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The factory farm corporations that spent $9 million to oppose Proposition 2 in California would have us all believe that urban city slickers just don't know what it's really like on the farm. They tried to romanticize agriculture and use farmers as spokespersons, even though these are the very corporations that have polluted rural communities and pushed family farms out of business.
The vote on Prop 2 demonstrates that urban and rural citizens alike saw through it all. With 79% of the precincts reporting so far, the map shows that we didn't just win wide margins in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, but we also won solid majorities in rural counties with a heavy agricultural presence like Kern, Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
The fact is, no matter where people live, they know that cruelty is just wrong. And the people who live in the closest proximity to industrial farm animal production know just what kind of impact these factory farms have not only on animal welfare but also on the environment, public health, and poverty.
Californians from every demographic and every corner of the state sent a simple message tonight: All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food. And that's a message that will be heard in the Midwest, the South, and all across the country.
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.
Voters approve Proposition 2 on farm animal treatment
Bee Capitol Bureau
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 04, 2008
California voters on Tuesday approved the Humane Society-sponsored measure, 68 percent to 32 percent with about 10 percent of precincts reporting, to outlaw caging practices that prevent farm animals from lying down, standing up, turning around or extending their limbs.
Because California is often a trendsetter on social issues, Proposition 2 drew nationwide attention. Some experts predicted a ripple effect in other states if it passed. Opponents argued the restrictions would increase illness risks and put farmers out of production.
With 21.5% of precincts reporting, the YES side is leading 62% to 38%. We are not ready to express any certainty about the outcome, but it is looking quite good for the farm animals at this point.
With only 9% of precincts reporting in California, Proposition 2 is winning by a wide margin of 63% to 37%. Let's hope the solid YES vote holds, and we may see a historic victory for millions of farm animals tonight.
New England Cable News just called the race on Question 3, and the greyhounds win! It's currently 56% to 44% in favor of the YES vote, with 22% of precincts reporting. Congratulations to all the Massachusetts volunteers and dedicated campaigners who fought to the finish line for the greyhounds! This is a tremendous victory for animals, and will save man's best friend from cruel confinement, broken legs, and other abuse.
One thing I don't normally do is make predictions. But I will say that it is looking pretty good so far for the greyhounds in Massachusetts. The vote on this issue in 2000 was a narrow 49% to 51% defeat, and the town-by-town results reported at this point show that every area is outperforming how it voted last time by 5% to 20%.
The YES side currently has a lead of about 65,000 votes out of nearly 390,000 cast. It's still early and nothing has come in yet from Boston, but I would be surprised if Question 3 doesn't pass tonight.
The first returns are coming in from Massachusetts, where voters are deciding on Question 3 to ban greyhound racing. With only a handful of precincts reporting, the YES side is winning 59% to 41%. This will be one to watch, and could come down to a photo finish.
I've been leafleting at the polls in Los Angeles this morning, and talking to Californians about Proposition 2. Voting here ends in about seven hours, and we will soon have an answer to the question that's been on my mind: Can animal advocates break the jinx of #2?
In 1996, Idaho voters rejected Proposition 2 which would have banned baiting, hounding, and spring hunting of black bears. In 2004, Maine citizens rejected Question 2 which would have prohibited baiting, hounding, and trapping of bears. And in 2006, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, which animal advocates opposed because it changed the state constitution to make ballot initiatives more difficult to pass in the future.
Will Californians pass Proposition 2 to prevent cruelty to farm animals, and will we break the #2 curse? We will have that answer tonight.
We are just six days away from what is shaping up to be one of the most historic elections in our lifetime. While voters are weighing the economy and other pressing national concerns, advocates of animal protection also need to know which lawmakers and candidates are standing up for their interests. When you fill out your mail ballot or go to the polls on Tuesday, the Humane Society Legislative Fund wants you to be armed with information on the candidates who are fighting for animal welfare in a very determined way.
