Voters in 6 states consider voting-related ballot measures News
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Voters in 6 states consider voting-related ballot measures

Voters in six US states weighed in on voting-related ballot measures Tuesday, including the right of parolees to vote, decisions on ranked-choice voting and citizenship-related voting questions.

In Massachusets, the voters rejected a proposal for ranked-choice voting. The Associated Press called the race with 54.7 percent voting against the measure, which, if approved, would have allowed voters to rank their top choices in elections. If a candidate received 50 percent of all first preference votes the race would be over.

In Florida, voters approved Amendment One which amends Article VI, Section 2 of the Florida constitution to state: “Only a citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age and who is a permanent resident of the state, if registered as provided by law, shall be an elector of the county where registered.” It changes the prior wording, which said “Every citizen of the United States.” The measure needed a 60 percent supermajority to pass and was approved by 79 percent of voters.

In Colorado, voters approved Amendment 76, which is very similar to Florida’s Amendment One. It amends the Colorado Constitution Article VII Section One to say that “Only a citizen of the United States…” rather than “Every citizen of the United States…” may vote. The measure was approved by 68 percent of voters.

California had two voting-related measures: Proposition 17 and Proposition 18. Proposition 17 restored voting rights for some parolees in the state of California. Proposition 17 was approved with 59% voting yes. Proposition 18 would have allowed teenagers who were 17 at the time of the primary elections but 18 at the time of the general elections to vote in the primaries. It was rejected with only 44 percent voting yes.

In Alaska, voters voted against Measure 2, which sought to make three voting changes. First, it would have required persons and entities who donated $2,000 or more to disclose the “true sources” of their money. Second, it would have created top-four open primaries for state executive positions and the state legislature. Finally, it would have introduced ranked-choice voting for general elections including the presidential election. The measure was defeated with 56.47 percent voting against it.

Finally, Alabama approved Amendment One, which is nearly identical to Florida’s Amendment One and Colorado’s Amendment 76. It amends Article VII of the Alabama Constitution to require that “Only a citizen of the United States…” rather than “Every citizen of the United States…” may vote in the election. The amendment was passed with 77 percent of voters voting in favor.