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FACTBOX-U.S. ballot initiatives and the 2008 election

18 Aug 2008 12:08:27 GMT
Source: Reuters

Aug 18 (Reuters) - Ballot initiatives allow voters to directly decide whether to change state laws or amend state constitutions. They are a staple of U.S. elections and have played a big role in recent presidential races.

The proposals are placed on the ballots in presidential or congressional election years. Proposed amendments to ban gay marriage in several states energized the Republican Party's conservative Christian base and played a role in President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election victory.

Following are some of the initiatives that have qualified to be on the ballot or are in the works. They could have an impact on the November White House election.

OVERVIEW:

- According to Ballotwatch, a University of Southern California institute that monitors such trends, by early August, there were 112 ballot propositions set for the November election in 30 states.

The number is likely to grow as several still need to go through the verification process and state legislatures may come up with additional measures.

GAY MARRIAGE/GAY RIGHTS:

CALIFORNIA - Voters will be asked to amend their state constitution to recognize marriage as only between a man and a woman in a bid to override a court ruling allowing same-sex unions. Similar proposals will be on the ballot in the battleground states of Arizona and Florida.

ARKANSAS - Signatures are being sought to propose a measure to change state law to ban unmarried couples from adopting or serving as foster parents.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/CIVIL RIGHTS

COLORADO - A proposed constitutional amendment will be on the November ballot in Colorado that says: "The state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any group or individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public contracting or public education."

Attempts are under way to get similar proposals on the ballot in Arizona and Nebraska. The initiatives are seen injecting race into the campaign.

ABORTION:

CALIFORNIA - Voters will be asked to make it a requirement for parental notification and a waiting period before a minor can have an abortion.

SOUTH DAKOTA - Voters will be asked to ban abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy threatens the mother's health or life.

ANIMAL RIGHTS/WELFARE:

CALIFORNIA - Proposition 2 will seek a constitutional amendment that requires minimum living space for farm animals, including pregnant pigs and egg-laying hens.

OKLAHOMA - State Question 742 seeks to establish a state constitutional right to hunt and fish.

ALASKA - Ballot Measure 2 will ask voters to ban aerial hunting of bears and wolves.

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT

CALIFORNIA - Voters will be asked to authorize up to $5 billion in incentives to buyers of high fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles. It would also approve incentives for developing renewable energy technologies and fuels.

GEORGIA - A constitutional amendment is being sought to encourage the preservation, conservation and protection of the state's forests.

(Additional reporting by Steve Barnes in Little Rock)

(Sources: Reuters, California Secretary of State, Florida Department of State, South Dakota Secretary of State, Family Research Council, American Civil Rights Institute, Ballot Watch, National Conference of State Legislatures)

(Compiled by Ed Stoddard and Tim Gaynor; Editing by Stacey Joyce)

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