Ballot Questions

There were 222 ballot question voted on in 41 states in 1998, which is about normal. Arizona led with 12 ballot questions, followed by Oregon, California and Florida with 11 each. So, these four states supplied almost 1/4 of the ballot questions.

The Most Important Questions

The most important ballot questions usually concern life-style. Money and financial issues come next, with procedural issues bringing up the rear.

This year the big issue was Medical Marijuana. While voters were tough on crime, they were soft on drugs. Marijuana was on the ballot 7 times in 5 states: Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Only in Arizona did the Medical Marijuana question lose with 57.3%. It passed in the other states with a high of 58.9% in Washington to a low of 54.5% in Oregon. Even in Arizona, a companion measure to tighten the drugs laws failed with 52% voting against it. In Oregon, a measure to re-criminalize the possession of small amounts of pot lost by a whisker less than 2 to 1.

So, while voters were clearly soft on drugs, they were also tough on crime. Florida, that bastion of democracy, voted 72% to keep the death penalty. Ohio voters, anxious to get on with the killing, voted to make death penalty appeals go directly to the Supreme Court with 70% of the vote. Crime Victims rights passed overwhelmingly in Ohio and Montana with 73.6% and 71.3% of the vote respectively.

While criminal humans fared badly at the hands of the voters, animals fared well, and were important issues, too. Arizona, which refused to allow ill people to use marijuana to ease their suffering, humanely outlawed cock fighting with 68% of the vote. Missouri made animal fighting a class D felony with 62.5% of the vote. California voted 59.3% to prohibit the slaughter of horses and the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. California also passed an animal trap ban by 57.4% of the vote. Alaska forbid the trapping of wolves in snares with 62.8% of the vote.

And, of course, marriage was a hot button issue with the voters in 1998. Alaska, while lenient on drugs was rigid on marriage. It voted 68.1%, better than 2 to 1, to define marriage between one man and one woman only. Whew!

But the greatest issue on the 1998 ballot, the one that clearly demonstrates the superiority of psephology over polling, was in South Carolina. There, voters were asked to repeal obsolete constitutional provisions that prohibited the intermarriage of blacks and whites. Luckily, it passed with 61.9% of the vote, but that still means that 38.1% of the voters in South Carolina, when allowed to express their opinions in the secrecy of the voting booth, were still willing to make a statement in opposition to interracial marriage.

Now, some might say, there are always "no" votes on any issue. That argument might hold water if the same people who voted by almost 40% to keep the ban on interracial marriage hadn't also delivered the most lopsided verdict, better than 9 to 1 for a residency requirement for state legislators.

The 10 Biggest Margins of Victory

The issues that generated the biggest margin of victory were almost all questions that showed the electorate's deep distrust of their elected officials. South Carolina, while voting 38.1% to ban interracial marriage, voted 91.3% to require their State Senators and State Representatives to reside in the districts they represent. The voters didn't trust the parties not to carpetbag, which, given the level of unopposed candidates, is not an idle fear.

Three states showed they don't trust the legislatures not to divert money from the purposes for which it was raised. Wyoming voted 88.2% to keep the money in the Worker's Compensation fund for worker's compensation only. Arizona voted 61.4% to keep state retirement funds for retirees only. And Utah voted to hold trust lands for the purposes for which they were granted. This shows that the voters see the legislatures as trying to grab money from the wrong pot for different purposes. It's a solid vote for honesty in financial accounting.

Residency was another issue which passed by big margins and showed voters distrust of the government. Utah voted 87.1% to require a 3 year continuous residency in the state with 6 months in the district for state legislators. North Dakota voted 82.6% that elected Sheriffs and county officers must reside in the districts they represent at the election. As mentioned above, South Carolina voted by more than 91% for their state representative to live in the districts they represent.

Indiana voted 87% to let people vote who move within Indiana within 30 days of an election and Utah voted 82% to repeal the right of convicted felons to vote and hold office.

The three other issues that make up the 10 biggest margins in 1998 are: Amending the person's rights provisions of the Iowa Constitution to include women (83.5%); allowing Georgia residents to keep their homestead exemption when they are absent for medical reasons (82.6%); and reducing the Massachusetts state income tax on interest and dividends from 12% to 5.95%.[81.8%]

The important point about the issues with the biggest margins is that out of the top 10, only 2 dealt with money.

The 10 Biggest Losing Issues

The biggest losing issue came from Oregon where only 19.3% of the voters supported more restrictive timber harvesting regulations. So much for the environmental movement.

