Ballotpedia

Webinar today: Understanding the Non-Presidential Elections

MADISON, Wisconsin: The presidential race certainly garnered the bulk of the nation’s attention on election night. But are you curious about the races further down the ballot and what their outcomes mean for the future of the country? If so, join us on Thursday, November 8th at 12 noon EST for a webinar on the 2012 non-presidential elections. The webinar, presented by the Lucy Burns Institute, features experts from both Ballotpedia and Judgepedia and will provide an overview of the results and trends of the 2012 elections.

Registration details are available here.

We’ll answer questions like: Which party made more gains in the state houses? Were there any trifectas created or lost? What was the total partisan change in the nation’s governships? How many state Supreme Courts flipped their partisan balance? Did any judges lose their retention elections? Which state measures were approved and which were defeated? What does it all mean in relation to the presidential race?

Speakers include:

• Geoff Pallay - U.S. Congress and state executives
• Tyler King - State legislatures
• Matt Latourelle - State Supreme Courts
• Al Ortiz - State ballot measures

If you cannot attend the webinar, live tweeting will be available. Follow the conversation at @Ballotpedia or join in the conversation using the hashtag #LBIwebinar. If you have any questions, please e-mail Lauren Warden Rodgers, Director of Communications for the Lucy Burns Institute.

Update

Updated 2012 election results are now being added to Ballotpedia.org.

Results for …

• Ballot measures
• Congress
• State executive officials
• State legislative elections
• Judgepedia: state supreme court races

Thanks!

2012 ballot measure election results: Notable ballot measures across the U.S.A.

By: Al Ortiz

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia:  It is finally here. Election day has arrived, with citizens of the United States of America heading to the polls to choose items found on their ballot. From the presidential race, all the way down to local charter amendments or other ballot measures, residents voted on how their lives would be shaped by the simple pull of a lever.

On the ballot in 38 states on November 6, however, were 176 statewide ballot measures, placed on the ballot in a variety of different ways. After months, in some cases a year, of campaigning and pushing for or against certain measures, it is now time to see how the voters spoke.

Although 176 measures are being decided, technical difficulties with Ballotpedia.org has resulted in only notable ballot measures across the country being tracked live tonight as polls close and numbers roll in.

Below are 23 notable measures that:

* Could have an impact on the presidential race in a certain state.
* Deal with an issue that is being debated across the country.
* Have been controversial enough to gain media attention.

Note: When Ballotpedia.org is back up and running, all 176 ballot measure results will be posted as soon as possible.

PRESIDENTIAL SWING STATE MEASURES:

The following measures were placed on the ballot in presidential swing states, and could have an impact on residents who head to the polls. Some reports surrounding these measures have stated that voters who are interested in a certain measure’s topic could influence how they choose the president.

Note: Some measures listed in this “Presidential swing state” section may also be placed in other sections in this article, as they can be categorized in more than one section.

* Colorado Amendment 64: Whether or not to legalize the use and possession of, at most, an ounce of marijuana for residents who are 21 and older. THIS MEASURE IS CALLED AS APPROVED BY MEDIA. 

• Yes: 53.25%
• No: 46.75%
• Precincts reporting: 38 out of 64
• Update time: 12:32 a.m. CST

* Florida Amendment 1: Aims to prevent laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health care coverage. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO STATE REPORTS.

• Yes: 48.43%
• No: 51.57%
• Precincts reporting: Not available
• Update time: 1:37 a.m. CST

• Yes:42%
• No: 58%
• Precincts reporting: 3,408 of 5,099
• Update time: 12:37 a.m. CST

* Michigan Proposal 4: Would place features of the Michigan Quality Community Care Council in the state constitution, in addition to providing home health care providers with limited collective bargaining. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 42%
• No: 57%
• Precincts reporting: 3,408 of 5,099
• Update time: 12:38 a.m. CST

MARRIAGE: 

The following measures deal with marriage and the definition of that term in the state constitution. Some measures would allow same-sex marriage in the state, while some would define marriage as between one man and one woman. The topic has been a highly-scrutinized issue, including in the presidential race.

* Maine Question 1: Would overturn a voter-approved 2009 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in the state. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO STATE MEDIA.

• Yes: 53.49%
• No: 46.51%
• Precincts reporting: 434 of 578
• Update time: 12:22 a.m. CST

* Maryland Question 6: Would allow same-sex couples to obtain a civil marriage license in the state. THIS MEASURE IS CALLED AS APPROVED.

• Yes: 51.3%
• No: 48.5%
• Precincts reporting: 1,892 out of 1,892
• Update time:12:37 a.m. CST

* Minnesota Amendment 1: Would define marriage in the Minnesota Constitution as between one man and one woman in the state. MEASURE IS STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

• Yes: 49.16%
• No: 50.84%
• Precincts reporting: 2,952 of 4,102
• Update time: 12:39 a.m. CST

* Washington Referendum 74: Asks voters if same-sex marriage should be legalized in the state of Washington. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN PROJECTED TO WIN, ACCORDING TO REPORTS. HOWEVER, MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL NOT ALLOW RESULTS TO BE FINAL FOR A FEW DAYS.

• Yes: 51.8%
• No: 48.2%
• Precincts reporting: 60%
• Update time: 12:33 a.m. CST

HEALTH CARE:

The following measures deal with the Affordable Health Care Act, signed by President Barack Obama in 2010. These measures, if approved, would amend state constitutions to say that no person shall be required to purchase health care insurance. These measures are also known as “Health Care Freedom” measures.

* Alabama Amendment 6: Would prohibit mandatory participation in any health care system. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 59.61%
• No: 40.39%
• Precincts reporting: 32 of 67
• Update time: 12:34 a.m. CST.

