Michigan, California Defeat Vouchers; Seven States Pick Democrat Governors
WALL STREET JOURNAL 7nov00

Voters in California and Michigan shut the book on ballot initiatives to establish state-funded vouchers for private schooling.

Defeat of the closely watched measure -- among more than 200 questions put to voters nationwide -- was a major blow for the Republican Party. Vouchers are a defining national issue for the GOP, and the Michigan initiative had been bankrolled by one of the Republican Party's biggest benefactors, Amway Corp.'s DeVos family. In California, the crucial financial support came from Silicon Valley financier Tim Draper.

But in a fierce clash of money and special interests, the National Education Association, the powerful teachers union, rallied against the initiatives and union activists Tuesday night cheered the results as important bellwethers of public sentiment.

"Elections are the polls that really matter," said Bob Chase, president of the 2.5 million member teachers union. "The resounding defeat of vouchers in Michigan and California should put an end to the myth that voters want vouchers."

Meanwhile, voters in seven states were projected to deliver governorships to Democrats as the two major political parties vied for control of 11 statehouses.

Republicans were projected to win in two states. Two remained too close to call.

In North Carolina, an important southern outpost for Democrats, Attorney General Mike Easley was projected to win over Republican Richard Vinroot, the former mayor of Charlotte.

In Indiana, Gov. Frank O'Bannon, a Democrat who suspended the state gasoline tax in the midst of the campaign, was the projected winner over Republican David McIntosh.

Delaware's Lt. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, a Democrat, is the first woman elected as that state's governor. New Hampshire's incumbent governor, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, was projected to win.

In West Virginia, Democrat Bob Wise was projected to knock off Gov. Cecil Underwood, the incumbent Republican. And in Washington state, Gov. Gary Locke, the incumbent Democrat, was projected to easily win re-election.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, the incumbent Democrat, was projected to eke out a victory in a three-way race. Mr. Dean was projected to poll just above 50%, thus avoiding having the state legislature decide the contest. Mr. Dean faced a public backlash over his support for a "civil union" law granting gays and lesbians the same rights as married couples.

The gubernatorial contests have taken place against the backdrop of a national debate over the role of government, and a long-term shift of power out of Washington into the states. Next year, the nation's governors will come under even greater scrutiny as states begin the once-a-decade process of redrawing the boundaries of U.S. House districts.

In Montana, Republican Lt. Gov. Judy Martz beat State Auditor Mark O'Keefe and became the first woman elected governor of that state.

In North Dakota, where the race was notable because of one candidate's public struggle with breast cancer, Republicans were projected to retain control of the governorship. Democrat Heidi Heitkamp, the state attorney general, kept campaigning even after being diagnosed and treated in September for cancer. She surged in the polls but eventually faded, and was projected to lose to John Hoeven, a banker. In Utah, Gov. Michael Leavitt, a Republican, was the projected winner over Democrat Bill Orton, a former congressman.

Even so, Democrats stand a chance of narrowing the gap in control of governorships. Heading into Election Day, Republicans controlled 30 governorships, while Democrats held 18. In two states, the governors are independent.

In Missouri, Democrat Bob Holden was elected governor of Missouri. Mr. Holden, the current state treasurer, defeated GOP Congressman Jim Talent to replace the deceased Gov. Mel Carnahan. Gov. Carnahan died in a plane crash last month, but still outdid GOP Sen. John Ashcroft to win Missouri's Senate race.

Across the country, voters considered myriad ballot questions, from measures in Nevada and Nebraska that would ban gay marriages -- which were approved -- to an Alabama proposal, which also was approved, that would lift the state's constitutional ban on interracial marriage.

Voters in Colorado, meantime, approved a measure that would expand controls on sales at gun shows, a major flashpoint on Capitol Hill. Oregon voters were projected to approve a similar measure. Both states have witnessed high-profile shootings at schools. The most important tax debates are taking place in South Dakota and Montana, where voters are being asked to consider repealing local estate and inheritance taxes.

State and federal laws against marijuana didn't stop a number of states from voting to permit its use under certain circumstances. But Alaska turned down the chance to make the drug completely legal.

In Mendocino County, Calif., 115 miles north of San Francisco, voters approved a measure that would allow residents to grow up to 25 pot plants apiece. The measure faced no organized opposition. The county would still prohibit the sale or transportation of the drug, but busting small-time growers and smokers would, officially, remain a low priority for the sheriff.

Voters in Nevada and Colorado approved measures permitting doctors to prescribe marijuana for the seriously ill. In the last four years, similar medical-marijuana measures have become law in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Maine and Hawaii.

Alaska voters rejected legalizing the drug under a ballot initiative that would have made Alaska's marijuana laws the most liberal in the country. The measure would have done away with civil and criminal penalties for people 18 or over who use marijuana or hemp products. People previously convicted of marijuana crimes would have been granted amnesty.

Gambling measures on state ballots got a mixed reception from voters.

South Carolinians approved a state lottery to raise an estimated $150 million a year for education. But Arkansas voters rejected a measure to set up a state lottery and allow casinos and charity bingo.

Also on the education front, Arizona voted to end bilingual education, but approved a measure that would raise the state sales tax to 5.6% from 5% to send more money to schools, including performance pay raises for teachers.

Meanwhile, Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected a measure that would have tied teachers' salaries to their students' academic performance.