https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Administration


Voters take on hot-button issues

Voters take on hot-button issues

While not as action-packed as an even election year, there was still excitement as voters took to the polls this month to choose mayors and vote on issues including collective bargaining, alcohol and personhood.
  • Written by Jennifer Grzeskowiak
  • 23rd November 2011

While not as action-packed as an even election year, there was still excitement as voters took to the polls this month to choose mayors and vote on issues including collective bargaining, alcohol and personhood. 




Residents in nine states voted on 34 ballot measures; 35 percent were initiated by residents, while 65 percent were referred by legislatures. Of those measures, 27 took place on general election day, with the remainder spread out between October 22 and November 19.

In one of the most closely followed measures, Ohioans voted on Issue 2, which would have upheld the law Gov. John Kasich enacted earlier this year restricting collective bargaining rights for public sector employees. Voters rejected the measure with 61 percent of the vote. While that result was seen as a victory for Democrats, Ohio voters also approved a constitutional amendment that takes a shot at federal health insurance reform by not making it mandatory for residents to participate in a health care system. 





One of the biggest surprises, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, took place in Mississippi, where voters rejected Initiative 26, which would have defined personhood as beginning at fertilization, by 58 percent. Voters did, however, approve Initiative 27, requiring voter ID at the polls.





Voters in Washington approved a measure that abolishes state-owned liquor stores and allows private retailers to sell spirits. Earlier this year, the Georgia legislature gave municipalities the right to allow Sunday alcohol sales with voter approval. On November 8, 51 metro Atlanta jurisdictions took on the issue, which was approved in all but one city. 





At the local level, nearly 350 cities held mayoral elections, including 8 of the 25 largest U.S. cities. Incumbent mayors were victorious in Columbus, Ohio; Houston; Indianapolis; Baltimore; Philadelphia and San Francisco. Votes were close in Indianapolis and Houston, where mayors Greg Ballard and Annise Parker squeaked by with 51 percent. According to a Houston Chronicle article, in October Parker had the lowest approval rating in decades for a Houston mayor, with only 37 percent of respondents saying they would vote for her. In San Francisco, which uses ranked choice voting, incumbent Ed Lee eventually won with 61 percent of the vote. After securing 31 percent of the first vote, it took 10 additional rounds for a candidate to reach more than 50 percent. 





In Phoenix, Greg Stanton won with 56 percent of the vote. Tucson, Ariz., voters chose Jonathan Rothschild with 55 percent of the vote.

For the results of more mayoral elections, check out the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ list at http://www.usmayors.org/elections/displayelections.asp.

Tags: Administration

Related


  • Biden’s relief plan includes $350 billion for local and state government
    President-Elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion relief plan Thursday to combat the COVID-19 crisis and the economic downturn it has caused. In addition to $400 million to combat the pandemic specifically, the proposal includes $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments that would help them to bridge budget shortfalls, help public works maintain […]
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste
    The city of Philadelphia has long collected data on city properties’ waste generation and leveraged it to improve waste management, but now it’s honing in on the commercial sector too, realizing this will be crucial to hitting Philly’s zero waste targets. Today it runs a voluntary program where both municipal and commercial operations do detailed […]
  • How the City of Fullerton navigated adding candidates to ballots remotely
    This time last year, we were all looking forward to 2020: the start of a new decade and big elections (federally and locally) were just a few of the things we were excited about as we closed out the year. Little did we know, the beginning of the end of “normal” would happen two month […]
  • Report: Many governments facing revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19
    A new survey of local governments reveals that 68 percent of responding governments see moderate, significant or major financial adjustments as being needed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The State of Local Government Survey, released by cloud ERP software provider OpenGov in December, reveals the gaps that 501 local governments have found across their […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Colorado county’s value-based health care strategy produces savings
  • BhamStrong delivers long-term solutions in uncertain times
  • Promoting municipal employees’ volunteer efforts
  • Colorado county refuses to enforce state orders as COVID-19 level increases

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X