After that, South Dakota's attempt to remove conflict of interest restrictions on legislators received only 21.4%, and only 33% voted to let joint legislative committees approve funding changes when the legislature was not meeting. So, here again, the voters overwhelmingly rejected giving more discretionary power to elected officials.

Other non-started were issues one might normally think popular. South Dakota's attempt to prohibit the use of property taxes for schools only received 22.3% of the vote. Giving local governments authority to issue bonds for economic development projects with the bonds to be paid off with the increased income from the development project only received 34.5% of the vote in West Virginia. Only 35.9% of Nebraska's voters agreed to limit tax increases by state and local government. And in California, slightly more than 1/4 of the voters supported an attempt to prohibit electric utility customers from paying for nuclear plants or the cost recovery of non-nuclear plants.

So, while politicians of both parties rail constantly about the need to lower taxes, the fact is that people are willing to pay taxes if they can be persuaded that the projects are worthwhile. The voters also don't go for blanket tax limitation schemes. In democratic politics, real economics count.

The penultimate of the 10 biggest losing issues are South Dakota's attempt to transfer the unclaimed property office from the elected State Treasurer to the unelected Revenue Secretary. Only 28.9% of the voters supported this obvious attempt to move the power to take property to unelected bureaucrats. The putative reason was to save money, but obviously the voters felt their property more at risk.

And finally, Oregonians voted only 33.54% to recriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot. Considering that people under the age of 18 can't even vote, I'd say the nation is ready to decriminalize and tax drugs; to put the illegal drugs in the same category as legal drugs like tobacco, alcohol and television. But then, what would happen to the police state? The purpose of the hypocrisy of illegal drugs is to make virtually everyone bustable at all times. Joseph Stalin would be jealous.

