Vote Smart - Facts For All

Meet Civic Sage

Ask real questions about politics—and get clear, factual answers.

Civic Sage pulls directly from Vote Smart's verified, nonpartisan research. No opinions. No spin. Just trusted context.

Built with boundaries, on purpose So you get facts you can trust.

You can ask about:

Your representatives & their biographies
Voting records, legislation, & ballots
Special interest groups & political influence
How government works

HAVE OUR BACKS

ELECTIONS BALLOT MEASURES ELECTION CONTACTS VOTER REGISTRATION

2008 Ballot Measures

State

Year

Issue Category

Executive Branch

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Hawaii	Constitutional Amendment: Amendment Age Qualification for Governor and Lieutenant Governor	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	New Mexico	Constitutional Amendment 3: Confirmation of Heads of Cabinet Level Departments and Agencies	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	New Mexico	Constitutional Amendment 5: Filling a Vacancy in the Lieutenant Governor's Office	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Utah	Constitutional Amendment A: Resolution Revising Executive Officer Succession Provisions	Passed

Family

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Arkansas	Proposed Initiative Act 1: An Act Providing that an Individual who is Cohabiting Outside of a Valid Marriage May Not Adopt or be a Foster Parent of a Child Less than Eighteen Years Old	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Florida	Constitutional Amendment 2: Florida Marriage Protection Amendment	Passed

Immigration

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Arizona	Proposition 202: Prohibiting Employers from Intentionally or Knowingly Employing an Unauthorized Alien	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Florida	Constitutional Amendment 1: Relating to Property Rights/Ineligible Aliens	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 58: Prohibits Teaching Public School Student In Language Other Than English for More Than Two Years	Failed

Indigenous Peoples

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Feb. 5, 2008	California	Proposition 97: Referendum Petition to Overturn Amendment to Indian Gaming Compact.	Passed

Judicial Branch

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Alabama	Statewide Amendment 2: Alabama Shelby County Judicial Commission Amendment 2	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	New Jersey	Public Question 2: Provides that Method of Selection and Appointment of Certain Municipal Court Judges Be Set by Statute Rather Than by the Constitution	Failed
May 20, 2008	Oregon	Measure 53: Amends Constitution: Modifies Provisions Governing Civil Forfeitures Related To Crimes; Permits Use Of Proceeds By Law Enforcement	Passed

Labor Unions

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Amendment 47: Colorado Right to Work Amendment	Failed

Legislative Branch

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Alabama	Statewide Amendment 5: Alabama Russell County Court Costs Amendment 5	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Arkansas	Amendment 2: An Amendment Providing that Appropriation Bills Are Valid for One Fiscal Year; to Require the General Assembly to Meet in Fiscal Session during Even-Numbered Years; and to Set Length of Sessions	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Arizona	Proposition 300: State Legislators' Salaries	Failed
Feb. 5, 2008	California	Proposition 93: Limits on Legislators' Terms in Office. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 11: Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Referendum L: Age Qualification for Serving in General Assembly	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Louisiana	Amendment 2: Convening of a Special Session of the Legislature	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Louisiana	Amendment 3: Temporary Succession of a Legislator Called to Active Duty in the Armed Services of the United States	Passed
June 10, 2008	North Dakota	Constitutional Measure 1: Appointment of Legislators to State Office	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Nevada	Question 4: Amends the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 to Authorizing the Legislature to Comply with Federal Law or Interstate Agreements	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oregon	Measure 55: Amends Constitution: Changes Operative Date Of Redistricting Plans; Allows Affected Legislators To Finish Term In Original District	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Dakota	Constitutional Amendment J: Eliminate term limits for legislators	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Dakota	Constitutional Amendment I: Provide for a maximum of forty legislative days each year.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Dakota	Constitutional Amendment G: Repeal certain reimbursement restrictions for travel by legislators to and from a legislative session.	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Utah	Constitutional Amendment D: Legislative Apportionment	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Utah	Constitutional Amendment C: Legislative Sessions (SJR 12)	Passed

Military Personnel

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Louisiana	Amendment 3: Temporary Succession of a Legislator Called to Active Duty in the Armed Services of the United States	Passed

Senior Citizens

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Missouri	Proposition B: Home Care	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	New Mexico	Bond Question 1: Senior Citizen Facility Bonds	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Washington	Initiative 1029: Initiative Measure No. 1029 concerns long-term care services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.	Passed

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Arkansas	Proposed Initiative Act 1: An Act Providing that an Individual who is Cohabiting Outside of a Valid Marriage May Not Adopt or be a Foster Parent of a Child Less than Eighteen Years Old	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Arizona	Proposition 102: Marriage	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Amendment 46: Discrimination and Preferential Treatment by the State	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	Florida	Constitutional Amendment 2: Florida Marriage Protection Amendment	Passed

Unemployed and Low-Income

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Montana	Initiative 155: Healthy Montana Kids Plan Act	Passed

Veterans

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	California	Proposition 12: Veterans' Bond Act of 2008	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	New York	Proposal 1: Additional Civil Service Credit for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	Oklahoma	State Question 735: Property Tax Exemption for Injured Veterans	Passed

Women

Election Date	State	Title	Outcome
Nov. 4, 2008	Colorado	Amendment 46: Discrimination and Preferential Treatment by the State	Failed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Carolina	Constitutional Amendment 1: Age of Consent	Passed
Nov. 4, 2008	South Dakota	Initiated Measure 11: Reinstate Prohibition Against Abortion	Failed