Voters on Election Day will be deciding on a number of ballot propositions that, if passed, could have as profound an effect on their lives as who becomes their next senator, representative or governor. Much of the focus in recent weeks has been on some of the 146 measures on ballots throughout the country dealing with the minimum wage, marijuana legalization and a few other topics.
There are at least seven measures on ballots in five states, however, that focus on military personnel, veterans and their spouses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Louisiana
Louisiana voters will be considering Amendment 7. The constitutional amendment's purpose is to clarify who among disabled veterans and their spouses can receive property tax exemptions, the author of the proposed amendment, state Sen. Robert Adley told the Courier newspaper. A "yes" vote would "allow parishes to provide a bonus homestead exemption to veterans with "100% unemployability," according to The Advertiser newspaper.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, voters will have three ballot measures to consider.
The first is a proposed constitutional amendment — State Question 769 — that would allow certain county and state government officials — both elected and appointed — to also serve in the National Guard, reserves and other military positions, according to NCSL.
There are also two referenda to consider, questions 770 and 771. Question 770 would amend the constitution to provide a homestead exemption to property owned by some veterans or their surviving spouses, and allow them to carry over the exemption on new property, if they sell the original property within a year. The other referendum would give surviving spouses of military personnel who die in the line of duty a homestead exemption on their property taxes, at least until the surviving spouse remarries, according to the Initiative & Referendum Institute.
Oregon
In a ballot measure similar to Oklahoma's Question 769, Oregon voters will be considering Measure 87. This measure would remove the prohibition by a state Supreme Court ruling that barred state judges from serving in the National Guard and from teaching at state universities due to the state government's separation of powers, according to the Oregonian. Both the National Guard and state universities are a part of the executive branch. If passed, this measure would remove those prohibitions.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, meanwhile, voters will be considering whether to end their direct say on who will be the state's top military officer. Currently elected by voters, Amendment 2 would change the state's adjutant general from an elected position into a position appointed by the governor "upon the advance and consent of the [state] Senate." State officials from both Republican and Democratic parties have backed the proposal.
Virginia
Voters in Virginia will be considering a question similar to those in Oklahoma. The Virginia constitutional amendment would exempt the surviving spouse of military personnel killed in action from having to pay property taxes. If passed, the amendment would only apply to a spouse's property that is his or her principal place of residence, and only if he or she hasn't remarried.
On election night, visit militarytimes.com/election2014 for live updates of the congressional races that will affect the defense community:
■ The House and Senate Armed Services committees.
■ The House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees.
■ The Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans running Congress.
■ Key defense appropriators from both chambers.
And visit the site Wednesday morning for analysis of the results from the midterms and what they will mean for military watchers in the months to come.
