Mundane election matters for your locale

[Torn Mind]

MD is posing the following "boring" constitutional amendments:
1. renaming it's two higher appeal courts.
2. politician eligbility
3. Civil Jury Trials, where the minimum allowed controversy amount gets increased to $25,000
5. whether Howard County should continue to vote separate judges for Orphan's Court.

Moved from OT.
admin allisolm

 

[nakedfrog]

Ballotpedia is good for this.
Or living in the great state of WA where you get a voter's pamphlet that goes over the items on your ballot.

 

[skyking]

Ballotpedia is good for this.
Or living in the great state of WA where you get a voter's pamphlet that goes over the items on your ballot.

Welcome, and enjoy

 

[Captante]

MD is posing the following "boring" constitutional amendments:

Ballotpedia is good for this.

Know what else is "good for this" ??


<-------------<<<<<< P&N.

 

[nakedfrog]

Welcome, and enjoy

Oh, I assure you, I am

 

[Captante]

Oh, I assure you, I am

Careful..... you've warped over into the bad-scary forum!

 

[BoomerD]

Ballotpedia is good for this.
Or living in the great state of WA where you get a voter's pamphlet that goes over the items on your ballot.

I live in a small beach town of about 6500 permanent residents...but on major holidays, population can swell to 50,000 with folks who own vacation homes, RV lots, and day visitors/hotel guests. (skyking has been one of the RV lot owners for a long time)

The city is pushing to get a bond passed to build a new $12 million police station...we have (I think) 6 full time cops plus a few office staff. While we might need a new po-po house, we damned sure don't need a $12 million ($20 million with interest on the bond) cop shop.
The townfolk are pretty divided on this. Gonna be a fight to get it passed...but I suspect it will.

 

[sdifox]

I live in a small beach town of about 6500 permanent residents...but on major holidays, population can swell to 50,000 with folks who own vacation homes, RV lots, and day visitors/hotel guests. (skyking has been one of the RV lot owners for a long time)

The city is pushing to get a bond passed to build a new $12 million police station...we have (I think) 6 full time cops plus a few office staff. While we might need a new po-po house, we damned sure don't need a $12 million ($20 million with interest on the bond) cop shop.
The townfolk are pretty divided on this. Gonna be a fight to get it passed...but I suspect it will.

Why would you deny the great police access to HIMARS

 

[nakedfrog]

I live in a small beach town of about 6500 permanent residents...but on major holidays, population can swell to 50,000 with folks who own vacation homes, RV lots, and day visitors/hotel guests. (skyking has been one of the RV lot owners for a long time)

The city is pushing to get a bond passed to build a new $12 million police station...we have (I think) 6 full time cops plus a few office staff. While we might need a new po-po house, we damned sure don't need a $12 million ($20 million with interest on the bond) cop shop.
The townfolk are pretty divided on this. Gonna be a fight to get it passed...but I suspect it will.

Lacey is planning to spend $40 million on their new police station, $4 million for just the land. They've got 60 officers though. Still seems a bit much...

 

[skyking]

I'd prefer the more distributed policing like they have all over Pierce County.

 

[Zorba]

My city is voting to rezone a patch by the highway from single family to multi family and commercial. Not sure why it's on the ballot, probably some old covenant on the land or something. No other state or local questions.

 

[Torn Mind]

Know what else is "good for this" ??


<-------------<<<<<< P&N.

Technically yes. Thought I will let you know that the precise matters are likely not hot enough to produce the usual fare. Neither here nor there...

 

[balloonshark]

So this is what is on my ballot in WV. No idea how I should vote as they usually design these things to be confusing. They look pretty darn important though considering what is going on in other red states. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

* Amendment No. 1: Clarification of the Judiciary's Role in Impeachment Proceedings Amendment
Summary of Purpose: Clarifying that courts have no authority or jurisdiction to intercede or intervene in or interfere with impeachment proceedings of the House of Delegates or the Senate; and specifying that a judgment rendered by the Senate following an impeachment trial is not reviewable by any court of this state.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 2: Property Tax Modernization Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To amend the State Constitution by providing the Legislature with authority to exempt tangible machinery and equipment personal property directly used in business activity and tangible inventory personal property directly used in business activity and personal property tax on motor vehicles from ad valorem property taxation by general law.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 3: Incorporation of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To authorize the incorporation of churches or religious denominations.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 4: Education Accountability Amendment
Summary of Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the rules and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education, are subject to legislative review, approval, amendment, or rejection.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".

