As with any good thing, there is also a flip side. Ballot measures are essential to our Democracy; but, they can also lead to dangerous, outrageous measures getting on our ballots. Today's post will highlight a couple measures that primary voters will decide.
In the August 5 Missouri Primary, citizens will see this question: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is a unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right?" The amendment was sponsored in the Missouri General Assembly by State Senator Kurt Schaefer (R-19) as Senate Joint Resolution 36." http://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Right_to_Bear_Arms_Amendment_(August_2014)
The Missouri Governor, Jay Dixon (D), chose to place it on the August 5 primary ballot rather than the November 4 General Election ballot. The Ballotpedia website gives some background on gun laws in Missouri. It also tells proponents of the measure as well as opponents. As you can imagine, Republicans and the NRA are in favor of the measure.
Also on the August 5 Primary Ballot, only in Michigan, is the Use Tax and Community Stabilization Share, Proposal 1.
http://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Use_Tax_and_Community_Stabilization_Share,_Proposal_1_(August_2014)
Interestingly, this is a tax supported by Republicans! "The measure, upon voter approval, would reorganize the state use tax into a state share tax and local community stabilization share tax." This measure has bi-partisan support and is being touted as a "win-win" for communities and citizens in Michigan.
Both of these ballot measures were referred to citizens for a vote by their state legislatures. Only citizens who chose to vote in the primary will have a say in their passage. This is why voting in EVERY election is a right and a duty for every citizen. Ballotpedia and other websites, as well as local newspapers, help citizens to be informed.
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