Questions Yes Votes No Votes
Abma. Amend. 2 $110 million for state parks and public historical sites. 695,122 74.4610% 238,416 933,538 0.0909
Abma. Amend. 3 $52 million for animal, livestock, agriculture, forestry, veternary. 601,184 65.6256% 314,897 916,081 0.1818
Abma. Amend. 4 $5.7 million for cotton and textile education, research and promotion. 534,677 58.9298% 372,635 907,312 0.2727
Abma. Amend. 1 Use cellular tax to pay interest and principal on Revolving Loan Fund 498,066 55.0380% 406,884 904,950 0.3636
Abma. Amend. 6 $17.5 million for education, research and promotion of forensic sciences. 590,525 65.6520% 308,953 899,478 0.4545
Abma. Amend. 8 Prohibit burdening of the free exercise of religion, least restictive means. 482,101 54.2592% 406,413 888,514 0.5455
Abma. Amend. 5 Let ratite industry (ostrich, emu, rhea, kiwi) self-tax for promotion 442,143 49.9799% 442,499 884,642 0.6364
Abma. Amend. 7 No unfunded mandates without approval of affected authority 578,522 66.1568% 295,949 874,471 0.7273
Abma. Amend. 9 Let cities >150,000 establish trust funds. 605,433 69.7667% 262,363 867,796 0.8182
Abma. Amend. 11 Allow Bibb County elected officials to participate in Employee Retirement System 441,420 59.7989% 296,754 738,174 0.9091
Abma. Amend. 10 Let Marengo County help economic and industrial development. 466,009 63.3417% 269,697 735,706 1.0000
Alska BalMeas2 Marriage between one man and one woman only. 152,965 68.1067% 71,631 224,596 0.14
Alska BalMeas8 Medical Marijuana 131,586 58.6686% 92,701 224,287 0.29
Alska BalMeas9 Forbid trapping wolves with snares 83,224 37.2745% 140,049 223,273 0.43
Alska BalMeas6 Government to use English. 153,107 68.5988% 70,085 223,192 0.57
Alska BalMeas5 Prohibiting Billboards 160,922 72.3821% 61,401 222,323 0.71
Alska BalMeas7 Term Limits 109,613 50.2020% 108,731 218,344 0.86
Alska BalMeas3 Reapportionment Board - Gov appoints 2, speaker 1, Senate Pres 1, SupCt. 1 110,768 52.1374% 101,686 212,454 1.00
Az. Prop. 300 Medical Marijuana 418,303 42.6668% 562,091 980,394 0.07
Az. Prop. 201 Outlaw Cock Fighting 666,058 68.0744% 312,368 978,426 0.14
Az. Prop. 304 Extend termination date of lottery from 1999 to 2003 652,479 66.7844% 324,514 976,993 0.21
Az. Prop. 302 Legislative salaries of $24,000 plus government per diem 544,969 56.3802% 421,627 966,596 0.29
Az. Prop. 301 Eligible drug probation for 1st and 2nd offense unless 2 felonies, violent or nt or dangerous offenses. 464,776 48.4497% 494,520 959,296 0.36
Az. Prop. 103 Open Primary except members must vote in own primary. 576,466 60.5342% 375,832 952,298 0.43
Az. Prop. 303 Open Space Land appropriation and no compulsory local restrictions 501,358 52.8883% 446,598 947,956 0.50
Az. Prop. 200 Public Funding of Elections 481,963 51.1999% 459,373 941,336 0.57
Az. Prop. 101 Amend Legislative Salary Commission to make raises automatic. 338,030 35.9524% 602,185 940,215 0.64
Az. Prop. 100 Public Retirement System Funds for retirees only 570,271 61.4040% 358,449 928,720 0.71
Az. Prop. 104 Removes Legislature and Governor from modifying Initiative and Referendum 417,926 45.3837% 502,946 920,872 0.79
Az. Prop. 102 State Trust Fund Investment in Equities (max. 60%) 488,711 53.3308% 427,665 916,376 0.86
Az. Prop. 105 Prohibits Legislature and Governor from repealing Initiatives and Referenda 476,770 52.2608% 435,520 912,290 0.93
Az. Prop. 202 Allow Abolish IRS pledge on ballot 409,133 45.0077% 499,896 909,029 1.00
Ark. Ref. A. 2 3/5th vote to levy, increase or decrease any tax rate or fee 226,237 37.0010% 385,197 611,434 0.25
Ark. Ref. A. 1 Let Municipalities and Counties incur short-term financing obligations 283,030 47.9955% 306,671 589,701 0.5
Ark. Ref. A. 3 Authorize assignment of special and retired judges (as opposed to election by on by lawyers.) 296,137 50.9315% 285,305 581,442 0.75
Ark. Ref. Q. 1 $300 million bonds for water, waste, pollution, drainage, irrigation, flood,etc ood, wetlands, etc. 306,632 53.0049% 271,865 578,497 1
Cal. Prop. 005 Requires state to enter into agreement with indians to allow certain gambling. bling. 3,072,345 37.6292% 5,092,446 8,164,791 0.08
Cal. Prop. 010 Tobacco tax for early childhood programs. 4,044,126 50.5002% 3,964,008 8,008,134 0.17
