Today is election day. (For the record, another way to look at such is that there are precisely 371 days until next year’s presidential election. Yes, you did hear me sigh.)
So what’s on the ballot across the country?
Kentucky and Mississippi are each choosing a new Governor, Attorney General, Sec. of State, Auditor, and Treasurer among other state offices.
Ohio has three state issues on the ballot. The most notable one seems “Issue 3,” which would legalize the medical and recreational use of marijuana. Different than in the few states which have previously specified the legal use, cultivation and sale of the drug, Issue 3 would create 10 facilities, known as “Marijuana Growth, Cultivation and Extraction” (MGCE) facilities, with the exclusive commercial rights to grow marijuana. The unwritten asterisk next to the issue is that the 10 facilities will be owned by private investors who have contributed to the campaign. Those benefitting include singer Nick Lachey, basketball legend Oscar Robertson, former Cincinnati Bengal Frostee Rucker, in addition to several others, including a local radio personality and a descendant of President William Howard Taft.
Some believe Issue 3 would grant a monopoly to the producers. Ballotpedia (an excellent, factual resource, by the way) suggests the ballot initiative is more properly called an “oligopoly” — meaning “a system where a few firms are in limited competition with one another and entry into the market is also limited and difficult.”
Note that our Intramuralist audience in Ohio may also be interested in “Issue 2,” which is a constitutional amendment regulating ballot initiatives concerning monopolies. Issue 2 was created in response to Issue 3, in regard to the creation of the 10 facilities which exclusively control commercial production. Should both issues 2 and 3 be approved, Ohio Sec. of State Jon Husted has stated that Issue 2 would invalidate Issue 3. Issue 3 supporters deny such a claim.
Ah, if only legislation and governing was clear and easy.
(…and I wonder why, more and more of us seem to be leaning Libertarian as we age…)
Colorado, no less, is facing a unique school board election in Jeffco Public Schools; such is the largest district (based on enrollment) in the state, located in Jefferson County, a far west suburb of Denver. Following the implementation of a merit pay plan and proposal for to review the AP U.S. History curriculum, many protested against the board during the 2014-2015 school year. Accusations of censorship, wasteful spending, and a lack of transparency were also directed at the current board. From this far out analysis, we cannot tell whether or not the accusations are baseless, valid, or somewhere in between. The bottom line is that the entire school board is up for grabs — and — the current board is being recalled. For lack of better ways to articulate it — and recognizing that our perspective is distant at best — it is difficult to discern what is good and true and right.
Texas has seven state ballot initiatives… including multiple property tax amendments and extending the right to hunt and fish, recognizing such activities as preferred methods for wildlife management.
The State of Washington offers six state ballot measures… more about marijuana and even an initiative addressing penalties for animal trafficking.
In other issues, states, and cities…
Again in Colorado, they will decide two tax issues in regard to marijuana-related issues.
Connecticut schools will hold elections for 42 seats.
Iowa is hosting a special election for the State House Rep. of District 5, which is currently vacated.
Portland, Maine is debating an initiative to raise the city’s minimum wage.
Maine is also voting on whether to increase penalties for violating campaign finance disclosure rules — and whether to adjust political ad disclosure rules.
Portage, Michigan is debating whether they, too, will decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.
Lots of issues… lots of votes. We the people can decide.
Thank God we can still vote in this country. Thank God, too, at least still today, we are a representative democracy.
Respectfully… and off to vote…
AR