2020 US General Election Thread IV: The Battle Begins

[Shrillland]

Third Edition

You all know the drill by now.

This is about the primary election candidates and campaigns, expandable to the General Election (though I doubt this iteration will last that long). It is not about how socialism sucks, how the Democrats supported the Sandinistas, how Trump ... you get the idea. Candidates and campaigns, people, candidates and campaigns.

"Candidate" is a derivative of the Latin "candidus" (shining white). In Ancient Rome, people running for political office would usually wear togas chalked and bleached to be bright white at speeches, debates, conventions, and other public functions. Curiously, campaigning for office in Rome was considered somewhat déclassé, and candidates were described as being ambitious, from the Latin ambitiō (“ambition, a striving for favor, literally 'a going around', especially of candidates for office in Rome soliciting votes”), from ambiō (“I go around, solicit votes”).

[Nobel Hobos 2]

"Candidate" is a derivative of the Latin "candidus" (shining white). In Ancient Rome, people running for political office would usually wear togas chalked and bleached to be bright white at speeches, debates, conventions, and other public functions. Curiously, campaigning for office in Rome was considered somewhat déclassé, and candidates were described as being ambitious, from the Latin ambitiō (“ambition, a striving for favor, literally 'a going around', especially of candidates for office in Rome soliciting votes”), from ambiō (“I go around, solicit votes”).

You mean all those candied dates I've been eating, aren't actually helping get me elected?

[Rojava Free State]

Imagine if Trump appeared in a white toga with olive leaves around his head and said "happy 2020 election everybody! It's gonna be a great year!"

[Farnhamia]

"Candidate" is a derivative of the Latin "candidus" (shining white). In Ancient Rome, people running for political office would usually wear togas chalked and bleached to be bright white at speeches, debates, conventions, and other public functions. Curiously, campaigning for office in Rome was considered somewhat déclassé, and candidates were described as being ambitious, from the Latin ambitiō (“ambition, a striving for favor, literally 'a going around', especially of candidates for office in Rome soliciting votes”), from ambiō (“I go around, solicit votes”).

You mean all those candied dates I've been eating, aren't actually helping get me elected?

No, but they are tasty, aren't they?

[Kargintina the Third]

Trump 2020

[Giovenith]

Imagine if Trump appeared in a white toga with olive leaves around his head and said "happy 2020 election everybody! It's gonna be a great year!"

You know the sad thing is that I can definitely see him unironically doing that and people unironically appreciating it.

[Shrillland]

I'll get back to regular posting soon, just time to move the Plaza over...

Our first initiative, Amendment 1, will be voted on on Primary Day, March 3(Super Tuesday). It's a constitutional amendment to change the name of the State Board of Education to the State Commission on Primary and Secondary Education. It would also change its eight-member makeup from being completely elected to being completely appointed by the Governor.

On to November with our next amendments. The next amendment would lead to sweeping reforms in the state's judicial system starting with taking away the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court's job to appoint the Administrative Director of Courts(the executive in charge of the state's court system) and transferring that power to the Supreme Court as a whole. Second, it would take away the legislature's right to impeach judges and place disciplinary action in the hands of the Court of Judiciary(the state court that handle judicial complaints) and the Judicial Inquiry Commission. Third, it would give the JIC, by a 2/3 majority, the right to suspend judges, which can only currently occur when the JIC hands a case over to the Court of Judiciary. Fourth, it would increase the JIC from 9 to 11 members. Fifth, it would shrink the Court of the Judiciary from nine to eight members and how it's set up. Sixth, it would allow counties to make changes to their judiciaries by county constitutional amendments(which now only require the county itself to approve). And seventh, it would require the State Supreme Court to issue an opinion if the legislature wishes to change judicial district boundaries. A lot to take in, I know.

Our next amendment would authorise the state legislature to recompile the notoriously massive state constitution during the 2022 session by removing racist language, arranging the state section into proper articles and sections, consolidate economic development clauses, and arrange all country amendments by county in alphabetical order.

The next amendment would change language concerning who can vote from "every citizen" to "only a citizen." These amendments tend to pass easily.

Finally, an amendment would allow district or circuit judges appointed to fill vacancies to serve until the next election after at least two years following their appointment, as opposed to the current one year limit.

