What's at Issue: Ballot Initiatives to Watch

Oct. 27, 2006 — -- Voters face ballot measures pertaining to abortion, stem cells, eminent domain, renewable energy, gay marriage, affirmative action and the minimum wage this year.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

In Arizona, a ballot measure intended to increase voter participation in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" fashion will be put to voters. Mark Osterloh, a retired eye doctor in Tucson, created the measure, which, if it passes, would require state officials to randomly draw one voter's name for the $1 million prize. Using a cash prize to get people to vote is not looked upon favorably by some watchdog groups and editorial boards, causing some controversy around the measure. The measure's constitutionality is sure to be challenged if it passes.

Stem-Cell Research

Missouri will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to protect, within the state, all forms of stem-cell research that federal law allows. LINK: Stem Cell Issue Roils Missouri Race

Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Eight states will vote on same-sex marriage bans this November: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. While all these measures would limit the legal definition of marriage to the union of one man and one woman, they differ in their impact on civil unions and on other legal protections for gay and lesbian couples.

In Colorado, voters will not only be asked to decide on a ban on same-sex marriage, they will also vote on Referendum I, the Colorado Domestic Partnership Benefits and Responsibilities Act, which would establish legal domestic partnerships for gay couples.LINK: N.J. Gay Marriage Decision Boost to 'Values Voters'

Registered Sex Offenders GPS Device

This November California may be the first state to require registered, felony-convicted sex offenders to wear a GPS tracking device for life. Other states have imposed measures that track offenders for their term of parole after they've been released from prison, but California's Proposition 83 would be applied to an unprecedented number of sexual offenders. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Democratic opponent, Phil Angilides, both support the measure.

Oil Tax

California voters will vote on whether to establish a $4 billion program to reduce oil and gasoline usage by 25 percent through research and production incentives, alternative energy vehicles, energy-efficient technologies, and education and training. It would be funded by a tax of from 1.5 percent to 6 percent. Former Vice President Al Gore backs the measure and has appeared on its behalf. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is opposed, citing an opposition to higher taxes. LINK: Big Oil v. Hollywood in California Oil Tax Vote

Minimum Wage

Progressives are pushing to increase the $5.15 minimum wage, from $1 to $1.70, in six states: Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, Nevada and Montana. LINK: Montana Voters to Consider Raising Minimum Wage

Abortion

South Dakota voters will vote on whether to reinstate HB 1215, a measure passed by the legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year that would institute a broad ban on abortion. No exceptions would be allowed for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest -- abortion would be permitted only when the mother's life is in jeopardy.LINK: South Dakota Becomes Abortion Battleground

Affirmative Action

In Michigan, affirmative action goes on the chopping block in the form of Proposal 2, a constitutional ban of all affirmative action programs. The amendment would apply to public education, public employment and government contracting. Ward Connerly, who spearheaded the University of California's ban on affirmative action in 1995 and the California constitutional ban in 1996, is one of the leaders of the "Yes on 2" campaign, which is also known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI.

Tobacco Bans and Taxes

There are also several tobacco-related ballot measures this year, including measures that would increase tobacco taxes in California, Missouri and South Dakota. Smoking bans will be put to voters in Arizona, Nevada and Ohio. The tobacco tax initiative in California (Proposition 86) would increase the tax on cigarettes by 13 cents, making the Golden State the most expensive state to buy cigarettes.

Instead of running straight "no" campaigns against the smoking bans, tobacco interests are pushing rival propositions that sound like tough restrictions but would actually ease anti-smoking laws already on the books.

Eminent Domain

A few years ago eminent domain, or the government's right to take private property for public use, was hardly a hot-button issue. But this fall it has become the most widespread topic on ballot initiatives across the country, in large part in reaction to a recent controversial Supreme Court decision.

Public outcry began in 2005, when a narrow majority of the justices ruled that local governments could seize property and turn it over to private developers. In the case of Kelo v. City of New London, Susette Kelo and others were forced to move so that the city of New London, Conn., could "revitalize" their neighborhood with a commercial project.

Voters in 12 states will decide whether to curb eminent domain powers or make it harder to regulate land use. Those states are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington.