In less than 24 hours, voters will head to their polling precincts and cast their ballots on candidates and issues across the country. There is much at stake for animal protection in tomorrow’s contests, including whether some of our leading animal advocates in Congress will return to Washington in 2011, and whether voters will decide to ban canned hunts and crack down on puppy mill abuses.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund today released a special preview of our 2010 Humane Scorecard, which charts our progress on animal protection policies during the 111th Congress. We’ll issue a final version at the end of the year, but we want to make sure voters have access to the preview in time for tomorrow’s election. Please take a look at how your members of Congress performed on animal welfare issues this year before you head to the polls.
I hope you’ll also check out our Voter Guide to see which candidates across the country have been endorsed by HSLF. We take a nonpartisan approach to our evaluations of candidates for elected office, and our list of endorsements reflects that approach. HSLF has backed more than 300 candidates for tomorrow’s races, and in some of the most competitive contests, we’ve reached out to voters with TV ads, mailings, door-to-door canvassing, and other field work.
In five states, voters will weigh in on ballot measures that affect animals. Here’s a rundown of tomorrow’s critical ballot measures:
ARIZONA: NO! on Prop 109
Prop 109 is a power grab by politicians and special interests who want to take away the right of Arizona voters and block future ballot initiatives on wildlife issues. It would also weaken the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, and replace scientific wildlife management with partisan politics. Send a Prop 109 eCard to friends and family in Arizona.
CALIFORNIA: YES! on Prop 21
Prop 21 would protect parks and wildlife by creating a stable and adequate source of funding to maintain state parks and beaches, and promote wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Share a Prop 21 eCard with California voters.
MISSOURI: YES! on Prop B
Prop B would stop puppy mill abuses by establishing common-sense standards for the care of dogs, such as adequate food, water, veterinary care, space, and exercise. Missouri is the nation’s largest puppy mill state, with approximately 3,000 mills, and is ground zero for the battle over dog protection this election. Please send a Prop B eCard to anyone you know in Missouri.
NORTH DAKOTA: YES! on Measure 2
Measure 2 will stop the trophy shooting of captive animals trapped behind fences—an inhumane and unsportsmanlike practice opposed by hunters and non-hunters alike. These “canned hunting” operations offer wealthy customers the opportunity to kill tame, captive animals for guaranteed trophies.
OKLAHOMA: YES! on State Question 750
SQ 750 would streamline the ballot initiative process in Oklahoma and allow a consistent standard for petitioning to qualify ballot initiatives, including on animal protection subjects.
Please help us spread the word over the next 24 hours, and don’t forget to get out and vote tomorrow!