 

[Zorba]

So this is what is on my ballot in WV. No idea how I should vote as they usually design these things to be confusing. They look pretty darn important though considering what is going on in other red states. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

* Amendment No. 1: Clarification of the Judiciary's Role in Impeachment Proceedings Amendment
Summary of Purpose: Clarifying that courts have no authority or jurisdiction to intercede or intervene in or interfere with impeachment proceedings of the House of Delegates or the Senate; and specifying that a judgment rendered by the Senate following an impeachment trial is not reviewable by any court of this state.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 2: Property Tax Modernization Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To amend the State Constitution by providing the Legislature with authority to exempt tangible machinery and equipment personal property directly used in business activity and tangible inventory personal property directly used in business activity and personal property tax on motor vehicles from ad valorem property taxation by general law.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 3: Incorporation of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To authorize the incorporation of churches or religious denominations.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 4: Education Accountability Amendment
Summary of Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the rules and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education, are subject to legislative review, approval, amendment, or rejection.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".

Been straight line no for me.

No.1: They don't want the courts to have a say in the legality of how they conduct impeachments. Seems like they want to make sure they can get away with something.
No.2: Looks like a giveaway to businesses, probably mostly in specific sectors that donate a lot of money.
No.3: No idea what this is about, but government and religion should stay away from each other.
No.4: Republicans are butt hurt than schools boards and state boards attempted to do the right things during COVID and they want to have veto power to make them do the republican thing. In general state legislators should stay out of education as much as possible, but this is an obvious power grab to enforce increasing extreme positions on education.

 

[Torn Mind]

Ballotpedia is good for this.
Or living in the great state of WA where you get a voter's pamphlet that goes over the items on your ballot.

I got a pamphlet. I would not have posted this thread otherwise.
Ballotpedia does ignore some local places.

The two questions in my current county involve changing the way the County attorney can get removed from office and whether to allow "class B alcohol" licenses in a particular area.

My theoretical take on the county's amendment is that it would make it even harder to actually remove the County attorney as it would require the consent of both the county council and the county executive. Would make it easier to publish a public reprimand.

Probably won't matter in practical sense because it's an old boys' club and the last permanent county attorney stayed on for 37 years.

How the matter is presented to the public does not go into the above. Local magazines say that it allows the legislature to have a say and that it is better from a balance of power standpoint. In actuality, it basically makes the county attorney systematically immune to removal and not dependent on the whims and relationship with the county executive.

Registered voters in the county will decide in November whether to tweak the process for the removal of the county attorney. Marc Hansen, the county attorney who retired earlier this year, suggested the proposed change, in part, to remove the appearance of bias toward one branch of government, according to a letter Hansen sent to the council.
Currently under the county charter, the county executive appoints the county attorney, and then the County Council can approve the appointment in a majority vote. The charter does not currently include the council if the county executive decided to remove the county attorney.
Under the proposed charter amendment, the council or executive could remove the county attorney through defined processes, which would create more of a balance of power between branches of government, according to Hansen.
For example, under one scenario, if the county executive chooses to fire the county attorney, then the executive must provide notice to the council within three days. The council would be required to approve the firing by a majority vote and would have 30 days to do so after receiving the notice. If the council did not act within 30 days, then the county attorney would not be removed.

And of course, the attorney exploits the lay mind by presenting it as less biased and not detailing how the law actually functions; politicians with a law background do the same thing every time. What matters is the ability to remove, and requiring consent of two bodies makes the entity systemically more difficult to remove.

 

[Torn Mind]

I live in a small beach town of about 6500 permanent residents...but on major holidays, population can swell to 50,000 with folks who own vacation homes, RV lots, and day visitors/hotel guests. (skyking has been one of the RV lot owners for a long time)

The city is pushing to get a bond passed to build a new $12 million police station...we have (I think) 6 full time cops plus a few office staff. While we might need a new po-po house, we damned sure don't need a $12 million ($20 million with interest on the bond) cop shop.
The townfolk are pretty divided on this. Gonna be a fight to get it passed...but I suspect it will.

Small town cops have it cushy. Very little threat to life, not too much activity, and they got the local people in power on their side. Because there are so few in the force, it becomes impossible to truly win any grievance against them since they protect their own. They are playing with house money.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Got some good ones this time:

Non-Trumpie R Governor Baker not seeking re-election, AG Healey versus Trumpie backed Diehl - 538 polling

Ballot Measures (binding)

LRCA	Question 1	Taxes	Creates a 4% tax on incomes that exceed $1 million for education and transportation purposes
IndISS	Question 2	Healthcare	Enacts a medical loss ratio of 83% for dental insurance plans beginning on January 1, 2024
IndISS	Question 3	Alcohol	Changes the number of licenses per establishment granted incrementally from no more than 12 in 2023 to no more than 18 by 2031 and prohibits in-store automated and self-checkout sales of alcohol
VR	Question 4	Transportation	Changes who is authorized to receive a driver's license

I voted Yes on all, but Question 3 I was hesitant and maybe even a little regret. IMO, it could put smaller stores at risk of losing business.

