What's on the ballot? - November 3, 2015
November 2, 2015
By Ballotpedia staff Follow @ballotpedia
The 2015 general election is upon us! Voters in 26 states will take to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in a wide variety of elections. Below is a comprehensive list of the elections being held. But first, here are a few highlights from the most high-profile races:
Jeffco Public Schools District in Colorado
As if one election isn't cause for excitement in Colorado's Jeffco Public Schools, two elections will appear on the ballot on November 3: a general election and a recall election. As a result of these two simultaneous elections, the entire school board is up for grabs in the state's second-largest school district. The recall will attempt to remove the conservative-leaning majority bloc on the board, which represents Districts 1, 2 and 5. Of the two seats up for regular election this year, neither incumbent filed to run for re-election, which guarantees that two newcomers will join the board, representing Districts 3 and 4. If all three majority bloc board members are recalled, the district will see an entirely new board in the wake of the November election, something that has never before happened in the district.[1]
In the year leading up to the election, the school district attracted national attention after being rocked by controversy over the implementation of teacher merit pay and accusations of curriculum censorship, wasteful spending and a lack of transparency by the board. The recall petition was filed by Jeffco United for Action. The group accused the majority bloc of attempting to censor A.P. U.S. history classes, pushing out over 700 district educators due to their new policies, wasting "millions of taxpayer dollars," violating open meeting laws, limiting public input at board meetings, bullying students and parents, and releasing private student information without consent.[2][3]
In response, all three board members highlighted what they saw as positive changes they helped bring about in the district, including raising teacher salaries, making union negotiations transparent, providing free full-day kindergarten to families in need and bringing greater equality to the process by which its schools are funded. The waters between the recall election and the general election are becoming increasingly muddied; candidates running in the general election have come out either in support of or in opposition to the recall and, by association, the reforms that inspired it.[4][1]
Kentucky gubernatorial election
With incumbent Gov. Steve Beshear (D) termed out, a race that had been labeled "leaning Democrat" just a few days ago has been reinvigorated by a new round of RGA spending. Despite having pulled funding two weeks prior, the RGA made a $1 million ad buy for the final two weeks of the campaign between GOP candidate Matt Bevin and Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway. Bevin is looking to become only the second Republican governor of Kentucky in the last 44 years, in what WVXU political reporter Howard Wilkinson calls "the only really competitive gubernatorial race in the country."[5][6][7][8]
Ohio Issue 3
Ohio could become the fifth state to legalize marijuana if voters approve Issue 3 in November. The measure would legalize the medical and recreational use of the drug and create 10 facilities, known as Marijuana Growth, Cultivation and Extraction (MGCE) facilities, with exclusive commercial rights to grow marijuana. This last point—the creation of the 10 facilities, which would be owned by private investors who contributed to the campaign—has caused significant controversy, leading some voters who support marijuana legalization to say they will not be voting in favor of the measure. Opponents fear Issue 3 would create a monopoly benefitting the owners of the 10 MGCE facilities.[9][10]
Although the term monopoly has been used by opponents, Ballotpedia's analysis concludes that the measure could create an oligopoly instead. Regardless, the measure caused enough tumult for the Ohio State Legislature to get involved, referring a competing measure to the ballot, Issue 2. If it passes, Issue 2 would require voters to approve two questions pertaining to citizen initiatives establishing economic monopolies. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted (R) has said Issue 2 would invalidate Issue 3 if both are approved in November. Supporters of Issue 3 will likely take the issue to the Ohio Supreme Court, if it comes to that. Whatever the outcome, Issue 3 will set the tone for 2016, when voters may see more marijuana legalization measures on the ballot than ever before.[11][12]
Note: Click on the links below for more details about each race and election results.
Arizona
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Tucson - General elections for mayor and city council.
Local ballot measures
- Tucson - Four measures, including an initiative designed to ban photographic traffic enforcement.
California
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- San Francisco - General elections for mayor and city council.
School boards
- See also: California school board elections, 2015
- Thirty-nine California school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for 102 seats.
Local ballot measures
- California voters will decide 61 local measures, including 11 in San Francisco.
Colorado
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Aurora - General elections for mayor and city council.
School boards
- See also: Colorado school board elections, 2015
- Twenty-one Colorado school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for 65 seats on November 3, 2015.
