Born Animal Voters Guide

November 03, 2008

The results of Election Day here in the states could decide the fate of countless animals nationwide. The obvious lesson of past elections is that we all need to exercise our right to vote, so please, if you haven't already mailed in your ballot, visit your local polling place tomorrow and make your voice heard.

Numerous animal rights and environmental protection groups support Barack Obama and Joe Biden. These groups include:

Defenders of Wildlife Action
Environment America
Friends of the Earth Action
The Humane Society Legislative Fund
League of Conservation Voters
The Sierra Club
and many, many others.

Please check back at Born Animal on Wednesday for the story behind the below Barack Obama photo.

(Credit: Robert Sebree / reprinted from A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere (Fireside Books)

The HSLF released one of the most interesting and informative endorsements of the Obama/Biden ticket, in terms of focusing on animal-related issues. You can read it here. Voters in several states will also get to decide on important measures that would directly impact the welfare of animals. Below are just a few:

California
Proposition 2
The Prevention of Farm Cruelty Act

YES!

This act would require that animals confined in industrial farms be able to lie down, extend their limbs and turn their bodies around. Arizona, Oregon, Colorado and Florida have already passed somewhat related legislation.

Even if you live in other states, it's important to know how your food is grown and raised. To read more about this proposition, please go to Humane California. The below video also summarizes both the situation and the proposition. Even if this proposition passes, much additional work will need to be done to improve the conditions for factory farm animals.

Massachusetts
Proposition 3
The Greyhound Protection Act

YES!

This proposition would take steps to phase out, within a few years time, the cruel and inhumane practice of commercial dog racing. Greyhound dogs used for such racing are often housed under deplorable conditions. Broken limbs, paralysis and cardiac arrest often result due to overexertion and racing injuries. For more information, please visit Protect Dogs and watch the following video:

Oklahoma
State Question 742
Proposed state constitutional amendment concerning hunting

NO!

This initiative would, according to political analysts, make hunting, fishing and trapping the preferred means to manage certain animals and fish in Oklahoma. The HSLF calls this state question "a cynical and underhanded power grab by the legislature to take away the rights of Oklahoma citizens. It's a threat to wildlife and also undemocratic. We urge voters in Oklahoma to oppose this initiative and vote 'No' on this question in November."

Back to California's Proposition 2, it inspired one of the better ads over this lengthy election period. This groovy little ad obviously carries a very serious message about factory farming practices.