The Fog of Elections

I was on the phone with the great D-Rock yesterday evening. He is now working for a political campaign. He spoke a bit about the tasks he has to do… if you’ve ever heard people talk about American elections, you’ve probably heard about the phonecalls, donations, speeches, going door-to-door, etc. (do they still do that last one?)

Nevermind what I think of the whole system. Lets put that aside.

I decided to go look at what’s on the local New Jersey ballot that I’m no longer elligible to use.

Now besides the normal dry, corrupt, and uninspiring selection of candidates, you also get what are called “Public Questions”. I guess it is something like a referendum only with a different name. Here’s how they read:

  • Dedicates Annual Revenue of an Amount Equal to a Tax Rate of 0.5% under the State Sales Tax for Property Tax Reform
  • Constitutional Amendment to Expand Uses of Dedicated Tax Revenues to Fund Improvements and Facilities on Preserved Open Space Lands
  • Constitutional Amendment Changes the Dedication of Motor Fuels Tax to State Transportation System
  • Generally boring, I know. But I find number 3 to be fun; maybe they’ll further re-introduce all the train systems and light rail systems they spent the better part of the last 60 years dismantling.

    Time to go find the more interesting ballot questions around the country.