Cal. Prop. 006 Prohibit slaughter of horses and sale of horsement for human consumption 4,672,457 59.3850% 3,195,619 7,868,076 0.25
Cal. Prop. 01A $9.2 billion school facilities, class size reduction bond. 4,888,679 62.4693% 2,937,048 7,825,727 0.33
Cal. Prop. 004 Animal Trap Ban, and prohibits commerce in furs of trapped animals. 4,486,989 57.4363% 3,325,130 7,812,119 0.38
Cal. Prop. 009 Electric Utilities - prohibits customers for paying for nuclear, or cost recovery recovery for non-nuclear. 2,065,673 26.5594% 5,711,889 7,777,562 0.50
Cal. Prop. 007 Tax credit for air pollution reduction expenditures. 3,315,264 43.6263% 4,283,971 7,599,235 0.58
Cal. Prop. 001 Let people who lose homes due to toxic contamination, pay same tax on new. 5,368,288 71.0574% 2,186,572 7,554,860 0.67
Cal. Prop. 008 Public School Initiative, parent councils, mandatory drug expulsion 4,756,278 63.8727% 2,690,213 7,446,491 0.75
Cal. Prop. 003 Restrict presidential primary to only party members. (Not open) 3,425,341 46.1573% 3,995,668 7,421,009 0.83
Cal. Prop. 002 Limit loan of transportation funds to General Fund 5,521,373 75.3893% 1,802,444 7,323,817 0.92
Cal. Prop. 011 Allow sales tax revenue sharing by 2/3rds vote of each (not majority.) 3,898,165 53.3416% 3,409,761 7,307,926 1.00
Co. Amend. #1 Tax limit 494934 48.9322% 516534 1,011,468 0.111111111111111
Co. Amend. #4 Legalize limited gaming in Black Hawk, Central and Cripple Creek. 574620 57.3064% 428096 1,002,716 0.222222222222222
Co. Amend. #5 Limit consecutive terms. 708975 70.9941% 289664 998639 0.333333333333333
Co. Amend. #2 Presidential Primary 582835 61.1579% 370166 953001 0.444444444444444
Co. Amend. #3 Repeal obsolete constitutional provisions 717544 77.8384% 204294 921838 0.555555555555556
Fla. Amend. #3 Additional $25,000 ad valorem tax exemption for >65 earning <$20,000 2,560,979 68.4512% 1,180,341 3,741,320 0.08
Fla. Amend. #6 Public Education is a high priority and function of the state 2,623,889 71.0447% 1,069,406 3,693,295 0.15
Fla. Amend. #12 Firearms purchases: Local option for criminal check and waiting period. 2,655,010 71.9899% 1,033,020 3,688,030 0.23
Fla. Amend. #2 Preservation of the Death Penalty 2,676,043 72.7564% 1,002,043 3,678,086 0.31
Fla. Amend. #9 Basic Rights - all people are equal, male and female. 2,416,324 66.2550% 1,230,683 3,647,007 0.38
Fla. Amend. #5 Conservation of Natural Resources and creation of Fish and Wildlife Comm. 2,630,674 72.2995% 1,007,905 3,638,579 0.46
Fla. Amend. #1 Historic Property Tax exemption not dependent on improvement. 1,970,419 54.4843% 1,646,069 3,616,488 0.54
Fla. Amend. #7 Provide local option whether to elect or appoint judges with retention election lection 2,028,165 56.8960% 1,536,523 3,564,688 0.62
Fla. Amend. #10 Allow local property tax exemption for property used for public purposes. 1,754,747 49.8333% 1,766,490 3,521,237 0.69
Fla. Amend. #8 Change Cabinet, eliminate sos and Comm of education, appoint Board of Ed. 1,950,311 55.5242% 1,562,234 3,512,545 0.77
Fla. Amend. #11 Better ballot access for independents and public financing. 2,239,607 64.1215% 1,253,150 3,492,757 0.85
Fla. Amend. #4 Permit recording of instruments in County Branch Offices 2,540,872 74.1023% 887,999 3,428,871 0.92
Fla. Amend. #13 Miscellaneous matters and technical revisions. 1,869,111 54.9739% 1,530,883 3,399,994 1.00
Ga. Amend. #1 Provide for Land, Water, Wildlife and Recreation Heritage Fund 770,192 46.8146% 875,003 1,645,195 0.1
Ga. Amend. #3 Additional penalties for DUI to fund Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund 1,183,185 72.9967% 437,689 1,620,874 0.2
Ga. Amend. #2 Limit and prioritize education programs funded from state lottery 814,815 50.5820% 796,065 1,610,880 0.3
Ga. Q. B Keep Homestead exemption for people away from home for medical reasons. 1,312,521 82.6737% 275,070 1,587,591 0.4
Ga. Q. C Ad Valorem Tax exemption for Religious Organization property 1,036,767 65.5675% 544,453 1,581,220 0.5
Ga. Amend. #4 Roadside enhancement and beautification fund 805,714 50.9836% 774,626 1,580,340 0.6
Ga. Q. D Disabled Veterans Motor Vehicle Exemption for leased vehicles, also. 1,081,810 68.7936% 490,735 1,572,545 0.7