Back in 2012, Arkansas voters passed Issue 1, a temporary 0.5% sales tax with proceeds going to transportation funding. This is set to sunset in 2023 when transportation bonds that this tax was meant to pay off are...paid off. However, Arkansas voters will be voting in 2020 on an amendment that would make this sales tax permanent.

The next amendment would change term limits in Arkansas. Currently, there's a 16-year lifetime limit for legislators. The proposed amendment would change it to 12 years with a chance to run again after four years off.

Amendment number three would change how citizen-directed amendments would proceed in the future. It would require petitions to have at least half of the required signatures from 45 counties instead of the current 15, change the petition deadline from early July to January 15, eliminate the current 30-day grace period for additional signatures, limit the time frame for legal challenges to April 15 at the latest, and change the ratification for all amendments from a simple majority of voters to 60%.

Back in March 2019, HB 1251 became law. This law redefined optometry practices to allow optometrists to perform certain surgical procedures such as intraocular injections, removal of low-risk lesions on the eye, and certain laser procedures. This proposal is a veto referendum that would limit such practices to ophthalmologists again. A No vote would equal a veto.

Prop 13 will be on Super Tuesday, but it's just a bond issue vote.

Come November, the first proposition on the list would bring criminal justice reforms. These would including increasing the number of types of violent offences that restrict early parole to 51 different crimes, change certain types of theft from felonies to wobblers(i.e, it's the judge's discretion as to whether it's a felony or misdemeanour), create new crimes in the form of serial crime and organised retail crime, and require DNA samples for a variety of offences.

The next proposition would amend the constitution to require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed according to their fair market value as opposed to the current system that taxes them based on their purchase price plus 2% inflation each year. It would also require all revenue collected from these taxes to go to local government and schools.

After Prop 10's failure in 2018, its creators are trying again to reform Costa-Hawkins, California's rent control law. Instead of repealing it outright, they now plan to change the operative date on when a property can have rent controls imposed. Instead of only allowing it if it was occupied before February 1, 1995, this would allow it if it was occupied over 15 years from the present day, effectively allowing more rent controls as time progresses. There would be exemptions on people who own no more than two homes with distinct titles. It would also end vacancy decontrol practices by requiring landlords to limit rent increases to 15% for the first three years following a vacancy.

On to the final proposition so far, a veto referendum. Back in 2018, the legislature passed SB 10, which made California the first state to abolish bail altogether. It replaced bail with a risk assessment system that would determine whether a person could be released from pretrial detention. Low risks could be released, medium risks would be at a judge's discretion, and high risks would be remanded. This law ended up being savaged by the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, not to mention bail bondsmen across the state, because there were considered to be too many issues with possible racial disparity and arbitrary decisions. This proposition would decide whether or not SB 10 would be upheld, with a "No" vote meaning a repeal.

Our first proposal would amend the constitution to change language, just like Alabama, to say that "only a citizen" rather than "every citizen" can vote.

Proposal number two is a veto vote. At the start of 2019, Colorado's legislature passed SB 42, which brought Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. This, once the number of states that top 270 electoral votes is reached, would require Colorado to give their presidential electoral votes to whomever wins the national popular vote. Many people, mostly conservatives, brought up a petition to veto the law, so now it goes to the voters. A "No" vote would lead to SB 42 being repealed.

Proposal number three would require the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to set up a plan that would see Gray Wolves returned to Colorado, on public lands west of the continental divide, by 2023.

Amendment 1 would also change language to "only a citizen". Polls show this passing overwhelmingly, and Florida requires a 55% majority for amendments.

Amendment 2 would increase the state's minimum wage from the current $8.46 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026. This is also expected to pass.

Amendment 3 would create a jungle primary system(top two regardless of party) for Florida's state legislators and executives. Right now, polls are leaning against approval.

Amendment 4 would change the constitution to require all future amendments to be passed at two general elections rather than one in order to be ratified, a practice that's already done by some states. The most recent polls in October show it ahead but not with the 55% needed to ratify.

Illinois is voting to amend its constitution to allow for a graduated progressive income tax as opposed to the current requirements for a flat income tax. Polls show it passing with an average of 67%, and we require 60%+1 or an absolute majority of all voters. The tax rates were determined last year and will only go into effect once the amendment passes.

