by Linda Conte in Uncategorized
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 7:45 am
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Am I the only one who doesn’t know what all the initiatives and relevant offices are on the ballot? I know of 4 initiatives but I’ve heard there will be 7. I know how I want to vote on the biggies, but some of the lesser known offices I’ve sometimes skipped over because I’m not sure. One time (in the 80′s) I voted for someone I didn’t know just because he was a Democrat. I came home and a housemate told me that he was the lawyer who got her rapist free with very little consequences. I don’t vote blindly anymore, but I’d rather read up on things ahead of time!
Also, FYI, I never knew it was possible to vote in advance but my son just went to City Hall and did the deed yesterday (his first ever vote!). He’ll be away on Election Day and this was more convenient than an absentee ballot. I wonder if it would have been legal for him to take a photo of the ballot for me.
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You can probably find what you need here http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/
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Nope. That only gives me statewide ballot initiatives. I want to know every question and candidate I’m going to find on my ballot.
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Yeah, it actually does tell you what you need. You have to select the appropriate link and complete your address to find “your ballot.” Try “my election information.”
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Okay. I finally managed to follow the links and notice that this is at the top of what looks mostly like my ballot:
Please Note: This is NOT a valid official ballot. Candidates for some local and county offices are not reflected in the ballot below. These offices may, however, appear on your ballot when voting.
In red.
I’m probably close enough that I won’t get paralyzed by test anxiety at the polls, but seems like I should be able to know everything that’s on the ballot in advance.
BTW, thanks for your persistance in guiding me Kara.
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Hi,
I think you should just call the Somerville election committee if you are worried that this information is incorrect/incomplete.
Obviously, they should be doing a better job of publicizing address-specific ballot information.
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Somerville’s Question 4 is binding, adopting the Community Preservation Act. It would establish a 1.5% surcharge on property taxes, which would allow the city to receive state matching funds to: 1) develop affordable housing, 2/ acquire or improve open space for parks and conservation, and 2) rehab and restore historic landmarks. More info: http://www.investinsomerville.com
ADVISORY QUESTIONS: THESE NON-BINDING QUESTIONS ALLOW VOTERS TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS AND WOULD INSTRUCT A STATE LEGISLATOR HOW TO VOTE ON CERTAIN ISSUES:
Question 5 in Somerville,
Budget for All:
Shall the state senator from this district be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling upon Congress and the President to: (1) prevent cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits, or to housing, food and unemployment assistance; (2) create and protect jobs by investing in manufacturing, schools, housing, renewable energy, transportation and other public services; (3) provide new revenues for these purposes and to reduce the long-term federal deficit by closing corporate tax loopholes, ending offshore tax havens, and raising taxes on incomes over $250,000; and (4) redirect military spending to these domestic needs by reducing the military budget, ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing U.S. troops home safely now? more info: budget4allmass.org
Question 6 in Somerville:
Marijuana regulation:
Shall the state senator from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol?
Question 7 in Somerville: Citizens United
Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling upon Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. constitution affirming that (1) corporations are not entitled to the constitutional rights of human beings, and (2) both Congress and the states may place limits on political contributions and political spending?
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