Meridian Magazine: Do You Want to Vote Your Values on Election Day?

Compiled by RoseMarie Briggs,
Executive Director-Family Leader Network

Editors’ Note: Read below to sign the petition and find voters’ guides.

Do Moral Values Matter on Election Day? You Bet They Do! In 2004 the mainstream media was stunned by the power of Values Voters in shaping the outcome of the election. On the night of the election and the morning after reporters, anchors and political pundits analyzed, re-analyzed and over-analyzed a factor they had arrogantly dismissed. That factor was moral values.

They scratched their heads and dropped their jaws as they asked each other in disbelief how could moral values be the driving force for getting voters to the polls? How could moral values be the top consideration for choosing a candidate? Why wouldn't it be healthcare, education, the economy, the war or which candidate spent the most on TV ads?

You'll remember that 13 states passed constitutional marriage amendments in 2004 with a stunning victory in Ohio. Ohio was the ultimate battleground state. Ohio had a marriage amendment on the ballot that the mainstream media predicted would fail.

The Ohio Values Voters turned out in force on election day and the marriage amendment passed by a striking 62 percent which was 14 points higher than expected. How did they do it? Ohio Value Voters brushed aside the gloom and doom that the media can't resist every two years in the weeks proceeding the election. They rallied like-minded and undecided voters. They volunteered their time for get out the vote efforts by passing out literature and making phone calls. They urged their friends, families and everyone within their reach to vote. And, of course, they got out to vote on election day.

The Value Voters of 2004 were democracy in action. They cared, they came and they WON! The spirit of America is unstoppable when common Americans unite their hearts and hands for causes they believe in.

As the Values Voters of 2006 we must care about the issues, come to the voting booth and win!

Going into this election, the media has been pushing an agenda, hoping to suppress the value voter turnout. They say that value voters are turned off and they won’t come out and vote. They say they are dampened and discouraged. Jonathan Alter of Newsweek went so far as to say, ““I hope this election is going to mark the demise of the values voters, that they don't determine the election the way were seen to have the last time around."

We’re here and we count—and we’re not going away.

Last week’s New Jersey Supreme Court decision forcing the legislature to create either same-sex marriage or something like unto it within 180 days is a wake-up call that value voters have to surge to the polls.

The famous Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian, David McCullough who wrote 1776 was recently asked what was the most critical time in our nation's history? Without hesitation he said the last five years. We live in critical times. As Americans we must make our voices heard on critical issues. We must wisely choose our elected officials. And we must remember that our voices are heard the loudest on Election Day.

Please join your friends at Meridian Magazine, the Family Leader Network and across the country by signing the I Will VOTE MY VALUES On November 7th Petition. Let's unite and build momentum going into this critical election! Let's remind the political leaders of both parties and the media that YES the VALUE VOTERS DO EXIST!

The mainstream media is predicting low voter turnout among social conservatives in this midterm election. Let's tell members of the media and leaders of the Democrat and Republican parties that the Value Voters Do Exist and will be out in force on Election Day.

I Vote Values Pledge

On election day, I will vote for candidates and issues that support marriage, family and religious freedom—knowing that each of these foundations of a healthy society are in jeopardy. In these tumultuous times, I will stand for the future and importance of traditional marriage. I will stand for the sanctity of life and a wholesome environment. I will stand for the free expression of religion and not watch idly while it is trampled and marginalized.

I know that my voice and vote matter in shaping the world our children will inherit and I accept that responsibility. I will cast an educated vote on election day. Because I know that the freedom of a nation hinges on its morality, I will support candidates who will take a stand for America’s traditional values.

I am a voter who cares about values—and I am not going away.

Click here to sign the petition.

Values Voters’ Issues

Quickly learn which Values Voters' Issues are on the ballot in a specific state by scanning here. They are divided by topic for your ease..

Values Voters Issues:

Marriage

Arizona Prop 107 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Colorado Amendment 43 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Referendum I establishes domestic partnerships that are the legal equivalent of man/woman marriage.

