Californians will decide whether to adopt a Canadian-style health care system and crack down on illegal immigrants. Oregonians will say whether doctors can help the terminally ill kill themselves. Citizens in Washington State will determine whether only dentists can sell false teeth. From the vital to the obscure, voters are about to settle a record number of questions by direct vote. Issues on ballots next week:
TAXES. Legislators in Florida, Missouri, Montana and Oregon seek OKs for new taxes. Montana and Nevada initiatives would require two-thirds majorities for lawmakers to raise taxes.
GAMBLING. Eight states -- Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Wyoming -- are considering whether to expand legalized gambling.
CRIME. Ballots in six states -- Alaska, California, Idaho, Nebraska, Ohio and Utah -- would add the rights of victims to state constitutions. Georgia and Oregon voters will decide whether to impose mandatory sentences for violent offenders.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Proposals to limit the money that politicians can raise and spend on campaigns are on ballots in Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Oregon.
GAY RIGHTS. Idaho and Oregon voters will decide whether to bar using state funds to promote the idea that homosexuality is acceptable.
ABORTION. A Wyoming initiative would outlaw abortions unless the mother's life is endangered or in cases of rape or incest.
TERM LIMITS. With "throw the bums out" fever running high, voters in nine states will vote on limiting the number of terms of elected officials.
Some scholars worry that the flood of questions will confuse voters, strengthen vocal minorities and make governments less governable. "These measures can seriously undercut the legislative process," says Donald Linky of New Jersey's Public Affairs Research Institute, who just completed a nationwide study. "We're finding that many voters don't even answer the questions near the bottom of the ballot."