In our comprehensive Humane Voter Guide, you can find a list of the HSLF-backed candidates in your state. After examining the animal protection records of lawmakers seeking reelection, and querying candidates running as challengers or in open seats, HSLF has made endorsements in more than 300 congressional contests. We are a nonpartisan organization and don’t make judgments based on party affiliation, but rather on a candidate’s actions and positions on animal protection policies.
In order to pass humane laws, we need to elect humane lawmakers. You can help advance the cause of animal protection by voting for candidates who are friends of animals—even if you have to cross party lines to do so. Only when the will of the millions of Americans who care about animals are mobilized can we hope to effect sweeping reforms for animals. As we approach Election Day, here are some of the races to watch that have implications for animals:
Top of the Ticket: The next president and vice president will have an enormous impact on animal protection, through the Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, and other executive agencies. HSLF has endorsed Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as both senators have strong records on advocating for the humane treatment of animals. John McCain has been a lukewarm supporter and only scored 25 percent on the most recent Humane Scorecard, while Sarah Palin has a frighteningly terrible record on killing wolves, bears, and other wildlife, and the thought of a Palin administration should strike fear in the heart of every animal advocate in the country.
Motor City Madness: The Oakland County suburbs of Michigan's 9th District are ground zero for animal protection in 2008. Sixteen-year incumbent Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.) has one of the worst records on animal cruelty in the entire Congress—he voted to allow the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, to continue the abuse of sick and crippled cattle to get them into the food supply, to facilitate the trophy hunting of threatened polar bears in the Arctic, and even to de-fund the enforcement of the federal law to combat dogfighting and cockfighting. The Democratic challenger, Gary Peters, was a leader in protecting animals from cruelty and abuse when he served in the Michigan Senate. HSLF is airing TV ads in the Detroit area and volunteers are canvassing door-to-door in the 9th District letting voters know about Rep. Knollenberg’s long and embarrassing record on animal cruelty.
Humane Heroes: Several congressional leaders on animal protection legislation are facing tough reelection campaigns, and HSLF is working to help keep these animal advocates in office. In the U.S. Senate, we’ve endorsed incumbent Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and others. In the U.S. House, some of our strongest leaders like Reps. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Dave Reichert (R-Wash.), and Chris Shays (R-Conn.) are in competitive races. We are also backing several animal-friendly challengers who are looking to unseat incumbent lawmakers, such as Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in the Senate, and Kay Barnes (D-Mo.), Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.), and Mark Schauer (D-Mich.) in the House. And there are great candidates running in open seats, such as Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) for Senate, and Frank Kratovil (D-Md.) and Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) for the House.
Don’t Forget the Ballot Measures: In several states, it’s not just candidate races that will have an impact for animal protection, but voters will also have the opportunity to weigh in directly on issues that affect animals. We urge Californians to vote YES on Prop 2 to stop cruelty to farm animals, and Massachusetts residents to vote YES on Question 3 to phase out dog racing. Arizonans should say NO on Prop 105 which would essentially eliminate the right to vote on animal issues in future elections, and Oklahomans should vote NO on State Question 742 which would have a similar impact on wildlife protection measures. Oregonians should vote NO on Measure 64 which would harm nonprofit organizations such as the Oregon Humane Society.
Some voters and newspaper editorial writers complain about ballot measures because they are complex and difficult to understand, but when it comes to the animal issues, it’s just plain common sense. Even a 4-year-old knows what’s right and wrong. As you get ready for election week, here’s your daily dose of cute overload—you can see why Mia is crazy about animals and urges you to vote YES on Prop 2!
About Mike
Michael Markarian is the president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that lobbies for animal welfare legislation and works to elect humane-minded candidates to public office. In almost 15 years in the animal protection movement, Markarian has worked for the passage of countless state laws and federal statutes to protect animals, in addition to helping defeat some of the strongest anti-animal welfare politicians in the United States. ...More
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Michael Markarian is the president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that lobbies for animal welfare legislation and works to elect humane-minded candidates to public office. In almost 15 years in the animal protection movement, Markarian has worked for the passage of countless state laws and federal statutes to protect animals, in addition to helping defeat some of the strongest anti-animal welfare politicians in the United States. 
