Weed, Guns & Minimum Wage: What Else Is The U.S. Voting On?
We've heard a lot about the presidential candidates in this election, but few people are talking about arguably the second most important vote many will be making on election day. State propositions, which voters can use to change state law directly. Certain important issues have cropped up in multiple states, and may even end up changing federal law. So we wanted to know, what are the most controversial 2016 ballot trends? One of the most attention-getting issues this year is recreational marijuana, the US's most popular illicit drug. Five states have ballot initiatives that could legalize the drug. If passed, California, Nevada, Arizona, Massachusetts and Maine will join the weed-legal Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and the District of Columbia. The major player in this scenario is California. The state has the sixth largest economy in the world with a GDP of nearly $2.5 trillion dollars and it commands 55 seats in Congress. Should marijuana be completely legalized, it would have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the country. Since marijuana is illegal on a federal level, states where weed is legal are in direct conflict with the federal government. But if more states turn to legalization, many expect lawmakers to reevaluate the way the drug is classified and prosecuted.
Marijuana legalization could also ultimately affect the US's neighbor to the south: Mexico. In the face of potential legalization in California, Mexico may follow through with its own plan to legalize the drug. Another topic seeing particularly increased attention over the past few years is gun control. 2016 ballots will have voters in California, Maine, Nevada and Washington decide whether or not to increase weapon regulations. Maine and Nevada will decide whether to expand background checks, while, Washington will decide whether to prohibit people with “violent tendencies” from possessing firearms via a temporary court order. But the strictest gun controls could be passed in California. Voters will decide on requiring background checks on ammunition purchases and impose a ban on high-capacity magazines. Since 1993, federal law has required background checks for all gun sales by licensed dealers, but the law does not apply to those who operate out of gun shows, online or via private sales. Gun safety advocates say they're tackling gun control from the bottom up in hopes that new state laws will pressure lawmakers in Washington to pass stricter regulations . One more widely talked about ballot initiative is minimum wage.
Although Congress has been unwilling to move ahead with raising the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour, Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington will decide for themselves. Arizona and Washington's measures would also establish guaranteed paid sick leave. All four measures are similar with increases ranging from $12 to $13.50 an hour by 2020. Meanwhile, South Dakota is voting to lower its minimum wage. Although the 114th Congress has done little to nothing during their term, this election may not only pressure them to act, but it may also change the political makeup of the legislature. With a potential flip from red to blue in Congress, the U.S. could see changes when it comes to marijuana, gun control and minimum wage. Then again, if the next four years are anything like the last, it is likely that Congress will remain deadlocked on contested issues - forcing states to continue to take matters into their own hands. Are you on Snapchat? So are we, and we're telling really cool stories that you won't hear anywhere else.
Do us a favor, open your SnapChat app, pause the video and scan our code. We want to know what you think! Thanks for watching! As a large exporter and importer of marijuana, although still illegal, Mexican is “paying close attention” its neighboring states' marijuana measures as the country is also considering its own legalization efforts and will likely see an increase of illegal smuggling of marijuana from the U.S.. And some U.S. politicians predict this side effect could spark debate on how marijuana is regulated across the border.
Marijuana legalization could also ultimately affect the US's neighbor to the south: Mexico. In the face of potential legalization in California, Mexico may follow through with its own plan to legalize the drug. Another topic seeing particularly increased attention over the past few years is gun control. 2016 ballots will have voters in California, Maine, Nevada and Washington decide whether or not to increase weapon regulations. Maine and Nevada will decide whether to expand background checks, while, Washington will decide whether to prohibit people with “violent tendencies” from possessing firearms via a temporary court order. But the strictest gun controls could be passed in California. Voters will decide on requiring background checks on ammunition purchases and impose a ban on high-capacity magazines. Since 1993, federal law has required background checks for all gun sales by licensed dealers, but the law does not apply to those who operate out of gun shows, online or via private sales. Gun safety advocates say they're tackling gun control from the bottom up in hopes that new state laws will pressure lawmakers in Washington to pass stricter regulations . One more widely talked about ballot initiative is minimum wage.
Although Congress has been unwilling to move ahead with raising the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour, Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington will decide for themselves. Arizona and Washington's measures would also establish guaranteed paid sick leave. All four measures are similar with increases ranging from $12 to $13.50 an hour by 2020. Meanwhile, South Dakota is voting to lower its minimum wage. Although the 114th Congress has done little to nothing during their term, this election may not only pressure them to act, but it may also change the political makeup of the legislature. With a potential flip from red to blue in Congress, the U.S. could see changes when it comes to marijuana, gun control and minimum wage. Then again, if the next four years are anything like the last, it is likely that Congress will remain deadlocked on contested issues - forcing states to continue to take matters into their own hands. Are you on Snapchat? So are we, and we're telling really cool stories that you won't hear anywhere else.
Do us a favor, open your SnapChat app, pause the video and scan our code. We want to know what you think! Thanks for watching! As a large exporter and importer of marijuana, although still illegal, Mexican is “paying close attention” its neighboring states' marijuana measures as the country is also considering its own legalization efforts and will likely see an increase of illegal smuggling of marijuana from the U.S.. And some U.S. politicians predict this side effect could spark debate on how marijuana is regulated across the border.
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