Progressives Win Big On Ballot Initiatives

***Election Night Press Release***

For Immediate Release For more information contact:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Kristina Wilfore
202-415-7681

Progressives Win Big on Ballot Initiatives

Voters weigh in with widespread rejection of right wing efforts

Washington D.C. -- Across the country voters went to the polls today and voted with progressives on ballot initiatives and referendums. Progressive backed initiatives were approved by voters in Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Progressives also beat back right-wing efforts in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, and South Dakota.

“Progressives won important victories and beat back right wing backed initiatives across the country,” said Kristina Wilfore, “If conservative thought they could find some comfort from ballot initiatives they won’t find any solace. Voters advanced progressive policies and rejected the right wing’s tired agenda.”

Conservatives took stinging defeats on a number of ballot measures. Initiatives that attacked a women’s right to choice were rejected by voters in Colorado, and South Dakota. Anti-government tax measures went down in Massachusetts, North Dakota and Oregon and efforts to weaken labor unions went down to defeat in Colorado, Oregon and North Dakota. In addition, voters in Ohio and Arizona defeated measures pushed by the predatory lending industry that sought roll back pay day loan reforms in both states.

Progressive policy solutions advanced at the ballot box included stem cell research and medical marijuana in Michigan, clean energy and home health care reform in Missouri, children’s health care in Montana, health care reform (long term care) and a “Death with Dignity” initiative in Washington, and paid sick leave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Health Care
Progressive Victories
• Stem Cell Research and medical marijuana: MI
• Home Care: MO
• Children’s Health Care: MT
• Death With Dignity: WA
• Long Term Care: WA
• Paid Sick leave: WI (Milwaukee)

Clean Energy
• Clean Energy: MO

Reproductive Freedom and a Woman's Right to Choose
Right-Wing Defeats
• Definition of Personhood: CO
• Abortion Ban: SD
Anti-Labor
• “Paycheck Deception”: CO, OR, SD
• “Open & Clean Government”: SD
• “Right to Work”: CO

Anti-Government Tax Measures
• Eliminate Income tax: MA
• Income tax cut: OR
• Corporate tax cut: ND

Note: On Wednesday complete results all ballot initiatives and referenda will be posted on the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, www.ballot.org.