NOTE: Anything that appears on a ballot other than a candidate running for office is called a ballot measure.  Ballot measures are broken down into two distinct categories - initiatives (or propositions) and referendums.

Initiative - Citizens, collecting signatures on a
petition, place advisory questions, memorials, statutes (laws) or
constitutional amendments on the ballot for the citizens to adopt or
reject.  "Initiative" refers to newly drafted legislation submitted
directly to a popular vote as an alternative to adoption by a state
legislature.  Twenty-four states have the initiative process.

1.  What did ballot measure Proposition 8 in California do?

2.  Which groups have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the Prop 8 amendment?

3.  On what grounds are the groups arguing against Prop 8?

4.  What were Florida and Arizona's ballot measures on marriage and what was the outcome of each?

5.  a) Define bellwether as used in para. 8.
b)  The passage of Prop 8 marks the first time voters have banned same-sex marriage in a state where it was already legal.  
What is the history of same-sex marriage in California?
(NOTE: The election on Nov. 4 brings the number of states with similar constitutional amendments to 30.  Massachusetts is the only state where same-sex marriage is legal.)

6.  a) Stay as used in para. 10 is defined as "A suspension or postponement of a legal action." What problems has the California Supreme Court caused by refusing to stay its own ruling for six months?
b)  Do you think the court should have agreed to stay its own ruling pending the outcome of Prop 8 in the November elections?  Explain your answer.

7.  a) Define hallmark as used in paragraph 16.
b)  What was the hallmark feature of Prop 8?

8.  Would you have voted for or against Prop 8?  Explain your answer.