Vote Smart - Facts For All

Meet Civic Sage

Ask real questions about politics—and get clear, factual answers.

Civic Sage pulls directly from Vote Smart's verified, nonpartisan research. No opinions. No spin. Just trusted context.

Built with boundaries, on purpose So you get facts you can trust.

You can ask about:

Your representatives & their biographies
Voting records, legislation, & ballots
Special interest groups & political influence
How government works

HAVE OUR BACKS

ELECTIONS BALLOT MEASURES ELECTION CONTACTS VOTER REGISTRATION

2008 Ballot Measures

State

Year

Issue Category

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Arkansas	Amendment 1: An Amendment Concerning Voting, Qualifications of Voters and Election Officers, and the Time of Holding General Elections	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Amendment 46: Discrimination and Preferential Treatment by the State	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Connecticut	HJ 21: Voting Age	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Iowa	Constitutional Amendment Question: Qualifications of Electors	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Nevada	Question 1: Amend Nevada Constitution (Voter Eligibility)	Failed
May 20, 2008	Oregon	Measure 52: Amends Constitution: Enables Crime Victims to Enforce Existing Constitutional Rights in Prosections, Delinquency Proceedings	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 54: Amends Constitution: Standardizes Voting Eligibility For School Board Elections With Other State And Local Elections	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Washington	Initiative 1000: Initiative Measure No. 1000 concerns allowing certain terminally ill competent adults to obtain lethal prescriptions.	Passed

Criminal Justice

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
June 3, 2008	California	Proposition 99: Eminent Domain. Acquisition of Owner-Occupied Residence. Constitutional Amendment.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 6: Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 5: Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Amendment 53: Criminal Accountability of Business Executives	Failed
May 20, 2008	Oregon	Measure 53: Amends Constitution: Modifies Provisions Governing Civil Forfeitures Related To Crimes; Permits Use Of Proceeds By Law Enforcement	Passed
May 20, 2008	Oregon	Measure 52: Amends Constitution: Enables Crime Victims to Enforce Existing Constitutional Rights in Prosections, Delinquency Proceedings	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 61: Creates Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences for Certain Theft, Identity Theft, Forgery, Drug, and Burglary Crimes	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 57: Increases Sentences for Drug Trafficking, Theft Against Elderly and Specified Repeat Property and Identity Theft Crimes; Requires Addiction Treatment for Certain Offenders	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Carolina	Constitutional Amendment 1: Age of Consent	Passed

Drugs

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 5: Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Referendum N: Elimination of Obsolete Constitutional Provisions Regarding Intoxicating Liquor	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	North Dakota	Statutory Measure 3: Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 61: Creates Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences for Certain Theft, Identity Theft, Forgery, Drug, and Burglary Crimes	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 57: Increases Sentences for Drug Trafficking, Theft Against Elderly and Specified Repeat Property and Identity Theft Crimes; Requires Addiction Treatment for Certain Offenders	Passed

Guns

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Aug. 26, 2008	Alaska	Ballot Measure 2: An Act prohibiting the shooting of wolves and grizzly bears with the use of aircraft	Failed

Legal

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Alabama	Statewide Amendment 5: Alabama Russell County Court Costs Amendment 5	Passed