Ga. Q. E Prisoner of War Vehicle Tax Exemption 1,027,331 65.3743% 544,129 1,571,460 0.8
Ga. Q. A Exempt livestock; crops; fruit or nut trees; bushes in family farms from tax. tax. 984,728 63.4237% 567,891 1,552,619 0.9
Ga. Amend. #5 Appointed Commission on Compensation of Public Officials 744,328 49.1213% 770,957 1,515,285 1
Ha. Amend. #1 Appoint Tax Review Commission Every 10 years 138,672 38.4021% 222,433 361,105 1.00
Idaho Init. #1 Allow term limit statement on ballot 192,390 54.6555% 159,615 352,005 0.11
Idaho Advisory1 Keep term limits for state elected officials 184,329 53.1600% 162,415 346,744 0.22
Idaho HJR 6 School Endowment Fund land sales can be put in land bank fund. 221,197 63.8762% 125,093 346,290 0.33
Idaho SJR 105 Allow some people under guardianship to vote and serve on juries. 195,290 56.4291% 150,790 346,080 0.44
Idaho HJR 8 Allow school endowment funds to be invested in broad range of instruments. 220,282 65.2635% 117,245 337,527 0.56
Idaho SJR 101 Delete obsolete judicial post language and add current language. 236,952 72.1381% 91,518 328,470 0.67
Idaho SJR 102 Delete Constitutional Salaries and let legislatue set for Governor, etc. 181,451 57.2319% 135,594 317,045 0.78
Idaho SJR 107 Delete and clarify language regarding debt limit 205,949 65.0938% 110,439 316,388 0.89
Idaho SJR 106 State guarantee for school district bonds. 195,290 61.8024% 120,701 315,991 1.00
In. Q. 1 Allow people to vote when they move within Indiana within 30 days of election ction 1,034,309 87.0668% 153,640 1,187,949 0.5
In. Q. 2 Allow auditor, sos, or treasurer to live anywhere in In., not just capital. 822,141 71.1430% 333,477 1,155,618 1
Iowa Am. #1 Amends the section on rights of persons to include women 654,419 83.5776% 128,589 783,008 0.5
Iowa Am. #2 Removes one hundred dollar fine limit for trial without jury. 474,433 63.8767% 268,300 742,733 1
Ky. ConAm 2 Exempt motor vehicles and other from property tax and exemption for disabled. bled. 678,141 78.6755% 183,806 861,947 0.5
Ky. ConAm 1 Allow General Assembly to meet for 25 days in odd-numbered years 413,143 48.9247% 431,304 844,447 1
La. Amend. 1 Rename Board of Trustees for State Colleges and U's to Board of Supervisors. 475,405 66.2095% 242,626 718,031 0.5
La. Amend. 2 Two Regents from each Congressional District and one at large. 422,256 60.4119% 276,706 698,962 1
Maine Bond 2 $7 million water pollution, tires, hazardous waste, drinking water 289,771 72.2223% 111,450 401,221 0.5
Maine Bond 1 $20 Million economic Development (biotech, IT, Marine, Forest, materials) 250,506 62.5927% 149,710 400,216 1
Md. Q. #1 Right to Jury Trial when amount in controversy exceeds $10,000 832,163 71.7879% 327,034 1,159,197 0.5
Md. Q. #2 Let retired Circuit Court judges be Orphan's court in Harford and Montgomery 798,217 72.1957% 307,412 1,105,629 1
Mass. Q.4 Change electric utility industry. 1,251,540 71.0558% 509,807 1,761,347 0.25
Mass. Q.1 Prohibit legislators from changing their base pay, link to median income. 1,170,031 68.4725% 538,729 1,708,760 0.5
Mass. Q.3 Reduce state income tax on interest and dividends from 12% to 5.95%. 1,395,599 81.8526% 309,416 1,705,015 0.75
Mass. Q.2 New public campaign finance law. Limits + pulbic funding. 1,129,934 66.3726% 572,476 1,702,410 1
Minn. Amend. 2 Hunting and Fishing forever 1,570,720 77.2434% 462,749 2,033,469 0.33
Minn. Amend. 1 Dedicate Lottery to environment and natural resources until year 2025. 1,556,895 77.1641% 460,747 2,017,642 0.67
Minn. Amend. 3 Abolished elected State Treasurer in year 2004 1,087,789 55.9665% 855,853 1,943,642 1.00
Miss. Amnd. No1 Only a resident can circulate a petition for Mississippi Amendment 396,574 76.6753% 120,638 517,212 1
Mo. Am. #9 Lotteries and games of chance on riverboats. 857,829 55.4865% 688,184 1,546,013 0.125
Mo. Prop. A Make animal fighting a class D felony 952,654 62.5920% 569,352 1,522,006 0.25
Mo. Am. #8 Let charitable or religious organizations hold raffles 895,373 61.2964% 565,354 1,460,727 0.375
Mo. Am. #2 School Board levy no higher than $2.75, majority vote $6.,2/3rds >$6 858,649 58.8181% 601,190 1,459,839 0.5
Mo. Am. #6 Allows financing of joint sewer improvement project by issuing revenue bonds. 1,014,211 71.1824% 410,594 1,424,805 0.625
