by Marsha Rakestraw
Although an enormous amount of attention has been focused on the results of the national election here in the US, several states also offered state ballot initiatives for citizens to vote on.
Most legislation is in the hands of state legislators (or influential lobbyists), but currently 27 states and Washington, DC, allow some form of ballot measures, which means citizens can vote directly on legislation.
These ballot initiatives are one way that citizens can use their democratic people power.
This year citizens voted on 154 measures in 35 states.
Several ballot initiatives were focused on legalizing actions to help increase protections for (or exploitation of) people, animals, and the earth.
Here are just some of the results for November 2016 ballot initiatives related to social justice, animal protection, and environmental preservation.
Campaign reform and restrictions on corporate rights:
AK – Measure 1
Would allow individuals to register to vote when applying for their fund dividend.
Outcome: Passed
CA – Prop 59
“Proposal to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to allow the full regulation or limitation of campaign contributions and spending.”
Outcome: Passed
ME – Question 5
Would change the voting system to ranked-choice voting.
Outcome: Passed
SD – Measure 22
Would establish a publicly-funded campaign system and create an ethics commission.
Outcome: Passed
WA – Initiative 735
Would encourage legislature to oppose Citizens United.
Outcome: Passed
WA – Initiative 1464
Would enact new campaign finance laws and regulations.
Outcome: Failed
Death penalty initiatives:
CA – Prop 62
Would repeal death penalty.
Outcome: Failed
NE – Referendum 426
Would maintain or repeal referendum that previously eliminated death penalty.
Outcome: Passed (to repeal referendum)
OK – Question 776
Would constitutionally protect the death penalty.
Outcome: Passed
Gun control initiatives:
CA – Prop 63
Would ban “possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines” and require “certain individuals to pass a background check in order to purchase ammunition.”
Outcome: Passed
ME – Question 3
Would expand background checks for gun purchases.
Outcome: Failed
NV – Q1
Would require background checks for gun purchases.
Outcome: Passed
WA – Initiative 1491
Would authorize courts to issue “extreme risk protection” orders “to remove an individual’s access to firearms” if they were considered a significant threat.
Outcome: Passed
Minimum wage increases:
AZ – Prop 206
($12/hour by 2020)
Outcome: Passed
CO – Amendment 70
($12/hour by 2020)
Outcome: Passed
ME – Question 4
($12/hour by 2020)
Outcome: Passed
SD – Referred Law 20
Would lower youth minimum wage.
Outcome: Failed
WA – Initiative 1433
($13.50 by 2020)
Outcome: Passed
Tax increases on the wealthy and corporations:
CA – Prop 55
Would support extending personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000.
Outcome: Passed
OR – Measure 97
Would increase taxes on businesses with annual sales of more than $25 million.
Outcome: Failed
ME – Question 2
Would establish a 3% tax on household income over $200,000.
Outcome: Passed
Other Initiatives By State:
CA – Prop 57
Would allow parole consideration for nonviolent offenders.
Outcome: Passed
CA – Prop 61
Would support regulating drug prices by requiring state agencies to pay no more than the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs for prescription drugs.
Outcome: Failed
CA – Prop 67
Would ban single-use plastic carryout bags.
Outcome: Passed
CO – Amendment T
Would remove the part of the Colorado Constitution that allows forced, unpaid labor by convicted criminals.
Outcome: Failed
CO – Amendment 71
Would change requirements for passage of a state amendment to make it harder for a measure to pass.
Outcome: Passed
FL – Amendment 1
Would allow utilities to charge fees to solar customers and make it more difficult for home owners to work with private solar companies.
Outcome: Failed
IN – Public Question 1
Would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Outcome: Passed
KS – Amendment 1
Would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Outcome: Passed
MA – Question 3
Would prohibit certain methods of extreme farmed animal confinement.
Outcome: Passed
MT – I-177
Would prohibit using animal traps and snares on state lands.
Outcome: Failed
NV – Q3
Would require the Nevada Legislature to establish “an open, competitive retail electric energy market,” reduce energy market regulations, and prohibit energy monopolies.
Outcome: Passed
OK- SQ777
Would add “right to farm and ranch” to state constitution.
Outcome: Failed
OR – Measure 100
Would prohibit the sale of products from 12 species of endangered animals.
Outcome: Passed
SD – Measure 21
Would place an interest rate cap of 36% on short-term loans (to help protect against predatory lending).
Outcome: Passed
WA – Initiative 732
Would create the nation’s first tax on carbon.
Outcome: Failed
Sources consulted: