State by State, Voters Seize the Initiative

While New Yorkers are limited to voicing their views on campaign issues by voting for candidates who share their concerns, voters in states with ballot initiatives have the chance to vote directly on some of the most contentious issues facing the United States today. Here is a look at several of these issues and the states where voters will have the chance to weight in. For students' thoughts on the races and ballot initiatives in their states, go to www.columbiaspectator.com.

Eminent Domain

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina

In July 2005 the Unites States Supreme Court ruled that states could use eminent domain-the right to appropriate private property for public benefit-to allow for private development. The ruling was met with protest from politicians from both sides of the aisle and from many community activists. In this election, 13 states will consider proposals to amend state constitutions to either limit or ban eminent domain for private development.

Marijuana

Colorado, Nevada, South Dakota

South Dakota voters will consider legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Colorado, which already legalized medicinal marijuana, has an amendment on the ballot which would legalize the possession of up to one ounce of the drug for adults 21 and older. A Nevada ballot initiative would allow adults 21 and older to purchase, possess, use, and transport up to one ounce of marijuana, while requiring licenses for marijuana dealers. A poll of 600 likely voters published Nov. 31 by the Reno Gazette-Journal found 52 percent of voters opposed to the marijuana question, 41 percent in favor, and 7 percent undecided.

Tobacco

Arizona, California, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota

There are propositions on the ballot in Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio which would ban smoking in public places. Ohio has both a constitutional amendment and proposition on the ballot restricting smoking. Proposition 201 on the Arizona ballot would prohibit smoking in all public places except for tobacco stores, private clubs, designated hotel rooms, and outdoor patios. The Nevada initiative would also allow smoking in casinos, bars, and clubs. There are also initiatives on ballots in Arizona, California, Missouri, and South Dakota to increase the tax on tobacco products. Proceeds will go to health care and other programs.

Same-Sex Marriage

Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin

Considerations of a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in addition to various state court cases, have kept the questions of legalization of same-sex marriage and recognition of civil unions in the public eye. Fifteen states have already passed amendments to their constitutions that preclude recognition of same-sex marriage. Nine states are considering similar amendments this election.

Abortion

South Dakota

South Dakota ballots will include a referendum on a law passed early this year to ban abortion, which the bill's sponsors said they passed to directly challenge the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade. The bill passed in the state Senate 23 to 12 with no amendments. National groups on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely-and spending lots of money. Vote Yes for Life and the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families have spent nearly $4 million combined, with significant mon ey coming from outside the state, the New York Times reported Thursday.

Minimum Wage

Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio

Democrats hope that ballot measures to increase the minimum wage will help bring out liberal voters in the same way that same-sex marriage initiatives may have increased the conservative turnout in 2004. There were plans to get measures on the ballot in 11 states, but only Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio have initiatives running in this election. The potential state minimum wage rates range from $6.15 in Nevada to $6.85 in Ohio and Colorado. In Nevada, ballot initiatives must pass in two consecutive general elections. The initiative passed in 2004.