My homestate Michigan has several ballot initiatives that are quite iffy.
Of five state-wide ballot initiatives, three are likely funded and promoted by outside interests, and typically appeal to the right-wing crowd. It's highly probable that these initiatives were designed not only to achieve a specific end outlined in the initiative, but to motivate an otherwise disillusioned, disappointed and demotivated segment of the right-wing base to get out to vote.
What ballot initiatives in your state fit this mold? I'm particularly interested in hearing about TN, SD, MD, MN, MO, since each of these states was targeted or hit with religious extremist push-polling that may supplement the ballot initiatives. Where ballot initiatives may not be enought to stimulate right-wing voters, religious extremists have ramped up their rhethoric and push-polling to leave no 'winger behind.
One of the Michigan ballot initiatives was paid for and driven by Ward Connerly (of California), to undermine affirmative action.
Another ballot initiative addresses the issue of eminent domain, and maybe driven by another out of state organization; this initiative may have been written and promoted by yet another out of state entity that also promoted similar ballot initiatives in 4 other states.
Yet another targets mourning dove hunting, which is not currently permitted in Michigan.
In each case, the ballot initiative motivates a select portion of the right-wing element. The first clearly targets racists; the second, libertarian-types; the third, those who lean towards gun-rights. None of these highly questionable ballot initiatives is directly related to religion.
But this state's governorship is contested by Dick DeVos, who with his family and company rank among the top 20 donors to the Bush/Cheney administration. DeVos is also a dominionist; his agenda is very much that which has driven the Bush administation towards theocracy. No ballot initiative with a religious slant required here; DeVos satisfies that component.
I suspect that each of the targeted states has a similar matrix balanced between ballot initiatives and candidates that will motivate the right-wing base and the religious extremists.
What's going on in your state? How is it being countered? Let's share notes; I'm betting a pattern emerges out of this pooled information, a pattern we can use in 2008 and possibly address yet in these remaining handful of days before the election.