Iowa will be voting, as they must every decade, on whether or not to hold a Constitutional Convention. This isn't likely to pass.

Louisiana is voting to amend the constitution to say that "nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion."

In May 2019, Maine passed LD 798 into law, which eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions from vaccinations effective September 2021. This, however, was opposed by many, so now the issue will be going up to the voters on Super Tuesday. This will likely be a "Yes" vote to uphold the law.

This one would amend the constitution to change how state and local park money can be spent. Projects that would renovate recreational facilities would now be eligible for state grants and at least 25% of all grants would have to go to it, the State Parks Endowments Fund could now be spent on upkeep and maintenance for the parks, and the Natural Resources Trust Fund's cap would be increased from $500 to $800 million.

Initiative 65 would amend the constitution to legalise medical marijuana for people who have one of over 20 different conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, or Parkinson's among others. Patients would be able to have up to 2.5 grams worth on them.

Amendment 1 would amend the constitution to limit all executive offices to a term limit of two terms. Currently, only the Governor and State Treasurer are subject to them.

First, we have LR-130. This proposed law would strip local governments of their ability to regulate or restrict concealed weapons.

Next, we have C-46 and C-47. They both do the same thing; enshrining current signature distribution requirements for initiatives into the constitution, 5% in 34 legislative districts for statues or referenda, 10% in 40 districts for amendments. C-46 does it for constitutional amendments while C-47 does it for laws.

The first proposal is an amendment that would remove the state's exception clause, a provision that allows slavery or indentured servitude for prisoners, from the constitution.

Proposal number 2 is an amendment that would increase the repayment period for TIFs(tax increment financing areas) in areas considered extremely blighted from 15 to 20 years.

Back in 2018, Nevada voted for Question 6, an amendment that would raise the state's renewable energy requirements to 50% of all energy by 2030. Since this was an initiated amendment, it requires a second vote at the next general election, and this is that vote. I don't think the electorate is likely to change that much by November, so it'll pass again.

Next, we have another amendment that would repeal 2002's Question 2, which limits marriage to a man and a woman. A symbolic gesture that nonetheless is a good one for equality, so I think it will pass.

Number three is an amendment that would add the 2002 Declaration of Voter's Rights to the constitution. These rights are the right to vote on a ballot that is written in a clear format and accurately records the person's vote, the right to have questions about voting procedures answered and to have those procedures publicly visible at all polling places, the right to vote without intimidation, the right to vote during an early voting period or on election day if you're in line when the polls close, the right to return and replace spoiled ballots, the right to request assistance in voting if necessary, the right to a sample ballot, the right to instruction on how to use polling equipment, the right to equal access to the voting system, the right to uniform statewide standards for counting ballots, and the right to have complaints about election issues resolved fairly and efficiently.

Number four is an amendment that would remove the constitutional status of the Nevada State Board of Regents. This board oversees eight major universities in the state including UNLV, and removing its status would allow the legislature to have more control over higher education in the state. It passed the legislature with wide bipartisan support.

Number five is an amendment that would change how the State Board of Pardons Commissioners works. It would require the board, consisting of the Governor, Attorney General, and the seven State Supreme Court Justices, to meet at least four times a year(currently only required by law to meet twice a year), allow any board member to submit an issue for consideration, and make a majority decision sufficient for any measures(currently, it has to be a majority plus the governor).

This measure would amend the constitution to legalise recreational marijuana for everyone over age 21. It'll easily pass.

The next proposal would amend the constitution to expand New Jersey's $250 property tax deduction for veterans to include veterans who didn't serve during wartime. It would also expand the 100% property tax exemption for disabled veterans to include those who served during peacetime and still got their disability as a result of their service. This is likely to pass.

New Mexico will be voting on an amendment to change the makeup of the Public Regulation Commission. This commission oversees the regulation of New Mexico's public utilities from water to phones, and it's currently a five-member elected commission. This amendment would change it to a three-member commission appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. No more than two members may belong to the same political party, and they would serve up to two six-year terms.

The second proposal for New Mexico voters would amend the constitution to allow the legislature to pass laws that would change the dates of elections for non-statewide(read county) office holders and adjust their terms of office to match those dates. These terms could not be shortened or lengthened by more than two years.