Idaho HJR 2 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

South Carolina Amendment 1 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

South Dakota Amendment C is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and bans any relationship that seeks to be the legal equivalent of marriage.

Tennessee Amendment 1 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Virginia Question 1 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and bans any relationship that seeks to be the legal equivalent of marriage.

Wisconsin Question 1 is a Constitutional Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and bans any relationship that seeks to be the legal equivalent of marriage.

Abortion

California Prop 85 requires a waiting period and parental notification for minors seeking an abortion.

Oregon Measure 43 requires a waiting period and parental notification for minors seeking an abortion.

South Dakota Law 6 repeals the state's ban on virtually all abortions. Although the language of the measure does not specifically make an exception for cases of rape and incest, those cases are inherently understood because it takes 14 days to determine pregnancy. In the cases of rape and incest, women may take emergency contraception following sexual intercourse. Click here to read more.

Gambling

Arkansas Amendment 1 allows charities to run bingo games and raffles.

Nebraska Measure 421 permits video keno machines.
Amendment 3 allocates $1 million for compulsive gamblers.

Ohio Issue 3 allows slot machines, dedicating the revenue for college scholarships.

Rhode Island Question 1 authorizes a privately run resort casino.

South Dakota Measure 7 repeals video lottery.

Smoking Restrictions

Arizona Prop 201 prohibits smoking in public places which is backed by health advocates.
Prop 206 prohibits smoking in public places except bars which is backed by industry.

Nevada Question 5 bans smoking in public places with children which is backed by health advocates.
Question 4 bans smoking in public places except bars and restaurants which is backed by industry.

Ohio Issue 5 bans smoking in public places which is backed by health advocates.
Issue 4 bans smoking in public spaces except restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and other locations. Backed by industry. It would supersede local anti- smoking ordinances. (**Whether this measure actually gets voted on is currently being decided by the courts.)

Drug Possession

Colorado Amendment 44 legalizes possession of one ounce of marijuana.

Nevada Question 7 legalizes possession of one ounce of marijuana.

South Dakota Measure 4 allows medical use of marijuana.

Tobacco Taxes and Settlement Funds

Arizona Prop 203 raises tobacco tax to fund early childhood development.

California Prop 86 provides a $2.60 per pack cigarette surtax with funds for hospitals.

Florida Amendment 4 requires the state to use tobacco settlement money for tobacco education.

Idaho SJR 107 restricts endowment from tobacco settlement funds.

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 raises tobacco taxes and creates a trust fund for smoking prevention. (This measure may not be on the ballot pending a court decision.)

South Dakota Measure 2 increases tobacco tax and devotes revenue to health services and education.

National and State Voter Guides:

Click on the link below for your state for Voter Guides. Meridian Magazine has collected Voter Guides from a variety of organizations for your benefit. These Voter Guides are posted as a courtesy and not an endorsement.

Congressional Scorecard
http://www.focusaction.org/pdfs/2006voterscorecard.pdf

Congressional Voting Records
http://capwiz.com/familyleadernetwork/home/

Click here for state-by-state Voter Guide from Family Research Council and Focus on the Family highlighting candidate’s positions on many family issues.

Alabama http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Alaska http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Arizona http://www.azpolicy.org/vgwelcome.php

Arkansas http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

California http://www.californiafamily.org//images/PDF/
CFCNovVoterGuideFinal.pdf
and http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Colorado http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Connecticut http://www.ctfamily.org/ProFamilyScorecard.pdf
and http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Delaware http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Florida http://www.flfamily.org/ffpcnew3.php?alertid=121 and http://www.flfamily.org/uploadfile/upload/Amendment
%20Voter%20Guide.pdf
and http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Georgia http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Hawaii http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/candidatesgeneral2006-HFFWEBSITE.pdf.pdf and http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Idaho http://www.idahovotersguide.org/
and http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm