So... just because Im a politically active person, and enjoy analysis, Im going to go out on a limb and make some predictions for the seven state wide Ballot Measure in today’s Oregon election. One thing about this years Ballot measures, is that not only are there fewer than usual, but more importantly, there hasnt been nearly as much campaigning pro and con for some of the more controversial ones than usual. Measure 86 (College education assistance) Virtually nothing about it on the electoral radar; should pass on general principals... people still believe in College education and want to see it continue as a goal. PREDICTION: PASS. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. Measure 87 (Judges allowed to serve in National Guard and Colleges; Teachers allowed to serve in Legislature) An administrative no brainer vote with no opposition. PREDICTION: PASS. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. Measure 88 (Upholds Drivers licenses for potentially illegal immigrants) Very little campaigning on this one, mostly Negative. I believe that fear and red-herring ads will create a negative vote. When ever a citizens based initiative/ballot measure creates a voters choice, i.e., forcing a vote on something the Legislature has done, its an indication of very strong grass-roots feelings. PREDICTION: FAIL. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. Measure 89 (Guarantees Equal rights regardless of gender) Wow... the ERA finally ratified...?!? Too bad its 2014, not the 70s or 80s still. And even more sadly, that it still wont be nation wide. Good to see were at least not still having to debate this one; remember when this was a hotly debated concept...? PREDICTION: PASS. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. Measure 90 (Creates open Primary/top two type of Primary elections) Hard to call this one; there hasnt been a LOT of campaigning on it, and I dont know if I trust either side. I think fear tactics, and lack of understanding about the Primary process and history will make it fail. PREDICTION: FAIL. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. Measure 91 (Legalizes controlled use and sale of Marijuana) Im amazed that there hasnt a strong No campaign on this; does it mean that the anti-legalization forces have basically given up, at least in a demographic like Oregon? (Oregon being so similar to Washington & Colorado, whove recently legalized Pot). Could it simply be the 100th Monkey type of thing, and theres a critical mass? (Personally, I think its too early for that hope, nationwide...) I believe this will be the closest of all the ballot measures, but will go out on the limb – or plant – of optimism and say: PREDICTION: PASS. PERSONAL VOTE: YES. (And btw, I havent used any kind of pot since the early 80s; I just believe in its legalization.) Measure 92 (Mandates labeling of certain foods that use GMO) The huge amount of money, esp by out of state and large Corporations, spent on defeating this measure has blown previous campaign records away. Massive money, spent on false and misleading ads, inciting fear, will once again make Oregonians an electorate herd of sheep when enough money is spent. PREDICTION: FAIL. PERSONAL VOTE: YES.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:26:07 +0000
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