Local ballot measures
- Denver - Four measures, including a marijuana sales tax question and a "college affordability" sales tax question.
- Aurora - One initiative seeking to allow public subsidies of motor sports facilities.
- Manitou Springs - A marijuana sales tax revenue retention question.
- Pueblo County - Two marijuana tax-related measures.
State ballot measures
- See also: Colorado 2015 ballot measures
Connecticut
School boards
- See also: Connecticut school board elections, 2015
- Nine Connecticut school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 42 seats.
Florida
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Hialeah - Primary elections for city council.
- Miami - General elections for city council.
- Orlando - General elections for mayor and city council.
- St. Petersburg - General elections for city council.
Georgia
State legislatures
- Special election for District 43 of the Georgia State Senate.
- Special elections for District 92 and District 122 of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Idaho
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Boise - General elections for mayor and city council.
Indiana
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Fort Wayne - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Indianapolis - General elections for mayor and city council.
Iowa
State legislatures
- Special election for District 5 of the Iowa House of Representatives.
Kentucky
State executives
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Auditor
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- Treasurer
Judicial
- See also: Judicial candidates, 2015
- General elections for a seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court and the 30th District Court.
Maine
Local ballot measures
- Portland - Minimum wage increase
State legislatures
- Special elections for District 19 and District 23 of the Maine House of Representatives.
State ballot measures
- See also: Maine 2015 ballot measures
- "Clean Elections" Initiative, Question 1
- Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors Bond, Question 2
- Transportation Bond, Question 3
Massachusetts
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Boston - General elections for city council.
School boards
- Nine Massachusetts school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 51 seats.
State legislatures
- Special election for Second Plymouth & Bristol District of the Massachusetts State Senate.
Michigan
Local ballot measures
- Portage - Marijuana decriminalization proposal
State legislatures
- Special primary elections for District 75, District 80 and District 82 of the Michigan House of Representatives.
Minnesota
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- St. Paul - General elections for city council.
School boards
- See also: Minnesota school board elections, 2015
- Nine Minnesota school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 33 seats.
State legislatures
- Special election for District 46A of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Mississippi
State executives
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Auditor
- Treasurer
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- Commissioner of Insurance
- Public Service Commission (3 seats)
Judicial
- See also: Judicial candidates, 2015
- General elections for seats on the Mississippi Chancery Courts and the Mississippi Circuit Courts.
School boards
- See also: Mississippi school board elections, 2015
- Jackson County School District: 1 seat
State legislatures
- See also: State legislative elections, 2015
State ballot measures
- See also: Mississippi 2015 ballot measures
Missouri
School boards
- See also: Missouri school board elections, 2015
- Kansas City Public Schools: 1 seat
State legislatures
- Special elections for District 29, District 36 and District 89 of the Missouri House of Representatives.
New Hampshire
School boards
- Manchester School District: 14 seats
- Nashua School District: 5 seats
New Jersey
School boards
- See also: New Jersey school board elections, 2015
- Sixteen New Jersey school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment held elections for 51 seats.
State legislatures
- New Jersey state House
- Special election for District 5 of the New Jersey State Senate.
New York
Judicial
- See also: Judicial candidates, 2015
- General elections for a number of seats on varying levels of courts across the state.
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Buffalo - General elections for city council.
School boards
- See also: New York school board elections, 2015
- Rochester City School District: 4 seats
- Syracuse City School District: 4 seats
State legislatures
- Special elections for District 19 and District 52 of the New York State Senate.
- Special elections for District 29, District 46 and District 128 of the New York State Assembly.
North Carolina
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Charlotte - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Durham - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Greensboro - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Raleigh - Runoff election for city council.
School boards
- Burke County Public Schools: 4 seats
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools: 4 seats
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 3 seats
- Cleveland County Schools: 5 seats
Pennsylvania
Judicial
- See also: Judicial candidates, 2015
- General elections for three seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a number of seats on varying levels of intermediate appellate and local courts across the state.
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Philadelphia - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Pittsburgh - General elections for city council.
School boards
- Eighteen Pennsylvania school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 91 seats.
State legislatures
- Special election for District 37 of the Pennsylvania State Senate.
Ohio
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Columbus - General elections for mayor and city council.