* Florida Amendment 1: Aims to prevent laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health care coverage. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO STATE REPORTS.

• Yes: 48.43%
• No: 51.57%
• Precincts reporting: Not available
• Update time: 1:37 a.m. CST

* Montana Legislative Referral 122: would allow residents in the state the choice to decide if they want health insurance or not, and which health insurance to buy if they choose to do so. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS OUT OF THE STATE.

• Yes: 63.98%
• No: 35.83%
• Precincts reporting: 433 out of 794
• Update time: 12:40 a.m. CST

* Wyoming Amendment A: Would not allow any federal or state rule that mandates an employer or person in the state to participate in health care insurance. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS. 

• Yes: 77%
• No: 23%
• Precincts reporting: 462 of 482
• Update time: 12:38 a.m. CST

MARIJUANA:

The issue of marijuana legalization has been a big topic for discussion in 2012. Although the following measures deal with marijuana, topics range from with medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, and overturning marijuana law.

* Arkansas Issue 5: Would allow the use of marijuana by people who choose to use it for medical purposes. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS. 

• Yes: 48.23%
• No: 51.84%
• Precincts reporting: 62 of 75 counties
• Update time: 12:38 a.m.

* Colorado Amendment 64: Whether or not to legalize the use and possession of, at most, an ounce of marijuana for residents who are 21 and older. THIS MEASURE IS CALLED AS APPROVED BY MEDIA. 

• Yes: 53.25%
• No: 46.75%
• Precincts reporting: 38 out of 64
• Update time: 12:32 a.m. CST

* Massachusetts Question 3: Would legalize the use of medical marijuana in the state. MEASURE HAS BEEN CALLED APPROVED BY STATE MEDIA.

• Yes: 63%
• No: 37%
• Precincts reporting: 1,953 of 2,172
• Update time:12:30 a.m. CST

* Montana IR 124: Places a legislative revision of an approved 2004 medical marijuana measure to a vote, instead of making it a law automatically. The 2004 measure allowed medical marijuana. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS OUT OF THE STATE.

• Yes: 56.6%
• No: 43.4%
• Precincts reporting: 433 out of 794
• Update time: 12:40 a.m. CST

* Oregon Measure 80: Would create a seven-person statewide cannabis commission to regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis. THE MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 44.25%
• No: 55.75%
• Precincts reporting: Not available
• Update time: 12:41 a.m. CST

* Washington Initiative 502: Would legalize the production, possession, delivery and distribution of marijuana. The initiative would regulate the sale of small amounts of marijuana to people 21 and older. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 55.5%
• No: 44.5%
• Precincts reporting: 60%
• Update time: 12:34 a.m. CST

TAXES IN CALIFORNIA:

The following measures have three things in common. For one, they were placed on the ballot by the citizen-initiative process. Secondly, they all raise taxes in the state. Finally, they were placed on the ballot by high-profile people. Here are the election results for the trio of tax measures on the California ballot.

* California Proposition 30: Raises California’s sales tax to 7.5% from 7.25%, a 3.45% percentage increase over current law. Proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown. MEASURE IS STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

• Yes: 51.9%
• No: 48.1%
• Precincts reporting: 51%
• Update time: 1:56 a.m. CST

* California Proposition 38: Increase state income tax rates for most Californians, resulting in increased revenues to the state of about $10 billion a year. Proposed by Molly Munger. MOLLY MUNGER HAS CONCEDED DEFEAT OF THE MEASURE.

• Yes: 25.7%
• No: 74.3%
• Precincts reporting: 5,354 of 24,491
• Update time: 12:28 a.m. CST

* California Proposition 39: Require out-of-state businesses to calculate their California income tax liability based on the percentage of their sales in California. Proposed by Thomas Steyer. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN APPROVED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 59%
• No: 41%
• Precincts reporting: 5,354 of 24,491
• Update time: 12:29 a.m. CST

ABORTION:

The following measures deal with the hot-button issue of abortion. However, the measures are not similar and deal with different aspects of the abortion process.

* Florida Amendment 6: Would prohibit the use of public funds for abortions except as required by federal law and to save the mother’s life. THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN DEFEATED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

• Yes: 44.82%
• No: 55.18%
• Precincts reporting: Not available
• Update time: 1:38 a.m. CST

OTHER CONTROVERSIAL MEASURES:

The following measures have gained national attention and have been the center of controversy across the country.

* Massachusetts Question 2: Would allow for a terminally ill patient to be given lethal drugs. A terminally ill patient would be defined as a patient being given six months or fewer to live. MEASURE IS STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

• Yes: 49%
• No: 51%
• Precincts reporting: 2,020 of 2,172
• Update time: 1:59 a.m. CST

* Minnesota Amendment 2: Would require that all voters in the state show photo identification before voting. SUPPORTERS HAVE CONCEDED DEFEAT OF THE MEASURE.

• Yes: 47.73%
• No: 52.27%
• Precincts reporting: 2,952 of 4,102
• Update time: 12:39 a.m. CST

Hello!

Ballotpedia.org here. The November 6, 2012 elections have arrived and with them, unfortunately, some tech difficulties for us. We are diligently working to sift through those tech issues.

In the mean time, keep an eye on this back-up page. As polls close, you’ll find live updates on election trends and results on some of the hottest races right here. Updates will cover state ballot measures, congress, state executives, and state legislatures.

Also, if you are not doing so already keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter, we’ll update all of you on the tech situation there.

Thank you all for you patience! Questions? Just send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

~Ballotpedia staff