Assignment Task:
1. Purpose and effect: What is the intended purpose of the proposition? How is it intended to fix/repeal/change current law/policy? If the proposition passes, will it statute or amend the constitution?
2. Support: Who supports the proposition? What motivated supporters to put it on the ballot? Did they try and fail previously (e.g., is this a repeat of a proposition that failed at the ballot box in earlier years? did supporters fail to get enough petition signatures to qualify it in earlier years? did supporters fail to convince the legislature/governor to enact the proposal)?
3. Opposition: Who opposes the proposition and why?
4. Arguments pro and con: What are the major arguments for supporting the proposition and who is making these arguments? What are the major arguments for opposing it and who is making these arguments? What arguments do you find most persuasive and what arguments do you find least persuasive?
5. Deception: Have you discovered any misleading or irrelevant arguments being made to sell/defeat the proposition? Do you think that these deceptive arguments may be persuasive?
6. Is the proposition garnering much attention yet?
- Are there any big-money interests in favor of or opposed to the proposition? How much money has been raised/spent by each side?
- Have there been any advertisements run by the supporters or opponents (or any advertisements planned)?
- Have any big names (e.g., elected officials, politicians, celebrities) endorsed or come out against the proposition
7. Predictions: Has there been any polling on the proposition? Is it ahead or behind in the polls? What is your prediction about whether it will pass and what do you base your prediction on?