Mo. Am. #1 Change deadline for submitting initiative petitions from 4 to 6 months before. efore election. 820,937 57.7406% 600,830 1,421,767 0.75
Mo. Am. #7 State bonds for local water and sewer projects. 918,977 64.7475% 500,347 1,419,324 0.875
Mo. Am. #5 State may invest in bankers acceptances and commercial paper 1,071,261 75.7287% 343,343 1,414,604 1
Mont. Con. I.75 Voter approval of tax increases 167,321 51.1967% 159,499 326,820 0.14
Mont.Leg.Ref113 Six mill property tax levy for support of Montana Universities for 10 years. 199,871 61.3992% 125,656 325,527 0.29
Mont. In. 137 Prohibit Cyanide leach processing at new open-pit gold and silver mines. 169,991 52.3009% 155,034 325,025 0.43
Mont. Init. 136 Eliminate requirement nonresidents hire Montana outfitters for hunting lic. 141,425 43.9611% 180,280 321,705 0.57
Mont. I. 134 Repeal Retail Motor Fuel Marketing Act (can't sell below cost + 6%) 172,081 53.9930% 146,629 318,710 0.71
Mont. Am. 33 Victim's Rights 225,349 71.3812% 90,349 315,698 0.86
Mont. I.Ref.114 Prohibit expenditures by all corps and organizations on ballot issues. 161,476 52.7870% 144,425 305,901 1.00
Neb. Init. 413 Limit tax revenue increases by state and local government 191,046 35.9171% 340,862 531,908 0.11
Neb. Init. 414 Require Public Service Commission to set access charges for phones. 223,421 42.1969% 306,052 529,473 0.22
Neb. Amend. 1 No person shall be denied equal protection of the laws. 336,672 72.6176% 126,951 463,623 0.33
Neb. Amend. 2A Motor vehicle taxes must remain in county where raised. 266,513 58.5868% 188,390 454,903 0.44
Neb. Amend. 3A Allow justices to live elsewhere from location of court. 222,659 51.0549% 213,458 436,117 0.56
Neb. Amend. 2B State must mandate majority vote for mergers and demergers of local govts. 240,554 55.9908% 189,077 429,631 0.67
Neb. Amend. 2C Tax government property not used for authorized public purposes. 248,179 57.7968% 181,220 429,399 0.78
Neb. Amend. 3B Provide for retention of judges on statewide basis. 198,656 47.1143% 222,991 421,647 0.89
Neb. Amend. 2D Repeal provisions dealing with township organization and towns 150,394 37.0897% 255,093 405,487 1.00
Nv. Q. #9 Medical marijuana 241,510 58.6511% 170,264 411,774 0.1
Nv. Q. #4 Last Friday in October Legal Holiday for Nevada Day. 214,666 52.5373% 193,931 408,597 0.2
Nv. Q. #5 Governor must submit budget 14 days before <120 day legislative sesssion. 283,464 70.6974% 117,490 400,954 0.3
Nv. Q. #6 Tax abatement for water conservation property use. 164,818 41.3145% 234,117 398,935 0.4
Nv. Q. #1 Establish procedures for resolving conflicting voter approved ballot questions stions 235,984 59.3667% 161,518 397,502 0.5
Nv. Q. #17 Term Limit instruction and ballot designation for federal offices. 224,664 56.7448% 171,256 395,920 0.6
Nv. Q. #8 Senate President not to be Lt. Gov. but selected by Senate. 3rd in line. 150,813 38.4650% 241,266 392,079 0.7
Nv. Q. #7 Require government to collect sales tax on items resold to public. 164,818 42.0566% 227,078 391,896 0.8
Nv. Q. #3 Let district court meet in locations other than county seat. 209,434 53.5285% 181,823 391,257 0.9
Nv. Q. #2 Judicial Commission powers and conduct from court, legislature and itself. 220,939 56.7315% 168,508 389,447 1
NH Amend. 1 Minimum age for State Senator shall be 25 instead of 30. 119,140 41.2851% 169,439 288,579 0.5
NH Amend. 2 Change Constitution to Gender neutral terms 159,308 56.7439% 121,441 280,749 1
NJ Q. 1 Dedicate $98 million of sales tax to open space 976,686 66.2297% 498,010 1,474,696 0.33
NJ Q. 2 Allow legislature to control wagering on horse racing. 853,631 59.5362% 580,170 1,433,801 0.67
NJ Q. 3 Allows 1980 and 1985 Resource recovery bond to pay debt and forgive loans. 749,700 53.3765% 654,852 1,404,552 1.00
NMex. Amend. IV Public Employees Retirement Trust Fund to be used only for Retirement benefits. nefits 336,043 77.4723% 97,716 433,759 0.1
NMex. Amend. I Limit valuation of residential real estate for property tax purposes. 261,507 60.6717% 169,513 431,020 0.2
NMex. Amend.III Prohibit 2 term county officials from holding county office for 2 yrs (instead nstead of all public offices.) 288,419 67.9546% 136,010 424,429 0.3
