National ballot questions
State-by-state results
Here are the unofficial results of Nov. 4, 2008 voting on selected ballot questions in states nationwide.
Arizona
Majority vote on spending
Summary: Requires that a majority of all registered voters approve any initiative with spending or tax increases.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
 No | 1,288,897 | 66% |
| Yes | 655,849 | 34% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Define marriage
Summary: Bans same sex marriage.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,157,979 | 56% |
| No | 900,185 | 44% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Hiring of illegal aliens
Summary: Requires revocation of business licenses of any employer who knowingly hires illegal aliens.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,177,612 | 59% |
| Yes | 806,790 | 41% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Arkansas
Create state lottery
Summary: Creates a state lottery to fund college scholarships and grants.
Polls close (EST): 8:30 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8:30 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 640,557 | 63% |
| No | 379,823 | 37% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Tighten rules on adoptions
Summary: Bans unmarried cohabitating couples from adopting or being foster parents.
Polls close (EST): 8:30 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8:30 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 579,695 | 57% |
| No | 437,720 | 43% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
California
Farm animal rights law
Summary: Establishes the nation’s first comprehensive farm animal rights law.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 7,582,476 | 63% |
| No | 4,390,291 | 37% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Sentencing guidelines
Summary: Expands treatment programs for non-violent drug offenders.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 7,032,282 | 60% |
| Yes | 4,738,879 | 40% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Renewable energy
Summary: Requires increasing shares of state power generation to come from renewable sources of energy.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 7,602,106 | 65% |
| Yes | 4,114,124 | 35% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Redistricting commission
Summary: Creates commission to draw state legislative districts and create rules for congressional redistricting by Legislature.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 5,639,120 | 51% |
| No | 5,470,209 | 49% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Gay marriage ban
Summary: Bans same sex marriage.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 6,455,839 | 52% |
| No | 5,938,488 | 48% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Parental notification
Summary: Requires parental notification before a minor can get an abortion.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 6,251,638 | 52% |
| Yes | 5,726,718 | 48% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Colorado
Conditions of employment
Summary: Prohibits mandatory union membership and mandatory union dues.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,206,079 | 56% |
| Yes | 963,547 | 44% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Government discrimination
Summary: Bans discrimination and preferential treatment by the state.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,080,238 | 51% |
| Yes | 1,046,970 | 49% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Definition of a person
Summary: Defines human life as beginning at fertilization.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,605,978 | 73% |
| Yes | 585,561 | 27% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Florida
Define marriage
Summary: Bans same sex marriage.
Polls close (EST): 7 or 8 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 7 or 8 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 4,755,789 | 62% |
| No | 2,913,740 | 38% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Maine
Veto certain taxes
Summary: Rejects sales taxes and medical claim fees to fund state health program.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 459,435 | 64% |
| No | 254,645 | 36% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Maryland
Allow early voting
Summary: Amends constitution to allow legislature to enact law permitting early voting in all elections.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,742,294 | 72% |
| No | 669,019 | 28% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Video lottery
Summary: Allows video gaming to provide funds for public education.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,473,080 | 59% |
| No | 1,036,725 | 41% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Massachusetts
Dog racing ban
Summary: Bans dog racing.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,647,792 | 56% |
| No | 1,285,405 | 44% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Decriminalize marijuana
Summary: Decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,942,246 | 65% |
| No | 1,038,101 | 35% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Eliminate income tax
Summary: Cuts, then eliminates, state personal income tax.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 2,066,907 | 70% |
| Yes | 903,259 | 30% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Michigan
Allow medical marijuana
Summary: Permits use of marijuana for specified medical conditions.
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 3,005,678 | 63% |
| No | 1,792,497 | 37% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Stem cell research
Summary: Permits limited use of stem cells for research purposes.
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 2,520,240 | 53% |
| No | 2,271,071 | 47% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Missouri
English as official language
Summary: Declares English the official language for all state government activities.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 2,407,464 | 86% |
| No | 381,849 | 14% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Renewable energy
Summary: Requires increasing shares of state power generation to come from renewable sources of energy.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 8 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,777,559 | 66% |
| No | 914,331 | 34% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Montana
Health insurance for children
Summary: Provides government funded health insurance coverage for as many as 30,000 uninsured children.
Polls close (EST): 10 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 10 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 326,565 | 70% |
| No | 141,470 | 30% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Nebraska
Ban affirmative action
Summary: Bans discrimination and preferential treatment by the state.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 9 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 392,324 | 58% |
| No | 289,484 | 42% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
North Dakota
Income tax cut
Summary: Reduces or eliminates income tax.
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 210,253 | 70% |
| Yes | 91,182 | 30% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Oregon
Limit bilingual education
Summary: Limits the teaching of students in a language other than English to no more than two years.
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 921,635 | 56% |
| Yes | 715,933 | 44% |
| 96% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Link teacher pay and performance
Summary: Requires that teacher pay and job security be linked directly to classroom performance.
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,010,802 | 61% |
| Yes | 635,670 | 39% |
| 96% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Adopt open primaries
Summary: Creates open primary elections to replace closed party primaries.
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 10 or 11 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 1,011,585 | 66% |
| Yes | 522,384 | 34% |
| 95% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
South Dakota
Eliminate term limits
Summary: Repeals constitutional limits on state legislative terms.
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 272,581 | 76% |
| Yes | 87,367 | 24% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Abortion ban
Summary: Bans abortions in certain cases.
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
Polls close (EST): 8 or 9 p.m., depending on location
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| No | 206,488 | 55% |
| Yes | 167,536 | 45% |
| 100% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |
Washington
Medical choice
Summary: Allows some terminally ill adults to obtain lethal prescriptions.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
Polls close (EST): 11 p.m.
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Yes | 1,528,694 | 58% |
| No | 1,108,134 | 42% |
| 91% of precincts reporting | Updated: 11:55 AM |