Wednesday, November 5, 2008

California's Proposition 2 and Massachusetts' Question 3 were not the only victories for animals tonight on statewide ballot measures. Arizonans soundly rejected Proposition 105, which would have made it nearly impossible to pass any future ballot initiative dealing with animal protection.

If Prop 105 had passed, any new ballot initiative would have needed a majority of all the registered voters in the state, whether they choose to show up at the polls or not, rather than a majority of the people who vote. No candidate has to meet that standard, and it's a nearly impossible standard to meet. Counting people who don't vote as automatic NO votes would have been a de facto ban on the ballot initiative process.

With nearly all the votes counted, Prop 105 went down in flames by a vote of 66% to 34%. Thanks to the people of Arizona for once again protecting their right to direct democracy, and rejecting this power grab by special interests and corporate lobbyists.