- Cleveland - General election for city council.
- Toledo - General elections for mayor and city council.
School boards
- See also: Ohio school board elections, 2015
- Nineteen Ohio school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 46 seats.
Local ballot measures
- See also: November 3, 2015 ballot measures in Ohio
- Youngstown - "Community bill of rights" and fracking ban initiative
State ballot measures
- See also: Ohio 2015 ballot measures
- Bipartisan Redistricting Commission Amendment, Issue 1
- Initiated Monopolies Amendment, Issue 2
- Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Issue 3
Oregon
Local ballot measures
- Coos County - "Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance" initiative
South Carolina
School boards
- Spartanburg County School District 6: 4 seats
- Spartanburg School District 2: 5 seats
Texas
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Houston - General elections for mayor and city council.
School boards
- See also: Texas school board elections, 2015
- Eleven Texas school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 34 seats.
Local ballot measures
- Houston - Proposition 1: HERO Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum
State legislatures
- Special election for District 118 of the Texas House of Representatives.
State ballot measures
- See also: Texas 2015 ballot measures
- Homestead Exemption for School District Property Taxes Amendment, Proposition 1
- Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans Amendment, Proposition 2
- State Capital Residency Repeal Amendment, Proposition 3
- Sports Team Charitable Foundation Raffles Amendment, Proposition 4
- Population Requirement for Private Road Work Amendment, Proposition 5
- Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Amendment, Proposition 6
- Sales and Use Tax Revenue for Transportation Amendment, Proposition 7
Virginia
School boards
- See also: Virginia school board elections, 2015
- Twenty Virginia school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 102 seats.
State legislatures
- See also: State legislative elections, 2015
Washington
Judicial
- See also: Judicial candidates, 2015
- General election for a seat on the Grays Harbor County Superior Court. Thirteen other races feature only one uncontested candidate.
Municipal government
- See also: United States municipal elections, 2015
- Seattle - General elections for city council.
School boards
- See also: Washington school board elections, 2015
- Thirty-four Washington school districts among America's largest school districts by enrollment will hold elections for 102 seats.
Local ballot measures
- Seattle - Two measures: a campaign finance and elections-related measure, Initiative No. 122, and a transportation levy, Proposition No. 1
- King County - Charter Amendment No. 1: a civilian law enforcement oversight question
- Tacoma - A $15 per hour minimum wage initiative, Initiative No. 1, and the city council's alternative $12 per hour minimum wage proposal, Initiative No. 1B
State legislatures
- Special elections for District 9a and District 30b of the Washington House of Representatives.
State ballot measures
- See also: Washington 2015 ballot measures
- Sales Tax Decrease or Two-Thirds Vote for Tax Increase, Initiative 1366
- Animal Trafficking, Initiative 1401
- Oil Spill Prevention Taxes Advisory Vote No. 10
- Medical Marijuana Patient Database Fee Advisory Vote No. 11
- Gas Tax Increase Advisory Vote No. 12
- Elimination of Tax Preferences for Manufacturing Advisory Vote No. 13
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Colorado Public Radio, "In JeffCo, Recall Vote Brings Years Of Turmoil To A Head," October 19, 2015
- ↑ Jefferson County Elections, "Election Information - What's on the 2015 Coordinated Election Ballot?" accessed October 9, 2015
- ↑ Chalkbeat Colorado, "Jeffco parents seek recall of school board majority," June 26, 2015
- ↑ 9 News, "JeffCo recall effort gets underway," July 9, 2015
- ↑ WVXU.org, "Conway-Bevin Race In Kentucky Going Down To The Wire," September 27, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, “Kentucky Governors race tilts towards Democrats,“ October 16, 2015
- ↑ WKYT.com, “RGA back on the air in Kentucky governor's race,” October 20, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Times, “Key GOP group stops running ads in Kentucky governor’s race,” September 28, 2015
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Issue 3," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ NPR, "Fears Of Marijuana 'Monopoly' In Ohio Undercut Support For Legalization," September 2, 2015
- ↑ Ohio Legislature, "House Joint Resolution 4," accessed June 24, 2015
- ↑ The Plain Dealer, "Lawmakers propose constitutional amendment that could block marijuana legalization effort," June 16, 2015
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