ND's first proposal would amend the constitution to require that initiated constitutional amendments that the people approve be sent to the legislature. If the legislature approves it, then it's ratified, if it doesn't, then the people have to override the legislature at the next general election.

The second proposal would amend the constitution to increase the membership of the State Board of Higher Education to 15 members from the current 8, increase term lengths to six years from the current four, and forbid legislators, state officials, or other state employees from becoming members. It would also require the board to meet once a year and forbid anyone employed by one of the universities that the board oversees from joining the board until they've been out of that job for at least two years.

SQ 802 would amend the constitution to expand the state's Medicaid to ACA limits. As is usual with this question, it's likely to pass.

The first proposal here would amend the constitution to authorise state and local governments to place restrictions on campaign contributions, require disclosure of contributions and expenditures, and require advertisements to identify the people that fund them. It'll pass and then get struck down.

Proposal number two would increase Oregon's cigarette tax by $2 per pack to $3.33, increase the cigar tax cap to $1 from the current 50 cents, and impose a tax on e-cigs, vapes, etc at 65% of wholesale price. All revenue would go to the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon being the state it is, I'll say this will pass.

Initiated Measure 26 would legalise medical marijuana for those with chronic or debilitating conditions such as cancer or MS, and it would allow the state's Health Department to add other conditions or diseases.

Next, we have Amendment A. This would amend the constitution to allow for recreational marijuana and require the Legislature to pass medical marijuana and hemp legalisation laws by April 1, 2022.

First, there's an amendment that would specify the circumstances when a municipality can distribute water outside of its city limits or cooperate with other cities or counties to provide water, allowing cities to provide water outside their service area if they have enough to do so.

Amendment number two would make it so certain qualifications for running for office, such as age, would apply at the time of the election as opposed to the time that the office-seeker would be sworn in. This is already the case for executive branch members, and this would just extend that provision to all offices in the state.

Amendment number three, just like in Nebraska, would remove the state's exception clause. Likely to pass.

Amendment number four would make all language in the state constitution gender-neutral.

Because a Plaza wouldn't be complete without one, Wisconsin is voting on an amendment that would add Marsy's Law(a number of victim's rights provisions) to the constitution on their Primary Day, April 7. Like everywhere else that votes for one, this will pass.

Amendment A would remove the current constitutional limit on how much debt a city can accrue when working on sewer projects. Currently, they can only go into debt for improvement projects up to a maximum of 4% of the assessed value of all taxable properties, plus an additional 4% for sewer projects. This would remove the second limit and allow the legislature to make its own decision on the matter.

[San Lumen]

It doesn’t look like my state will have any referendums this year

[The Sherpa Empire]

It doesn’t look like my state will have any referendums this year

Boo hiss.

[San Lumen]

It doesn’t look like my state will have any referendums this year

Boo hiss.

New York isn’t a initiative and referendum state. We only vote on constitutional amendments and they must pass in two consecutive legislatures

[Rojava Free State]

Imagine if Trump appeared in a white toga with olive leaves around his head and said "happy 2020 election everybody! It's gonna be a great year!"

You know the sad thing is that I can definitely see him unironically doing that and people unironically appreciating it.

I made a joke that trump would try to claim he has done the greatest thing in history by becoming president. Literally today a trump campaign ad preceded the video I was watching and he said "we've launched the greatest, largest movement in American history, possibly in world history." This is just like when I joked about him leaking state secrets and he leaked that photo of a drone over Iran or when I joked about him saying his opponents were in hell and then he suggested that john dingell went to hell. The jokes keep coming true, and the scary thing is one of my most recent jokes was about a more unhinged, unchecked trump drone striking a CNN news van in Yemen after having someone give false info to a pilot that the van was a terrorist vehicle. I can imagine him making dark jokes at a rally the next night like "where do CNN reporters go when they die? In every direction," and "they say rest in peace but those journalists and camera men were in too many pieces for me to count!" God, he might just do everything

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

Puerto Rico’s governor might actually be voted out

[The Sherpa Empire]

Boo hiss.

New York isn’t a initiative and referendum state. We only vote on constitutional amendments and they must pass in two consecutive legislatures

Referenda are cool, though.

