分类： 其他平台
2013-10-15 18:12:36
2. antideathpenalty side those backing Proposition 34 has piled up a $6.5 million war chest with the help of famous supporters, including actors Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos. And the "cashstrapped opposition to Proposition 34" is struggling to keep up, says Howard Mintz at the San Jose Mercury News, "with just a few hundred thousand dollars in campaign funds raised so far." That's why deathpenalty supporters are employing online advertisements to spotlight death row villains, the families of victims, and law enforcement officers. Still, "more Californians oppose the measure than support it," says Elizabeth Dias at TIME. the margin is narrowing. A September poll showed 51 percent against and 38 percent for the measure, while one released this month showed 48 percent against and 43 percent in favor.
3. Abortion
Floridians will weigh in on one of the most , divisive questions of the culture war abortion rights. The state's Amendment 6 aims to "bring Florida laws into line with more restrictive federal laws," says Lizette Alvarez at The New York Times. It would ban the use of state tax money to pay for abortions or for health insurance coverage of abortion, except in rare cases, including rape, incest, and when a woman's life is at stake. In practice, most state employees wouldn't be able to use their insurance to cover abortions. Most voters the presidential election as the main event, says Mary Harned at LifeNews, but this vote is one that matters most to abortion opponents. Marijuana
Washington, Oregon, and Colorado are all in the running to become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana. And Washington looks like it's the most likely to take the plunge, says Jonathan Martin at The Seattle Times. "But even with a huge fundraising advantage, and less organized opposition, Initiative 502 is far from a lock." The initiative has a 51 percent to 41 percent lead among all voters, but a narrower, 4740 edge among likely voters. And young people in Washington overwhelmingly support making pot legal, with more than 60 percent giving the measure a thumbs up. "If younger voters are enticed to vote for president, or for the gay marriage initiative, Washington could make history in November."
5. Voter ID
A Minnesota measure would require voter ID at the polls, and predictably, the rhetoric is getting contentious. One court after another has thrown out these laws, including in critical swing states such as Florida and Ohio, because they aim to drive Democraticleaning lowincome and minority voters away from the polls. The Minnesota initiative is just one more effort to do an end run around the consensus that these laws are "unconstitutional, discriminatory, and unnecessary."
SEE MORE: Rainn Wilson's pitch to make Voting Day a national holiday
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