 

[Torn Mind]

So this is what is on my ballot in WV. No idea how I should vote as they usually design these things to be confusing. They look pretty darn important though considering what is going on in other red states. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

* Amendment No. 1: Clarification of the Judiciary's Role in Impeachment Proceedings Amendment
Summary of Purpose: Clarifying that courts have no authority or jurisdiction to intercede or intervene in or interfere with impeachment proceedings of the House of Delegates or the Senate; and specifying that a judgment rendered by the Senate following an impeachment trial is not reviewable by any court of this state.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 2: Property Tax Modernization Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To amend the State Constitution by providing the Legislature with authority to exempt tangible machinery and equipment personal property directly used in business activity and tangible inventory personal property directly used in business activity and personal property tax on motor vehicles from ad valorem property taxation by general law.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 3: Incorporation of Churches or Religious Denominations Amendment
Summary of Purpose: To authorize the incorporation of churches or religious denominations.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".
------------

* Amendment No. 4: Education Accountability Amendment
Summary of Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the rules and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education, are subject to legislative review, approval, amendment, or rejection.

Instructions to Voters:
To vote in favor of the Amendment submitted, darken the oval next to "FOR". To vote against the Amendment, darken the oval next to "AGAINST".

I think incorporation of churches simply allows churches to form a proper corporate entity with some form of limited liability. Interestingly, West Virginia is the last holdout in not allowing churches the ability to incorporate.

https://www.simmsshowerslaw.com/west-virginias-complicated-relationship-with-church-incorporation/

I think Amendment 2 would pass because motorist don't mind not paying the yearly property tax on their vehicle. https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/...cle_d818e132-5219-11ed-bea7-f74c351cbb7e.html

Amendment 1 is very contextual. Is the court the corrupt entity, or is it the legislature?
In pure isolation, it becomes easier to remove someone out of office if the courts are kept out.

 

[Ken g6]

We have issues with real substances here in Colorado. Three on alcohol, and one that's probably about magic mushrooms. (But it talks about "natural medicine", so if weed weren't legalized here already I'd think that was the topic.)

 

[BoomerD]

We have issues with real substances here in Colorado. Three on alcohol, and one that's probably about magic mushrooms. (But it talks about "natural medicine", so if weed weren't legalized here already I'd think that was the topic.)

Mushrooms or peyote.

 

[sactoking]

Had some hags come by my house today while I was teaching the kids to ride their bikes. They (the hags) wanted me to vote for "the conservative guy" in one of my local nonpartisan elections. They also wanted me to vote 'No' on State Question 1 to amend the State Constitution to enshrine equal rights because I "shouldn't be fooled, it's not about equal rights at all. It's about men getting into women's sports and using their bathrooms."

I told them I had already voted (by mail, no less!) and enjoyed their shock when they learned I would do such a thing.

 

[DaaQ]

Had some hags come by my house today while I was teaching the kids to ride their bikes. They (the hags) wanted me to vote for "the conservative guy" in one of my local nonpartisan elections. They also wanted me to vote 'No' on State Question 1 to amend the State Constitution to enshrine equal rights because I "shouldn't be fooled, it's not about equal rights at all. It's about men getting into women's sports and using their bathrooms."

I told them I had already voted (by mail, no less!) and enjoyed their shock when they learned I would do such a thing.

We had a long time Democrat, so my wife was told, run as republican, for sheriff, otherwise he would have never even made it to the general.

Seems like a decent guy.

At least he is NOT letting his 10 yr old son tase ppl and go on drug bust so far. as the sheriff previous to the last cycle did.

 

[Fenixgoon]

MD is posing the following "boring" constitutional amendments:
1. renaming it's two higher appeal courts.
2. politician eligbility
3. Civil Jury Trials, where the minimum allowed controversy amount gets increased to $25,000
5. whether Howard County should continue to vote separate judges for Orphan's Court.

Moved from OT.
admin allisolm

bruh you skipped the interesting one - question 4 - lets go legalize dat weeeeeeeeed!
(and i don't even smoke. i HATE the smell. but let's face it, legal weed needs to be a thing)


also don't forget other "boring" elections like board of education members.
one candidate in my area wrote "i admite ronald reagan and donald trump." that candidate did not receive my vote.

 

[Torn Mind]

bruh you skipped the interesting one - question 4 - lets go legalize dat weeeeeeeeed!
(and i don't even smoke. i HATE the smell. but let's face it, legal weed needs to be a thing)


also don't forget other "boring" elections like board of education members.
one candidate in my area wrote "i admite ronald reagan and donald trump." that candidate did not receive my vote.

It isn't a mundane matter.

I'm not onboard for weed legalization and it's was probably the first moving force for getting my butt to even vote this year.

 

[ch33zw1z]

It isn't a mundane matter.

I'm not onboard for weed legalization and it's was probably the first moving force for getting my butt to even vote this year.

you’re anti weed and that’s your motivator? Yikes