Divisive social issues will be on the ballot in several states in November, including constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage in Arizona, California and Florida, and limitations on abortion in California, Colorado and South Dakota.
Although research indicates that ballot measures do not drastically alter voter turnout, they have begun attracting the attention of both presidential campaigns.
Unlike 2004, when same-sex marriage bans were considered in 11 states, no single issue will dominate statewide ballots.
“Tax and spending issues are typically one of the main focuses of these measures, but this time that’s less true,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Missouri also had a ballot measure banning racial preferences, but a hostile Secretary of State and a number of allies dedicated to the racial spoils system managed to get it kicked off the ballot. They have all but admitted that it’s the only way to keep said system in place…if voters get the chance, they’ll get rid of it.
Ballots on Limitations for Abortion and Same Sex Marriage in California? How that even get on the ballot in a demographic like that?