THE OTHER KEY VOTES AMERICANS WILL BE CASTING
The United States is poised for sweeping change Nov. 8 — and it has nothing to with Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Voters will be faced with decisions on raising the minimum wage, legalizing marijuana, instituting a carbon tax, banning the death penalty and establishing Canadian-style universal health care. Zane Schwartz looks at some of the 162 ballot measures.
LEGALIZING MARIJUANA
Proponents are hoping to make personal use of marijuana legal in five states — California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Maine and Nevada. There are also initiatives to legalize medical marijuana, often a first step toward recreational marijuana legalization, in Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota.
BANNING THE DEATH PENALTY
While California and Nebraska are voting on whether to ban the death penalty, Oklahoma is considering enshrining it in the state constitution. This is although public support for executions has fallen over the past 20 years. In 2015, a Gallup poll found 61 per cent in favour, down from 77 per cent in 1995. The Nebraska legislature outlawed the death penalty last year over the objections of Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has donated $300,000 to a group campaigning to restore it.
CANADA-STYLE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Colorado is considering a universal health-care system similar to Canada’s. This would cover all citizens and be paid for by a tax increase on employers and employees. Proponents argue most Coloradans will pay less in taxes than they do in health insurance premiums and deductibles. The “yes” camp has racked up high-profile endorsements from filmmaker Michael Moore and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. As of Sept. 6 opponents had the edge, with one poll showing 27 per cent in favour and 65 per cent opposed. If the initiative passes, Colorado would become the only state with universal health care.
RAISING MINIMUM WAGE
Voters in Colorado, Arizona, Maine and Washington are weighing in on increases to the minimum wage, following the example of New York, the District of Columbia, and California. Two years ago, these campaigns would have had minimal chance of success, but the nationwide Fight for 15 movement has kindled debate. Voters in South Dakota will consider whether to dock the hourly rate of workers under 18 by $1.
BACKGROUND CHECKS ON GUN PURCHASES
California is proposing background checks for ammunition purchases, while Maine and Nevada weigh background checks for gun sales. In Washington, voters are contemplating allowing courts to issue “extreme risk protection orders” banning people from accessing guns one year if they are deemed dangerous. Family members would be able to ask a judge to issue a protection order.
LEVYING A CARBON TAX
British Columbia’s 2008 carbon tax implementation is being used as a model for Washington’s proposed tax, the first in the U.S. This would be phased in, starting at $15 a metric tonne of emissions in July 2017, jumping to $25 in July 2018, then rising by 3.5 per cent plus inflation a year until it hits $100.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Three animal welfare bills are on the ballot. Oregon is considering banning the sale of parts or products from endangered animals, such as elephants, lions and leopards. Montana could ban animal traps on public land, while an initiative in Massachusetts would ban the sale of meat from any animal not given enough space to lie down, stand up, extend its limbs or turn around. National animal rights groups are pouring money into the “yes” campaign. Farmers, say this will raise the prices of meat and eggs, and create unnecessary bureaucracy.
ELECTORAL REFORM
Electors in Maine are being asked to OK the ranked ballot system, Justin Trudeau’s favourite method of electoral reform. In this system, voters list their preferred candidates in order as first, second, third, etc. The candidate with the fewest first picks is eliminated until one has more than 50 per cent of the vote. If Maine passes the ranked ballot system, it will be the first state to do so.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Campaign finance reform is on the ballot in Washington and South Dakota. Washington is considering capping donations from lobbyists, and anyone with a government contract, at $100. South Dakota is proposing a $2,000 individual limit for everyone. These initiatives are a response to the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision that dramatically increased the amount of money people can donate to politicians and made it easier for donors to give money anonymously.