By now we all know that Obama is the president-elect, but what about all those other issues that were up for decision? Heather put together a guide to the ballot measures particularly relevant to Scarleteen and our mission and I thought I'd post the results.
ARIZONA
Proposition 102: Approved
Arizona now defines marriage only as the union of one man and one woman.
ARKANSAS
Proposed Initiative Act 1: Approved
It is now illegal for unmarried couples, of any gender, to adopt or foster children.
CALIFORNIA
Proposition 4: Defeated
Teens retained the right to obtain an abortion without parental notification.
Proposition 8: Approved
Voters decided that marriage in California should be limited to heterosexual couples.
COLORADO
Amendment 46: Too close to call
At this time it is unclear whether the Colorado government will be continuing affirmative action or not. I will update this as the final votes are tallied.
Amendment 48: Defeated
With only 27% of the vote this measure calling for personhood to begin at fertilization was resoundingly defeated.
Amendment 51: Defeated
Colorado voters chose not to increase the state sales tax. The increase would have funded assistance for people living with developmental disabilities.
CONNECTICUT
HJ 21: Approved
Seventeen year old voters who will be eighteen by the time of the general election may now vote in its primary election.
FLORIDA
Amendment 2: Approved
Florida added a constitutional amendment to its two existing statutes banning gay marriage.
Amendment 8: Defeated
Voters chose not to supplement community college funding.
MICHIGAN
Proposal 08-2: Approved
Michigan loosened its restrictions on stem-cell research.
MONTANA
I-155: Approved
Montana will expand health coverage for uninsured children.
NEBRASKA
Initiative 424: Approved
Affirmative action will no longer be a factor in the practices of the Nebraska government.
OREGON
Measure 58: Defeated
Oregon will retain its current, more flexible programs to serve ESL students.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Amendment 1: Approved
The age of consent in South Carolina is now 16 for both men and women.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Initiated Measure 11: Defeated
Abortion remains legal in South Dakota.
Are there any ballot measures you found particularly relevant that didn't make this list? Any thoughts on the results? Talk it over on the message board.
I know it's a bit late in the game for those with early voting, but I just wanted to write a letter about voting this year. I do this every election for my friends and family, though I often write it more for those in the concentric circles around the people I know than for those closest to me. I often see or represent some groups plenty of people don't have a familiarity with or a real awareness of.
If you're a U.S. resident, at this point, you've probably given some thought to who you will be voting for for President, and may even know who you'll vote for by now. You may also know, or have some idea, of who you will be voting for when it comes to positions in your state up for the vote this year.
You may have recently seen an email floating around called "Why Women Should Vote" summarizing some of the struggles of suffragists who won us that right.
It is a good account, an important account, and I'd implore you to take a look at it if you haven't already.
Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.
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