NMex. Amend. V No property tax for disabled service related veterans with house modifications. 279,787 66.0854% 143,585 423,372 0.4
NMex. Bond A Senior Citizens ($6,320,000) 231,847 55.0304% 189,460 421,307 0.5
NMex. Bond B Public Education ($72,940,000) 228,447 54.4195% 191,342 419,789 0.6
NMex. Bond C Ecologically significant lands ($620,000) for endangered species 200,127 48.1022% 215,918 416,045 0.7
NMex. Bond D El Camino Real international heritage center ($1,030,000) 143,489 34.5210% 272,168 415,657 0.8
NMex. Bond E Convert police radio communications to digital ($2,260,000) 248,447 60.0690% 165,156 413,603 0.9
NMex. Amend. II Add additional citizen and magistrate to Judicial Standards Commission 213,354 51.7226% 199,143 412,497 1
NY Proposal 1 21st Century Environmental Quality Bond Act ($1.975 billion) 1,330,942 48.4458% 1,416,337 2,747,279 1
NC Referendum 2 Water Bonds 1,170,453 68.0325% 549,979 1,720,432 0.5
NC Referendum 1 Natural Gas Bonds 861,672 51.0660% 825,696 1,687,368 1
ND Con. Meas.#2 Elect Sheriffs and elected county officers to be residents at election. 166,708 82.6642% 34,961 201,669 0.5
ND Con. Meas.#1 Removes references to names, locations and missions of Higher Ed Schools. 70,403 36.3500% 123,278 193,681 1
Ohio Issue 4 Prohibit Taxes on Food 2,228,874 66.4225% 1,126,728 3,355,602 0.25
Ohio Issue 2 Crime Victims Rights 2,447,260 77.6437% 704,650 3,151,910 0.5
Ohio Issue 1 Direct appeal of death penalty cases to Ohio Supreme Court 2,199,791 70.1438% 936,323 3,136,114 0.75
Ohio Issue 3 Program for sale of tuition credits. 1,816,087 60.3912% 1,191,116 3,007,203 1
Ok.Q681,LR#311 Allow State college to own technology 490,596 61.5299% 306,734 797,330 0.33
Ok.Q679,LR#309 Let Corp Commissioners get pay raise during term. 346,102 43.6455% 446,883 792,985 0.50
Ok.Q682,LR#312 Let state contract with cities and counties to house state inmates. 422,512 53.4572% 367,862 790,374 0.67
Ok.Q683,LR#313 Exempt from Ad Valorem tax property used in pollution control 381,095 48.3545% 407,033 788,128 0.83
Ok.Q678,LR#308 Let entities opt out of ambulance districts. 471,696 59.9297% 315,386 787,082 1.00
Or. Measure #67 Medical marijuana 611,190 54.5972% 508,263 1,119,453 0.08
Or. Measure #64 More restrictive timber harvest regulations 215,491 19.3608% 897,535 1,113,026 0.15
Or. Measure #57 Recriminalizes possession of small amounts of pot. 371,967 33.5427% 736,968 1,108,935 0.23
Or. Measure #66 Some Lottery Money to parks, beaches, Habitat, Watershed protection 742,038 67.1962% 362,247 1,104,285 0.31
Or. Measure #59 Prohibits using public resources to collect money for political purposes. 539,757 48.9927% 561,952 1,101,709 0.38
Or. Measure #60 Requires mail-in ballots in biennial primary and general elections. 757,204 69.3903% 334,021 1,091,225 0.46
Or. Measure #56 Require Mail notice to landowners regarding changes in land use laws. 874,547 80.4341% 212,737 1,087,284 0.54
Or. Measure #58 Requires issuing copies of Original birth certificate to adoptees. 621,832 57.3690% 462,084 1,083,916 0.62
Or. Measure #62 Campaign Finance Disclosure; Regulates signature gathering, payment methods. 721,448 67.5159% 347,112 1,068,560 0.69
Or. Measure #55 Guarantee Earnings on Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund 456,464 43.3195% 597,251 1,053,715 0.77
Or. Measure #54 State can guarantee bonded indebtedness of certain school districts. 569,982 54.5589% 474,727 1,044,709 0.85
Or. Measure #63 Supermajority voting requirements require same supermajority for passage. 566,064 55.2891% 457,762 1,023,826 0.92
Or. Measure #65 Creates Process to Require Legislative review of administrative rules. 483,811 47.5369% 533,948 1,017,759 1.00
Pa. Ref. 1 Disallow bail when presumption great in crime carrying life imprisonment. 1,620,567 72.9318% 601,463 2,222,030 0.5
Pa. Ref. 2 State shall have same right to trial by jury as does the accused 1,496,894 68.6303% 684,204 2,181,098 1
RI Bond 2 Education Bonds 172,420 67.7445% 82,095 254,515 0.33
RI Bond 1 Transportation Bonds 172,715 68.1332% 80,781 253,496 0.67
RI Bond 3 Environmental Bonds 168,067 67.8245% 79,730 247,797 1.00
