Let’s do a recap of states with ballot measures that would change their constitutions to ban slavery and prison labor, according to an ABC News report.
- Alabama: With 72 percent of expected votes in, Alabama voted for the removal of several Jim Crow-era sections of their state constitution, including one that allowed for slavery as criminal punishment, one that barred interracial marriage and one that separated schools for white and Black students. Some 77 percent of voters voted “yes,” but it is still notable that 23 percent, or close to 270,000 voters, were against this measure in a former pro-slavery state.
- Louisiana: With 95 percent expected votes in, Louisiana voted against a constitutional amendment to remove language allowing slavery as punishment, with 60.9 percent voting no. That’s close to 800,000 voters against the measure. But according to reporting from ABC News, it seems like there was a lot of confusion in how the ballot measure was worded. State Rep. Edmond Jordan said he asked people to vote against it in hopes of bringing it back next year and making sure the language is clear and unambiguous.
- Oregon: With 64 percent expected votes in, Oregon voted for the removal of constitutional language allowing slavery as punishment. It will also add language that authorizes officials to order alternatives to incarceration for a convicted individual as part of their sentencing. Just over 54 percent voted “yes,” with over 45 percent — or close to 640,000 Oregonians — voting “no.”
- Tennessee: With 68 percent expected votes in, the overwhelming majority of voters — 80 percent — voted for a measure to remove constitutional language allowing slavery as punishment. But it’s still notable that 20 percent — over 332,000 voters — voting against.
- Vermont: Vermont’s proposal had the biggest support margin — with 89 percent of voters agreeing to prohibit slavery in the state constitution.