c. 1996 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) Here is a rundown of the voting on ballot initiatives with moral dimensions or in which churches and religious groups played an activist role:
PARENTS’ RIGHTS
Colorado: Defeated a measure that would have amended the state constitution with a provision declaring that parents have ultimate rights in matters of educating and disciplining their children.
GAMBLING
Arizona: Approved a measure to permit more Indian casinos.
Arkansas: Rejected a measure to legalize charitable bingo, authorize casinos in Hot Springs, Ark., and create a state lottery.
Colorado: Rejected gambling in the city of Trinidad, Colo.
Louisiana: Six parishes with riverboat gambling voted to keep it and 23 others voted to allow it; 30 parishes kept video poker games and 34 Rejected it.
Michigan: Rejected a ban on use of bingo for political fund raisers.
Nebraska: Rejected a constitutional amendment to allow off-track betting.
Ohio: Defeated a constitutional amendment to allow riverboat gambling.
Washington: Rejected a proposal to allow 500 slot machines at Indian casinos.
West Virginia: Voters in Jefferson County agreed to allow video gambling at the Charles Town racetrack.
TAXES
Colorado: Rejected a measure that would have imposed property taxes on churches and other nonprofit organizations.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
California: Approved a measure banning the use of affirmative action on the basis of race or sex in public hiring, contracting and education.
EXTREMISTS
Montana: In a vote widely perceived as directed at the militant right-wing militias in the state, voters approved a measure that allows lawsuits against people who engage in unlawful threats or intimidation that causes injury or harm and bans the filing of bogus property liens.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Alabama: Approved a measure amending the constitution to make hunting a protected right.
Alaska: Banned wolf-hunting from airplanes.
Colorado: Banned leghold traps.
Idaho: Rejected a ban on black-bear hunting in the spring using bait or dogs.
Massachusetts: Banned padded leghold traps and hunting bears or bobcats with bait or dogs.
Oregon: Defeated effort to repeal ban on hunting bears and cougars with bait or dogs.
Washington: Banned hunting bears, cougars and bobcats with bait or dogs.
KC END RNS