SC Amend. #4 Repeal provision making it unlawful to intermarry. 565,805 61.9491% 347,533 913,338 0.20
SC Amend. #1 Let legislature exempt some crimes from Crime Victims Bill of Rights 441,746 49.0023% 459,734 901,480 0.40
SC Amend. #2 Residence requirement for members of the Senate and House of Representatives 822,079 91.3010% 78,326 900,405 0.60
SC Amend. #3A Let State University endowment funds be invested in stocks. 629,459 71.6603% 248,934 878,393 0.80
SC Amend. #3B Redevelopment debt may be repaid by extra tax on project. 497,237 57.4773% 367,864 865,101 1.00
SD Amend. A Prohibit use of property taxes for schools. 56,957 22.3174% 198,256 255,213 0.11
SD Amend. E Prohibit businesses from owning farmland. 149,470 58.6727% 105,282 254,752 0.22
SD Amend. H 21 year old minimum age for all elected state offices. 150,680 60.1483% 99,834 250,514 0.33
SD Amend. B Let joint legislative committee approve funding changes when leg. not meeting. eting. 81,976 33.0084% 166,373 248,349 0.44
SD Amend. G Allow state school fund to invest in stocks. 96,975 39.1214% 150,907 247,882 0.56
SD Amend. C remove some "conflict of interest" restrictions on legislators. 53,020 21.4041% 194,689 247,709 0.67
SD Ref. Law 2 Transfer unclaimed property office from treasurer to Revenue Secretary. 71,379 28.9959% 174,790 246,169 0.78
SD Amend. F Permit several classes of agricultural property. 92,447 37.6295% 153,230 245,677 0.89
SD Amend. D Allow combinations and jointly financed local government activities. 121,880 49.9377% 122,184 244,064 1.00
Ut. Prop. 5 2/3rds vote for initiatives affecting the hunting of wildlife. 272,296 56.1703% 212,473 484,769 0.17
Ut. Prop. 4 Eliminating Voting and office holding rights of convicted felons. 388,164 82.0815% 84,737 472,901 0.33
Ut. Prop. 1 Three year consecutive state residency and 6 months in district for legislature. slature 403,866 87.1394% 59,605 463,471 0.50
Ut. Prop. 3 Trust lands should be held for the purposes for which they were granted. 387,998 84.5979% 70,640 458,638 0.67
Ut. Prop. 6 Let legislature authorize courts to adjudicate State Tax Commission Cases. 336,082 74.5717% 114,601 450,683 0.83
Ut. Prop. 2 Repeal special marital property rights for women 316,653 70.5294% 132,313 448,966 1.00
Va. Amend. #1 Let Virginia overseas residents vote. 828,353 73.1756% 303,654 1,132,007 0.2
Va. Amend. #3 Exempt Economic Development areas from local government debt limits. 477,257 43.5664% 618,214 1,095,471 0.4
Va. Amend. #2 Judicial inquiry and review commission proceedings to be partially public. 690,017 63.1985% 401,808 1,091,825 0.6
Va. Amend. #4 Exempt Economic Development area expenses like sewers from local debt limits. 410,674 37.9262% 672,151 1,082,825 0.8
Va. Amend. #5 Allow legislature to reduce or eliminate business license and capital taxes. 648,252 61.8442% 399,950 1,048,202 1.0
Wa. Init. 688 Raise minimum wage from $4.90 to $5.70, with annual inflation increases. 1,259,470 66.1405% 644,764 1,904,234 0.2
Wa. Init. 692 Medical marijuana 1,121,851 58.9678% 780,631 1,902,482 0.4
Wa. Init. 200 No more race, sex, color or ethnic preferences in public employment and contracting contracting. 1,099,410 58.2210% 788,930 1,888,340 0.6
Wa. Init. 694 Termination of fetus' life during birth process is a felony crime. 802,376 42.8451% 1,070,360 1,872,736 0.8
Wa. Ref. 92 Reduce excise taxes and float $1.9 billion in bonds for highways. 1,056,786 57.1369% 792,783 1,849,569 1
W.Va. Amend.#1 Let localities issue bonds for economic development to be paid off by increased creased taxes of project. 117,523 34.5976% 222,162 65.4024% 339,685 0.5
W.Va. Amend.#2 Let legislature create additional courts of original and appellate jurisdiction 147,396 45.0791% 179,576 54.9209% 326,972 1
Wy. Amend. C Worker's compensation fund for Worker's compensation only. 143,920 88.2414% 19,178 163,098 0.33
Wy. Amend. B Initiative/referendum signature requirement change to 15% of 2/3rds of counties ounties. 97,846 61.7605% 60,582 158,428 0.67
Wy. Amend. A Let legislature reapportion at first session after census data available. 117,638 74.9482% 39,321 156,959 1.00

Return to 1998 Election Menu

Return to Institute of Election Analysis Home Page

Contact: Joshua Leinsdorf