |
| OR | MEASURE 95 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit state universities to invest in equities. |
| OR | MEASURE 96 | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to allocate 1.5% of the net proceeds from the state lottery to veteran services. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
| OR | MEASURE 97 | YES | |
| Increases corporate taxes on gross sales over US$25,000,000. |
| OR | MEASURE 98 | YES | |
| Establishes a fund for career readiness, college readiness, and dropout prevention programmes. |
| OR | MEASURE 99 | | NO |
| Allocates 4% of the net proceeds from the state lottery to the state Outdoor School programme. GoobNet recommends a no vote and reiterates our opposition to preallocating revenue. |
| OR | MEASURE 100 | YES | |
| Bans the sale of products from twelve specified animals, including cheetahs and sea turtles. |
PENNSYLVANIA
| PA | JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGE AMENDMENT | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 years to 75. |
RHODE ISLAND
| RI | QUESTION 1 | | NO |
| Authorises a casino in Tiverton. Requires a majority in the state overall and in the town of Tiverton in order to pass. |
| RI | QUESTION 2 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to grant the state ethics commission the authority to investigate misconduct charges against legislators relating to their duties, and specifies that the ethics commission must pass rules by 2/3 votes. |
| RI | QUESTION 3 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$27,000,000 for facilities for veterans. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| RI | QUESTION 4 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$45,500,000 for facilities at the University of Rhode Island. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| RI | QUESTION 5 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$70,000,000 for port infrastructure improvements. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| RI | QUESTION 6 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$35,000,000 for state parks and environmental projects. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
| RI | QUESTION 7 | | NO |
| Authorises bonds of US$50,000,000 for affordable housing and urban revitalisation. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this should be funded with current tax money. |
SOUTH DAKOTA
| SD | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT R | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to take postsecondary technical schools out of the state board of regents’s purview. |
| SD | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT S | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to specify rights of crime victims. |
| SD | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT T | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a redistricting commission. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that these sorts of boards are never as independent as promised. |
| SD | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT U | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to cap interest rates for private lenders at 18% unless higher rates are specified in writing. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this measure was placed on the ballot by a payday loan firm, which always specifies higher interest rates in writing. |
| SD | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT V | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish jungle primaries for state offices, in which all candidates enter a single primary, and the two leading candidates advance to the general election. |
| SD | REFERRED LAW 19 | | NO |
| Makes various changes to election procedures. GoobNet recommends a no vote until South Dakotans are given the opportunity to vote on each change individually. |
| SD | REFERRED LAW 20 | | NO |
| Reduces the minimum wage for those under eighteen years of age from US$8.50 per hour to US$7.50. |
| SD | INITIATED MEASURE 21 | YES | |
| Caps interest rates for private lenders at 36%. |
| SD | INITIATED MEASURE 22 | YES | |
| Increases reporting requirements for campaign financing, decreases contribution limits, and establishes a state ethics commission. |
| SD | INITIATED MEASURE 23 | YES | |
| Permits unions and other nonprofit organisations to charge fees for services rendered. |
UTAH
Utah ballot measures require a majority of all voters who cast ballots in order to pass. Blank and invalid votes are therefore equivalent to NO votes.
| UT | AMENDMENT A | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to replace the words “this state” with the words “the state of Utah” in the oath of office for state officials. GoobNet recommends a no vote and wonders who was confused by the present phrasing of the oath. |
| UT | AMENDMENT B | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to limit distributions from the state school fund. |
| UT | AMENDMENT C | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish property tax exemptions on property leased to state or local governments. |
VIRGINIA
| VA | “RIGHT TO WORK” AMENDMENT | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to ban discrimination by employers based upon union membership status. GoobNet recommends a no vote on the grounds that this is redundant. |
| VA | PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF POLICE AND SERVICE PERSONNEL AMENDMENT | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to establish a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. |
WASHINGTON
| WA | INITIATIVE 732 | | NO |
| Establishes a carbon tax and reduces the state sales tax from 6.5% to 5.5%. GoobNet recommends a no vote until Washingtonians are given the opportunity to vote on each change individually. |
| WA | INITIATIVE 735 | YES | |
| Advisory question on whether to support an amendment to the US Constitution to specify that campaign contributions are not protected as free speech. GoobNet recommends a yes vote on the grounds that GoobNet Enterprises, Inc is not a person, even if it did exist. |
| WA | INITIATIVE 1433 | YES | |
| Increases the state minimum wage from US$9.47 per hour to US$13.50 by 2020, and establishes the right to paid sick time. |
| WA | INITIATIVE 1464 | | NO |
| Makes various changes to campaign finance procedures. GoobNet recommends a no vote until Washingtonians are given the opportunity to vote on each change individually. |
| WA | INITIATIVE 1491 | YES | |
| Authorises courts to ban those deemed dangerous to themselves or others from owning or gaining access to firearms. |
| WA | INITIATIVE 1501 | | NO |
| Increases penalties for identity theft and consumer fraud against seniors and at risk individuals, and prevents release of information about caregivers. GoobNet recommends a no vote and will not pretend not to notice that this measure was placed on the ballot by the Service Employees International Union. |
| WA | ADVISORY VOTE 14 | YES | |
| Advisory question on whether an assessment should be placed on family dental plans. |
| WA | ADVISORY VOTE 15 | | NO |
| Advisory question on whether to limit sales tax exemptions for alternative fuel vehicles. |
| WA | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8210 | YES | |
| Amends the state constitution to change the deadline for redistricting from 01 JAN of the second year after a census to 15 NOV of the first year after a census. |
WYOMING
Wyoming ballot measures require a majority of all voters who cast ballots in order to pass. Blank and invalid votes are therefore equivalent to NO votes.
| WY | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT A | | NO |
| Amends the state constitution to permit the state legislature to authorise investing state funds in equities. |
OVERALL SCOREBOARD
| State | YES | NO | Total |
|---|
| Alabama | 3 | 11 | 14 |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Arizona | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Arkansas | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| California | 10 | 7 | 17 |
| Colorado | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Florida | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Georgia | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Hawai‘i | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Idaho | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Illinois | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Indiana | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kansas | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Louisiana | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Maine | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Maryland | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Missouri | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Montana | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Nebraska | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nevada | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| New Mexico | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| North Dakota | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Oklahoma | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Oregon | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| South Dakota | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Utah | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Washington | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Wyoming | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 69 | 87 | 156 |
