Criminal Justice on the Tuesday Ballot
While all eyes are on district attorney races in several states where reform-minded candidates are running on promises to end “mass incarceration,” further down the ballot voters will have a chance to decide on measures that will shape how millions of Americans interact with the criminal justice system.
A few themes emerge:
The Trump administration’s law-and-order messaging is trickling down to the states. In six states a controversial victims rights initiative, known as Marsy’s Law, is on the ballot. Proponents have built support for the measure by stoking fears in TV ads about rising crime and decades-old tragedies. In Oregon voters are grappling with eliminating a law that makes them the country’s only “sanctuary state.”
Out-of-state advocates have funneled millions donated to Ohio’s campaign to reduce drug penalties. A conservative organization funded by the Koch network to eliminate non-unanimous juries. California billionaire, Henry Nicholas III, for victims’ rights in several states.
