美国国家公共电台 NPR--Michigan voters reelect Gov. Whitmer, safeguard abortion rights in the state

Michigan voters reelect Gov. Whitmer, safeguard abortion¹ rights in the state

Transcript²

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat³, won a second term over Republican Tudor Dixon. Voters also acted to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Big governor's races last night. The Democrat vying⁴ to be governor in the state of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, has won. Tony Evers, a Democrat trying to - trying for reelection in the state of Wisconsin, also came out on top. Brian Kemp won easily in Georgia, defeating gubernatorial candidate Democrat Stacey Abrams. And Arizona Republican Kari Lake is vying for the job over the Democrat, Katie Hobbs. That race is close. It is not over yet. And in the state of Michigan, the sitting governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has won reelection. I'm joined now by Rick Pluta from Michigan Public Radio. Thanks so much for being here.

RICK PLUTA, BYLINE⁵: Oh, it's a pleasure.

MARTIN: So Gretchen Whitmer defeats a political newcomer, Tudor Dixon. Tell us about that race. How close was it in the end?

PLUTA: You know, it was close, but in the end, not that close, although Dixon has yet to concede. But, you know, Gretchen Whitmer - really, Democrats⁶ in Michigan wound up running the table. Not only did Gretchen Whitmer win reelection, but for the first time in 40 years, the legislature will be controlled by Democrats, the first time that triumvirate will be in place. And it even made a difference in some critical congressional races.

MARTIN: I want to ask about this amendment⁷ on abortion that Michigan voters approved of yesterday. What does it do?

PLUTA: It puts into the state constitution reproductive rights. And it's fairly sweeping⁸ in its protections that a lot of it will probably be determined⁹ in court cases. But the basic right to an abortion is protected from - well, I should say, reproductive rights, from birth control all the way to, you know, having the right to an abortion through viability¹⁰.

MARTIN: I think we've got a clip here.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

GRETCHEN WHITMER: We will make Michigan a leader, a place where every person is respected and protected under the law, a place where women make their own decisions.

(CHEERING)

MARTIN: Governor Whitmer speaking there. So actual voting was on the ballot¹¹, too, right, Rick? Voters supported big changes to the electoral system. Explain that.

PLUTA: It was a voting rights amendment that dealt a lot with absentee ballots¹², the ability to get them and to sign up to be permanently¹³ on an absentee ballot list, that there has to be drop boxes to be able to vote absentee. And same-day registration¹⁴ is now guaranteed, although it is already in state law.

MARTIN: What's your big takeaway from the vote in Michigan yesterday? I mean, does it - does the state still operate as a swing state?

PLUTA: I mean, it'll take a couple of elections to determine whether or not Michigan is still a swing state or has become a blue state. I would say it's still a swing state, but it's a lot bluer than it was before.

MARTIN: Rick Pluta with Michigan Public Radio Network, thanks for your time.

PLUTA: Thank you.

1 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

4 vying   

adj.竞争的；比赛的

参考例句：

• California is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market.为了在日渐扩大的通讯市场分得一杯羹，加利福尼亚正在和其他州展开竞争。
• Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo.4个拯救动物园的方案正争得不可开交。

5 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

6 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

8 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

9 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

10 viability   

n.存活(能力)

参考例句：

• What is required to achieve or maintain such viability? 要达到或维持这种生存能力需要什么？
• Scientists are experimenting to find ways to ensure the viability of seeds for even longer periods of time. 正如我们所说，科学家正在试验努力寻找让种子的生命力更加延长的方法。

11 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

12 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

14 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？