The 2008 Ballot Initiatives

Promoted by Matt Moon: No matter what your opinion is of the initiative and referendum process in your state, there are very important votes in many states. In addition to what's below, the National Taxpayers Union has compiled a guide of more than 100 ballot measures in 34 states that would affect taxpayers.

The new and invaluable Ballotpedia has built a comprehensive article about all the 2008 ballot initiatives.

All told, there will be 153 statewide ballot propositions on close to 40 state ballots. 61 of these propositions are either initiative or referenda; the others were put on the ballot by state legislative votes or as in the case of the three ballot questions about whether to have a state constitutional convention (Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois) were automatic referrals to the ballot.

You've probably heard of Proposition 8 in California, but you may not know that six measures to authorize gambling are on the ballot, as well as sixteen ballot questions about bond issues totalling $18.5 billion.

That's not to mention a proposition to ban government-sponsored racial preferences in Nebraska (a similar measure is on in Colorado) and much more, including English language requirements, animal rights propositions, marijuana initiatives, corporate welfare regarding energy and alternative fuel, three statewide measures to limit abortion and much more.

See the spin-free Ballot Initiative Report 2008 for the full story. Since Ballotpedia is a wiki, you can sign up and add what you know.