The big story tonight, honestly I think, are the ballot initiatives. Here’s a partial list (note, I’m ignoring some really shitty ones, and the ones I know nothing about whatsoever, but…)
- Colorado ended slavery in prisons
- Florida added a constitutional amendment enfranchising felons
- Maryland got same-day voter registration
- Massachussetts got gender identity protection
- Michigan got straight-ticket voting, automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, and no-excuse absentee ballots as well as independent redistricting!
- Missouri is getting $12 minimum wage by 2023 (currently it’s $7.85)
- Nebraska expanded Medicaid
- Oregon refused to ban public money for abortion
Then there’s taking the House, coming to a near miss in Texas Senate (get Beto more funding and have him take another shot in 2020, he’d do more good challenging for Senate again than running for President and losing the primary early), some state houses and senates, some governorships (even if not as many as we’d like)…
Over all, though it doesn’t FEEL like it because the big name races didn’t go great and the Senate got worse, this WAS a good night.
Caveat: these are all preliminary, but that’s what the numbers seem to show right now
I want to add one in my state: Washington votes to require all Law Enforcement to be trained in first aid, mental illnesses, and de-escalation techniques. They will also be required to administer first aid when needed and prove they attempted to de-escalate a situation. This absolutely will save lives.
That’s great! It didn’t have any results when I posted, but I am also here in Washington and was watching it.
Nevada also got automatic voter registration, 50% renewable energy by 2050 and repealed state taxes on menstrual products.
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