On the Ballot

▪ Same-Sex Marriage
Three states will decide whether to change their constitutions to prevent courts from overturning laws barring same-sex marriage. Polls show voters are fairly evenly divided. In 2004, the Massachusetts high court legalized gay marriage. There are now 27 states with constitutional bans.

Florida
A Mason-Dixon poll this month found 55% of Florida voters favor the State’s proposed constitutional amendment – which is not enough to make the amendment law. Florida requires 60% to pass ballot measures.

Arizona
A similar measure to the one that Arizona will vote on was rejected in 2006.

California
Proposition 8 has generated a lot of controversy. Here’s just one of them.

▪ Abortion
Voters in three states will have a chance to express their opinion on the issue of abortion.

Colorado
Abortion will be unconstitutional in Colorado if voters approve the measure defining life. Opponents say it will also stop research on human embryonic stem cells.

South Dakota
A ban on abortion on the ballot in South Dakota has an exception if a woman was raped or her health is in danger. A similar measure failed two years ago.

California
A California proposal would require parental notification before a minor could have an abortion. A similar measure was rejected two years ago.

▪ Doctor-assisted Suicide
One state has doctor-assisted suicide on the ballot.

Washington
Voters in Washington State will decide whether to follow the lead of Oregon which became the first state to allow physicians to assist terminally ill patients who wished to end their own lives.