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Upcoming Election Issues

On November 4th, Massachusetts voters will get to elect many national and state officials, and also decide on three state-wide ballot issues.

The MA Secretary of State Office has published the Information for Voters booklet [pdf], which includes these ballot questions and outlines what a Yes or No vote means in each case. Copies of these booklets are available online [pdf] and at the Reference Desk, and the issues are summarized below.

Question 1: State Personal Income Tax
This proposed law would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65% for all categories of taxable income for the tax year beginning on or after Jan 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after Jan 1, 2010. Complete summary…

• Voting Yes would lower and then eliminate personal income tax as a source of revenue for the state government.
  More information: SmallGovernmentAct.org
• Voting No would make no change to state income tax laws.
  More information: VoteNoQuestion1.com

Read how Question 1 could affect the Chelmsford Library, in a statement by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Question 2: Possession of Marijuana
This proposed law would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce of less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, and would exclude information regarding this civil offense from the state’s criminal record information system. Complete summary…

• Voting Yes would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce of less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties.
  More information: SensibleMarijuanaPolicy.org
• Voting No would make no change in state criminal laws concerning possession of marijuana.
  More information: Mass.gov/MDAA

Question 3: Dog Racing
This proposed law would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed of ability of dogs occurs. Complete summary…

• Voting Yes would prohibit any dog races on which betting or wagering occurs, effective Jan 1, 2010.
  More information: MSPCA.org
• Voting No would make no change in state criminal laws concerning dog racing.
  More information: RaynhamParkFun.com

Additional information on these questions, candidates for office in 2008, and registering and voting in Massachusetts is available from the Elections Division of the Secretary of State.