[San Lumen]

New York isn’t a initiative and referendum state. We only vote on constitutional amendments and they must pass in two consecutive legislatures

Referenda are cool, though.

I agree but some things shouldn’t be up for a public vote

[Shrillland]

Puerto Rico’s governor might actually be voted out

So I've noticed, but Vazquez's tenure was doomed from the start. I think it'll be Pierluisi vs. Yulin Cruz in November unless the PDP rejects her intent to shift them towards independence with free association.

[Aureumterra]

Trump 2020

His actions this year alone pretty much guaranteed the fall of Hezbollah, without Soleimani, they are basically directionless

[Post War America]

Trump 2020

His actions this year alone pretty much guaranteed the fall of Hezbollah, without Soleimani, they are basically directionless

Soleimani was replaced with one of his direct protegees, I doubt Hezbollah is going anywhere.

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

Puerto Rico’s governor might actually be voted out

So I've noticed, but Vazquez's tenure was doomed from the start. I think it'll be Pierluisi vs. Yulin Cruz in November unless the PDP rejects her intent to shift them towards independence with free association.

I’d actually like to see Puerto Rico become independent, of course independence is a slow process, but in the meantime, the can have a relation to the US similar to all those Pacific countries (Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau)

[Nobel Hobos 2]

I'll get back to regular posting soon, just time to move the Plaza over...

<snip>

Referenda on the Primary election day? That seems a bit dodgy, as four times as many people vote on Election day.

[The Sherpa Empire]

You know the sad thing is that I can definitely see him unironically doing that and people unironically appreciating it.

I made a joke that trump would try to claim he has done the greatest thing in history by becoming president. Literally today a trump campaign ad preceded the video I was watching and he said "we've launched the greatest, largest movement in American history, possibly in world history." This is just like when I joked about him leaking state secrets and he leaked that photo of a drone over Iran or when I joked about him saying his opponents were in hell and then he suggested that john dingell went to hell. The jokes keep coming true, and the scary thing is one of my most recent jokes was about a more unhinged, unchecked trump drone striking a CNN news van in Yemen after having someone give false info to a pilot that the van was a terrorist vehicle. I can imagine him making dark jokes at a rally the next night like "where do CNN reporters go when they die? In every direction," and "they say rest in peace but those journalists and camera men were in too many pieces for me to count!" God, he might just do everything

Can you make some jokes about Elizabeth Warren getting elected president?

[Repubblica Fascista Sociale Italiana]

His actions this year alone pretty much guaranteed the fall of Hezbollah, without Soleimani, they are basically directionless

Soleimani was replaced with one of his direct protegees, I doubt Hezbollah is going anywhere.

Soleimani’s leadership and unprecedented risk taking is near-irreplaceable

[The Sherpa Empire]

Referenda on the Primary election day? That seems a bit dodgy, as four times as many people vote on Election day.

We have them with the general election in Mass.

[Rojava Free State]

I'm legit considering emailing Trump's campaign team and pretending to be a huge fan so they'll pass along some of my speech ideas to the president. Ideas such as:

•All of human history has been leading up to a trump presidency
•There doesn't need to be another election because trump is perfect
•Trump is the Roman God Mars and is superior to Abraham God
•Threatening to set up gulags in america for his opponents
•The first person to criticize trump is the big dumb
•The trump baby blimp was the worst creation in history
•The 2016 election held more significance than the pearl harbor attacks
•Kanye West will be the new vice president
•Free Yeezus albums will be handed out at the election night party
•Trump will make his daily life in the white house a TV series called "celebrity a president."
•Ted Cruz's wife did Tiananmen Square
•Ted Cruz is the worst thing to come out of Canada since incels

It's a long shot but maybe it could work

It would be hilarious if it actually did

[Farnhamia]

Soleimani was replaced with one of his direct protegees, I doubt Hezbollah is going anywhere.

Soleimani’s leadership and unprecedented risk taking is near-irreplaceable

Soleimani wasn't the leader of Hezbollah. He was the commander of the Iranian Quds Force.

[Shrillland]

Referenda on the Primary election day? That seems a bit dodgy, as four times as many people vote on Election day.

It has to do with the timing of when they get on the ballot. It's even worse in a presidential year since a lot of states have two primary dates. Wisconsin's April primary is just for the presidency, everything else is in June, I believe.