The Tuesday Count: States beginning to solidify 2016 ballots

March 10, 2015

Edited by Brittany Clingen

Statewide ballots for 2016 are beginning to take shape, as one legislatively referred constitutional amendment was certified for the November 2016 ballot in Utah and three more are a step closer to the general election ballot in Virginia. Local ballots are filling up with measures that address hot-button issues, including marijuana, pensions and sports stadiums.

Utah Oath of Office, Amendment A certified:

Voters in Utah will see at least one measure on their 2016 ballot. On March 2, 2015, the Utah Senate approved House Joint Resolution 8 by a vote of 24 to 1, thereby landing Amendment A on the 2016 general election ballot. It had previously passed the House by a vote of 69 to 8. If approved by voters on November 8, 2016, the measure would make minor changes to the oath of office that each elected and appointed state official must take and subscribe to before entering into his or her respective office.

The current oath of office reads: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." The proposed oath of office, which would be enacted with voter approval, reads: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

The amendment changing the oath was proposed by Rep. Kraig Powell (R-54). He explained the proposed changes, saying, "Please remember that the point of the bill was that the word ‘Utah’ is not currently in the oath of office."

Three potential amendments survive Virginia's 2015 legislative session:

Three legislatively referred constitutional amendments were approved by the Virginia General Assembly during its 2015 legislative session. At least two others did not fare as well and were defeated. In Virginia, a majority vote is required in two successive sessions of the General Assembly in order for an amendment to be put before voters. If all three amendments are approved again during the 2016 legislative session, they will appear on the November 2016 ballot.

The three potential amendments address the establishment of charter schools, the implementation of "right-to-work" laws and the creation of a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police and service personnel killed in the line of duty. Both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously approved the property tax exemption amendment.

Votes for the "right-to-work" and charter school amendments, however, were largely split along party lines, with Republicans supporting them and Democrats dissenting. With assembly members already voicing arguments in support or opposition of the potential measures, the 2016 election in Virginia could prove to be a contentious one if both measures ultimately land on the ballot.

Local spotlight

Phoenix voters to see third pension reform proposal in as many years:

Just months after voters rejected Proposition 487, a citizen-initiated proposal for comprehensive pension reform, the Phoenix City Council voted six-against-three to put another pension-related measure on the August 25 ballot. Opponents critique the complex proposal as merely a band-aid where a complete overhaul is required. Supporters say the measure will save taxpayers money by helping to stop pension spiking, fix problems with pension reform approved in 2013 and offer reforms that everyone will support.

For details about this measure, read more here.

Owners of San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders, eager to move their teams to Los Angeles, circulate initiative for joint stadium:

After a two-decade absence of a professional football team in Los Angeles, 2015 features three teams all jockeying for a chance to call the City of Angels home. The latest attempt consists of an initiative to rezone land in Carson for a privately funded, $1.7 billion, 70,000-seat stadium development to house both the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. Petitioners hope to have signatures collected by mid-April.

In February, the Inglewood City Council approved a stadium plan backed by the owner of the St. Louis Rams, after an initiative petition with about 20,000 signatures was submitted. None of the teams seeking a place in LA have received final approval from the NFL.

To see which teams, if any, ultimately move to LA, watch this page on the Rams stadium and this article about the Raiders-Chargers stadium.

Future of Wichita marijuana decriminalization uncertain after a letter from the attorney general says initiative is illegal:

The Wichita City Council found itself stuck between a rock and hard place last week over the marijuana decriminalization initiative slated for the city's April ballot. On one hand, the council already voted to put the initiative on the ballot after an initiative petition with thousands of voter signatures was submitted. On the other hand, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt wrote an official letter to the city declaring the initiative in conflict with state law, demanding the initiative be removed from the ballot and implying his office could promptly launch a lawsuit against the city if the measure is enacted.

San Marino Unified School District voters to decide parcel tax today:

Two-thirds of active district voters need to approve Measure E in today's election for the district to continue to levy its $865-per-parcel tax, which provides about $4 million a year for the district.

See this article for election results as soon as they are released, beginning at about 9:00 p.m. PST.

Other measures in the news

• New York Transportation Infrastructure Bond (2015): Democratic lawmakers proposed a $4.5 billion bond for transportation projects in New York.
• California “Sodomite Suppression” Initiative (2016): An initiative filed by an unknown lawyer named Matt McLaughlin would have the state put gay and lesbian people to death.
• Utah Appointed Board of Education Amendment (2016): The Utah Senate approves an amendment making members of the State Board of Education appointed, rather than elected.

See also

2015 ballot measures

Tuesday Count • 2015 Scorecard

• Ballotpedia's Tuesday Count for 2015
• 2015 ballot measures
• Local ballot measure elections in 2015