Thread: sentence about politics

The Governor (Schwarzenegger) tried to convince voters across the state to back two measures on the March 2, 2004 ballot—Propositions 57 and 58.

I don't understand how any measures could be in the ballot. Isn't the ballot a sheet of paper with the list of candidates where you check the one you vote for?

What are these prepositions - his election pledges or bills?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

The Governor (Schwarzenegger) tried to convince voters across the state to back two measures on the March 2, 2004 ballot—Propositions 57 and 58.

I don't understand how any measures could be in the ballot. Isn't the ballot a sheet of paper with the list of candidates where you check the one you vote for?

What are these prepositions - his election pledges or bills?

Thanks.

First, let's start with the "prepositions." A preposition is a part of speech, a proposition is a proposed law.

But to get to the point, some cities and states have what are called "referendums" or "propositions," which allow for "direct democracy". California, in particular, has TONS of these things. For example, in 2050, the ballot in California may look something like this:
1. Vote for Governor (Select one):
-Bob Smith
-Hillary Duff
-That dog from "Beethoven"
2. Vote for Senator (Select one):
-Jimmy Jackson
-Al Gore's cryogenically-frozen-but-soon-to-be-reanimated body
-That dog from "Beethoven"
3. Do you support the following proposed admendment: "Gasoline-powered vehicles are hereby banned, except in the case of exceptionally good-looking celebrities and high-ranking government officials, most of whom are actually quite low-ranking."

OK, that was silly, but you get the point? It's just a way of letting individual voters vote on a single, specific issue -- as opposed to letting Congressman Boygroper or whoever do it for them. Obviously this is a very small percentage of the laws that are even enacted. Because hey, who has time to vote on such mundane stuff like tax rates, zoning, and building new jails with Playstation and Whoppers around, eh?

Actually, on a more serious note, I think they have something (occasionally) in Russia as well. They recently held (and passed) referendums on the merger of Perm and Komi-Permyak, for example. So, yes, they are proposed laws, not his election pledges (although they may be the same thing, in some cases -- maybe Ahnold proposed that gas-bill in his politicking and got it added to the ballot -- it's a complex process, and I'm not sure how it works in CA).

Спасибо, Бармалей! Теперь понятно.
I'm just interested does that mean that there were more than 58 prepositions in that ballot?
A huge list to read and to vote. Must be tiresome.

Actually, you posed the question at an opportune moment. I have the offical California voter information guide for Nov 7 2006! I can tell you that there aren't as many as 58 "prepositions" on a ballot. In fact there are none, because they are PROPOSITIONS

propositions - not prepositions! Barmbie pointed it out, I'll point it out again!

Secondly this years elections has propositions 83-90 in it (plus 1A-1E, but I think they are Measures). So they don't start from 1 and go all the way up to 90, but they finish off where the last election left them... That way it lets people keep their "No to proposition 54" badges without having to explain which proposition 54 they meant.

So to answer you question, no - it does not mean there are 58 propositions on the ballot.

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

propositions - not prepositions! Barmbie pointed it out, I'll point it out again!

Yep. It's like the difference betwen муха and мука -- very important!

Бармалей and KV,

On-target, as usual!



Both of you should be on the California ballot for offices.

Californians, Vote for Бармалей and KV!

Thanks again. I don't know why I wrote prEpositions (TWICE!). Probably that's because I was reading a book on english grammar today. Too much information on prepositions and articles.

Originally Posted by Dobry

Californians, Vote for Бармалей and KV!

I'd vote for them if I could.