While most news coverage is currently focused on the race for the White House, voters in a majority of states will be asked to weigh in on a host of ballot measures during the general elections, and several associations are working hard to influence those outcomes.

Political website Ballotpedia reports there are 160 statewide ballot measures in 35 states in 2016. By far the most popular issue is marijuana legalization, which will appear on the ballots in 10 states. Four states have measures to increase the minimum wage, although a fifth state, South Dakota, is bucking the trend with a proposal to lower the minimum wage for workers younger than 18.

Another five states have ballot issues relating to healthcare, ranging from proposals to hold down drug costs to exempting certain medical equipment from state sales taxes. Voters in four states will be asked to enact new gun control measures. http://bit.ly/2cFHqw3

Many associations usually focus on California when directing resources to advocate for or against ballot measures. The state is something of a trendsetter for new laws and California's initiative process makes getting measures on the ballot relatively easy.

Among this year's measures is a proposed law requiring California agencies to pay no more for prescription drugs than the amount paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Proponents of the law hope it will help rein in rising drug prices. The pharmaceutical industry has launched a massive public relations campaign against the initiative, so far spending more than $70 million to defeat it, according to Ballotpedia. Most of that money is coming directly from drug companies but Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has contributed at least $450,000 to the vote "no" campaign.

Another California ballot measure would end the state's ban on plastic bags. The initiative was the creation of the American Progressive Bag Alliance, which is part of SPI: The Plastic Industry Trade Association. The alliance also managed to get a second measure related to plastic bags on the ballot, this one redirecting bag fees to a state fund for wildlife conservation.

California voters also will be asked to adopt a law requiring actors to wear condoms or other protection during the filming of pornographic films. The Free Speech Coalition, which represents the adult entertainment industry, is campaigning against the measure with commercials and other advertisements.

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