Turnout for for today’s election is expected to be light which is typical in an off-year election that doesn’t mean that this isn’t important. Today’s results will have an impact on next year’s presidential election. If there is an election in your district, there is still time to get to the polls. If you haven’t voted, what are you doing reading this?
Here are some of the issues that will be decided today.
Marijuana
In Ohio, there are two ballot initiatives. The first one would legalize marijuana use for anyone over 21 and for medical use by others. The hitch is that it creates a monopoly by putting the growing of marijuana in the hands of 10 millionaires.
The second would nullify the first, if passed, by banning the creation of constitutional amendments that create an economic monopoly.
In Colorado, voters now have to decide how to use $66 million in marijuana tax revenue. If approved, the state could spend the money on schools and other projects. If rejected, the money would be returned to taxpayers and marijuana growers, and the pot sales tax would be temporarily rolled back. A state law requires new tax revenues to be refunded when overall state income exceeds projections.
Campaign Finance
Up north, Mainers are voting to on revamping its pioneer campaign finance law. If enacted, it would increase public funding for qualifying candidates for office to as much as $3 million to make them more competitive against privately funded candidates, according to supporters.
Gay Rights
In Houston, TX, voters will decide on whether to grant non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people. With same sex marriage now legal, nondiscrimination laws are now the priority.
Housing
In San Francisco, CA, a ballot measure would cap short-term housing rentals at 75 days a year and require Internet hosting companies such as San Francisco-based Airbnb to pull listings that violate the limit.
Transportation
In Texas, a constitutional amendment is on the ballot that would divert general and vehicle sales tax revenues toward a highway fund when collections exceed certain thresholds.
Back up in Maine, voters are considering an $85 million bond issue for roads, bridges and other modes of transportation.
Schools
In Mississippi, voters can choose between two rival education measures or opt for neither. The first would require “an adequate and efficient” public school system and grant the courts power to enforce that. The second is an alternative to the first that would simply require the Legislature to provide an “effective” school system. Neither measure would raise taxes.
Animals
In Washington, a ballot initiative would make it a state crime to buy, sell or trade products coming from certain wild animals. In Texas, a ballot measure would create a constitutional right for people to hunt, fish and “harvest wildlife.”
Gubernatorial Races
In Kentucky, the race is between Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway and Republican businessman Matt Bevin. Conway supports the states participation in the Affordable Act, and gay rights. Bevin is a self-desribes Chriatian conservative who is opposed to gay marriage and wants to repeal the ACA replacing ti with a program that would require more money from participants.
In Mississippi, incumbent Republican Governor Phil Bryant is facing a challenge from Democratic nominee Robert Gray, a truck driver.
State Legislatures
In Virginia, the biggest battle is for control of the Virginia Senate, where Republicans currently have a 21-19 advantage. A gain of just one seat by Democrats could flip control, because Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam would serve as the tiebreaker. The Republicans are expected to retain control of the House.
Republicans are also expected to retain control of the legislature in Mississippi and Democrats are looking to strengthen their hold on the New Jersey Assembly.
In Michigan, there is a special primary ballot to fill the seats vacated by Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. They will both run for their old seats just months after they left office following revelations they had an extramarital affair and concocted a strange story to make the truth seem less believable.
Mayoral Races
In Houston, TX, seven candidates are seeking to succeed term-limited Mayor Annise Parker. The election is non-partisan.
In Philadelphia, PA, Democratic nominee Jim Kenney is the favorite to succeed term-limited Mayor Michael Nutter, where Democrats have a 7-to-1 voter registration edge over Republicans,
In Salt Lake City, NV, two-term incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker is facing a challenge from former state lawmaker Jackie Biskupski, who would become the city’s first openly gay mayor if elected.
There are also mayoral elections in San Francisco, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Columbus, OH, and Charlotte, NC
District Attorney
In New York City‘s smallest borough Staten Island, the voters will choose a new District attorney to replace Dan Donovan who resigned after he was elected to the House of Representatives after convicted felon Rep. Michael Grimm resigned. Former Assistant Manhattan District Attorney and Republican Joanne Illuzzi faces Democrat Michael McMahon, the former House representative who was defeated by Grimm in 2010.
as you can see the ballot issues and races are more important that you think. So stop reading this and GO VOTE.
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