While the outcome of the presidential race remained in question after the election, voters across the state cast deciding ballots on several moral issues in Alabama.
In Jefferson County, voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment outlawing prostitution in unincorporated areas of the county. More than 80 percent of those voting approved the measure, which was only on ballots in Jefferson County.
The change corrects a loophole in state law concerning prostitution. Most cities have ordinances prohibiting prostitution, but outlying areas do not have any provisions dealing with the practice.
“This will make the act of prostitution illegal in unincorporated areas of the county,” said State Rep. Arthur Payne (R-Center Point), a member of First Baptist Church, Trussville.
Farther north in Alabama, voters in Albertville just said “no” to efforts that would have legalized alcohol sales.
Supporters of a measure to allow the sale of alcohol said Albertville residents now purchase alcohol in nearby Guntersville, resulting in the loss of tax revenue and a stagnant economy.
In a contest placing church leaders against proponents of alcohol, 2,956 votes were cast to keep the city dry, to defeat the 2,083 voters who wanted to see the city initiate the sale of alcoholic beverages.
The 5,000 voters casting ballots in the community of 9,000 registered voters eclipsed the mayor’s race in August when only a total of 3,200 ballots were cast.
Taking to the polls in Limestone County, voters approved bingo after voting against a statewide lottery last year.
By a vote of 10,757–8,184, voters paved the way for bingo games operated by religious, educational, service, senior citizen, fraternal and veterans groups that are tax- exempt.
Voters throughout the state cast ballots on two changes to the 1901 Alabama Constitution:
- Removing a restriction on interracial marriages in Alabama, more than 59 percent of voters cast yes ballots on Amendment 2.
- More than 57 percent of voters approved a change allowing bingo games by nonprofit organizations in White Hall.
Alabama was not the only state voting on moral issues:
- South Carolinians voted for a state lottery to fund education.
- Voters in Arkansas defeated a measure that would have allowed a lottery, as well as casinos and charity bingo.
- Maine voters rejected a measure that would have allowed 1,500 video gambling machines at the Scarborough Downs racetrack.
- A local ballot initiative in Greenbrier County in West Virginia to allow casino-type gambling at the historic Greenbrier Resort was defeated.
- South Dakotans voted against abolishing video lottery, along with raising betting limits at casinos in the tourist town of Deadwood and at nine Indian reservation casinos.
- In Colorado, voters approved multistate lottery games.
- A ballot initiative in Massachusetts banning greyhound racing was narrowly defeated.
- Nebraskans voted by a nearly 2 to 1 ratio in favor of a measure declaring same-sex marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships invalid.
- In Nevada, voters approved a similar measure against same-sex marriages.
- Voters in Maine defeated a referendum banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
- Oregon voters refused to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality in the state’s public schools.
- Alaskans rejected legalization of marijuana.
- Colorado and Nevada approved medicinal use of marijuana.
- Missouri voters defeated a measure to ease restrictions on who can run bingo games.
- School voucher proposals were defeated in Michigan and California.
- Colorado and Nevada approved the medical use of marijuana, while Alaska rejected a referendum to decriminalize marijuana.
- Californians approved a referendum providing treatment and probation instead of prison for first- or second-time non-violent drug offenses, and Mendocino County, Calif., voted to allow adults to grow 25 pot plants apiece.
- Colorado rejected a law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions.
- Maine voters rejected 51 percent-49 percent a referendum to join Oregon as the second state to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults.
- Voters in Oregon and Colorado voted in favor of background checks for gun shows.
(BP contributed)
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