Texas voters approved new rights for worship and visits to loved ones in nursing homes, despite pandemic restrictions that were put in place by officials to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
The Texas measure was one of many that were passed in states that created new constitutional rights Tuesday. Maine voters approved the first national right to individuals to grow and consume food they choose. New York voters supported clean water and air, but rejected the expansion of voting rights.
Some ballot measures that dealt with money were also defeated. New Jersey’s attempt to increase college sports betting was unsuccessful, while Colorado’s proposal to increase taxes on marijuana products was defeated.
One amendment in Texas will ban governments from issuing religious service restrictions orders. This is a retaliation against public health orders in large cities and counties, which restricted indoor gatherings during the pandemic.
A Texas amendment will allow residents of nursing homes and other group-living institutions to designate an essential caregiver, who can visit the facility even if they are closed to the public. Texas Governor. Greg Abbott had banned nursing homes from accepting visitors after COVID-19 cases rose in Texas last year. Although the goal was to save lives it also stopped seniors from connecting with their loved ones.
Both Texas measures protect similar laws that were enacted earlier in the year. The amendment to the nursing home law was passed with 87% support, while the amendment to religious services received 62%.
Republican state senator Kelly Hancock stated Wednesday that a message was sent. “The public is against any elected official imposing restrictions similar to those we saw during the last pandemic.”
New York voters rejected a proposal to relax pandemic voting laws. The then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed temporary legislation allowing anyone to vote absentee to avoid being exposed to the coronavirus. Voters rejected a measure to make that permanent, which would have repealed a constitutional provision that limited absentee voting to people who were physically disabled or ill on Election Day.
Voters rejected a constitutional requirement that voters must register at least 10 calendar days prior to an election. Another failed amendment would have altered New York’s process of redrawing electoral districts for the U.S. House, and state legislative chambers. This would have made it easier for Democratic-led Legislatures to adopt new maps.
Colorado voters were reluctant at first to oppose certain pandemic powers. While some votes were not yet counted on Wednesday, the voters seemed to have defeated a constitutional amendment that required legislative approval before the state could spend money it received from the federal government. After Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, a conservative group sponsored the initiative. Jared Polis used executive power to distribute almost $1.7 billion in federal COVID-19 assistance in May 2020.
A Colorado measure to increase the sales tax on marijuana in Colorado was also rejected by voters. This would have allowed for out-of-school programs like tutoring, technical skills training and enrichment programs. Another measure to lower property taxes was also in the pipeline.
According to Seth Masket (political scientist at the University of Denver), the mixed ideologies — opposing both higher and lower taxes — could be due partly to “somewhat obscure” ballot wording.
Masket stated that voters sometimes get confused because they don’t know what a measure does or it conflicts with other things on the ballot. Sometimes, the best thing to do is just to vote no.
New Jersey voters rejected a proposal to expand betting on sports to include college games. The state is a pioneer in the field of sports betting, but local collegiate games are not allowed.
Maine passed the right to food easily. The law states that individuals have the “unalienable” right to grow, raise and harvest food. Legislative sponsors stated they are fighting against corporatization, which threatens local ownership. Opponents were concerned that people might try to raise cattle in urban areas.
“It is always a good idea for individuals to be protected in this world. Supporter of the proposal, Democratic state Senator Craig Hickman said that food is life.
New York voters approved a constitutional amend that established a right “to clean air and water” as well as a “healthful environment.” This amendment was approved by Pennsylvania.
