No significant trends for county issues this election
 The Election Day message of change was loud and clear at the national level. Less clear were any significant trends that local governments could follow, as social issues dominated the Nov. 4 election. The final tally consisted of 153 ballot propositions in 36 states, including a few issues affecting counties.
Public employees
Four initiatives concerning public employees were on the ballot in Colorado, Oregon and South Dakota. South Dakota’s Open and Clean Government Act, or Initiated Measure 10 as it appeared on the ballot, failed by a vote of 35 percent–65 percent. It said no state government employee or political candidate may use tax revenues or any other public monies for payment of dues or membership fees to any association that engages in lobbying, campaigns or partisan activity.
Land use
Initiatives pertaining to land use were on ballots in Nevada and Ohio. Nevada’s eminent domain measure was approved two years ago, but was back again because state law requires it to be approved in two consecutive elections. It passed with 61 percent of the vote.
Ohio’s measure concerning property rights along the Great Lakes Water Compact area was approved by 72 percent of voters. Oregon’s measure that would exempt building permits for construction under $35,000 failed, 47 percent–53 percent. Louisiana’s constitutional amendment to remove restrictions on disposal of blighted property failed, 49 percent–51 percent.
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