Jonathan Adams

Racewire Election Roundup

While Obama’s sweeping victory dominated the morning-after headlines, voters across the country also made important choices November 4 on state ballot initiatives covering a range of issues, from criminal justice to gay marriage, and reproductive rights to affirmative action. When it comes to assessing the wins and losses for communities of color, it’s a mixed bag. In South Dakota, Colorado and California, voters decided soundly to protect women’s reproductive rights, while Arkansas, Florida, and California all supported varying kinds of discriminatory policies targeted at the LGBT community. Nebraska voters eliminated affirmative action programs, even though Californians voted down an initiative that would peg harsher punishments on so-called “gang-related” and drug crimes.

We’re looking at a hard fight ahead to continue to protect our communities. Here’s our roundup of the election coverage.

State Wins and Losses: Ballot Initiatives Roundup
A glance at other measures on the ballot this election that impacted communities of color.

Election Snapshots from Ohio
Seth Wessler captures the lives of people in Lancaster, Ohio, a city of about 35,000 in south eastern Ohio on election day.

My Big Gay Blog Post
Adrienne Maree Brown blogs on how it feels to be a queer woman of color in California after the passing of Prop 8.

Prop 8:The Vote for Discrimination in California
Tracy Kronzak writes that the passing of Prop 8 is not a time for finger pointing, but for a new dialogue between the racial justice movement and gay marriage coalitions.

Voter Suppression in 2008 Presidential Election
Jorge Rivas reminds us of all the voter suppression during the election despite reports of long lines

Posted at 7:42 AM, Nov 07, 2008 in Elections | Permalink | View Comments