Oklahoma has had its share of "sexy” ballot initiatives this decade, but 2008 will be an exception. While voters elsewhere are weighing in on gay marriage, abortion restrictions, English-only measures and legalizing assisted suicide, the November Oklahoma ballot will be blander than dry toast.
Advertisement
Owing to the difficulty of getting an initiative petition through the hoops, the only state questions in Oklahoma this year were referred to the people by the Legislature. Since 2000, voters have banned cockfighting, outlawed gay marriage, raised the tobacco tax, created a state lottery, extended casino gaming options and allowed the sale of liquor on Election Day.
This year? Voters can approve an exemption from property taxes for disabled veterans and decide whether the right to hunt and fish deserves constitutional protection. The only ballot measure with any juice would allow state winemakers to sell directly to package stores and restaurants rather than go through a wholesaler.
A roundup of referenda by stateline.org shows that other states will offer more than the Barack Obama-John McCain contest to woo voters. Floridians will decide whether to ban gay marriage. Coloradans will make choices on restricting affirmative action and abortion. Washington has a proposal to legalize assisted suicide. In Arizona, McCain's home state, voters will again be asked to ban same-sex marriage, having rejected a similar measure two years ago. Immigration reform initiatives are also on the ballot. California voters may be asked to change the way legislative districts are drawn up following a census. And Michigan residents may get to say whether restrictions on stem cell research should be ended.
There will be plenty of election talk in addition to the presidential race in a number of states. Here, State Question 741 asks whether a business seeking a property tax exemption should have to file an application with a county assessor.
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
Could it be that neither party wants an issue on the ballot which might spur the other party's voters turn out to vote. An example was the cockfighting issue years ago which brought out the Dems to vote...resulting in Gov Henry's first election victory.
Then go to the site (home page) where you can read a history of bills passed by our Legislators and see what was approved without fanfare or any public notification. I only went from 2007 to date and the list of approvals is staggering. If you view the list, you may find a different word than unethical, but I will stick with that definition.
Sallie, where do you get the idea that anyone did something unethical to keep anything "of true value" off the ballot? There was nothing unethical about the process, nor does this article suggest that.
woman in okc, Oklahoma City - Jul 28, 2008 9:04 AM
The legislature determines what they put on the ballot, not the voters. These issues are the only ones approved, not all of that were submitted to go to vote. (See Legislative site, all proposals, passage, disapprovals etc.) That the big bosses kept off anything of true value to the public, is not just bland but down right unethical. Ethics just does not exist at the State Capitol.
5
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.