What’s on the Ballot 2012: Vote for Your Rights
If you’re sick and tired of hearing about Obama vs Romney, or your local congressional seat that’s up for grabs, there’s still plenty to talk about today. Here are some of those props and initiatives that could change life in your state after the election. So if you don’t care who is your next president, you might still want to vote.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Legalizing Marijuana
WHERE: Get out and vote in Colorado, Washington State and Oregon. (Arkansas too!)
These states are voting on becoming the first to legalize the “recreational” use of marijuana. No more prescriptions necessary and no more pretending you’re having eye problems to get legal weed. This opens it up for voters who just want to relax. And Arkansas is voting on approving medical marijuana. Welcome to the party.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Same Sex Marriage
WHERE: Maryland, Washington, Maine, Minnesota
In 4 different states, the voters will decide if two people who love each other should be allowed to get married even if they’ve got the same parts. Maine is going for the full monty, voting on allowing same sex marriage. Maryland and Washington state will vote on if they want to keep same sex marriage in their states. And Minnesota, despite the objections of their punter, will vote on if they should amend their constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Right To Die
WHERE: Massachussetts
Massachusetts is going to vote on whether doctors can prescribe medication to a terminally ill person who wants to die. The Death with Dignity Bill is question 2 on the ballot and will allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request a prescription for life-ending medication from their doctor. Right now it’s legal in 3 states, Washington, Oregon and Montana. This is the “Right to Die” groups a chance to finally open up an east coast office.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: The Death Penalty
WHERE: California
California is voting on whether to abolish the death penalty in that state. Cally hasn’t carried out a death sentence since 2006 and is one of 33 states that allows the use of the death penalty. And if Prop 34 passes, the toughest sentence would then be life without chance of parole. Scott Peterson and almost 800 others were really hoping to get an absentee ballot for this year.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Smoking
WHERE: Missouri and North Dakota
Missouri where Prop B is on the ballot, voters will decide if the cigarette tax will be increased by 73 cents a pack. Let’s see if there’s enough people in the Show Me state that want to raise the price of their friend’s cigarettes. And in North Dakota, there’s the extensive state smoking ban which will ban smoking in all public places and most work places including outdoor areas.This ban is so tough, it includes electronic cigarettes.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Crime against Criminals
WHERE: Arizona
Arizona, the “Show Me Your Papers” state will now vote on Prop 114– The Arizona Crime Victims Protection Act. This basically says that if you shoot and kill or injure a criminal while they are committing a felony or feeling from a felony crime, then you can’t be sued later on. Because the last place you want to be after killing a criminal is small claims court.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: Rights of Women and Minorities
WHERE: Oklahoma and Montana
Oklahoma is voting on banning all affirmative action programs in the state and would prohibit any special treatment of minorities. If there were any living there, they might be worried. And Montana is voting on requiring a permission slip signed by a parent before a minor can get an abortion.
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