Editor's Note: With election day tomorrow, the outcome of the votes in Oregon, Alaska, D.C. and Florida is anybody's best guess. Oregon, which the majority of people in the marijuana industry believe to be a shoo-in for passing legalization, is even teetering on the edge, according to recent polls–this article from Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight cites last week's poll showing 44 percent for and 46 percent opposed.
Two states – Oregon and Alaska – and Washington, D.C., are voting Tuesday on ballot measures to legalize marijuana. Florida is voting to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. On the heels of successful legalization efforts in Colorado and Washington state in 2012, activists are hoping to pick up at least one win in a tougher year – there are midterm elections rather than a presidential election.
The voting blocs most sympathetic to marijuana legalization –younger voters and people of color– turn out less for these off-year elections than for presidential fights. Still, Florida and Alaska have high-profile statewide offices up for grabs in tight races – governor and senator, respectively – so it’s possible there may be some turnout advantage.
