Choices on Election Day

EVEN IN the decidedly non-battleground state of Massachusetts, voter registration is up this year by 125,000 over 2004. This is thrilling news for all who believe civic engagement makes a stronger democracy. We urge voters to bring patience and good humor to the polls today, and review our endorsements in key races:

For president and vice president, the Globe strongly endorses Democrats Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, because they have the philosophy, drive, and experience to heal the country and move it forward.

For the US Senate, John Kerry has earned reelection to a fifth term, for his leadership on environmental and foreign policy. In New Hampshire, we support Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in her bid for US Senate.

In Congress, four Massachusetts incumbents are facing challenges, and we urge votes for Democrats Barney Frank in the Fourth District - a smart and steady hand in the current financial crisis - and John F. Tierney in the Sixth, Edward J. Markey in the Seventh and John W. Olver in the First District.

In the Legislature, we took sides in 10 selected races. In the Second Suffolk District in Boston, we endorse Sonia Rosa Chang-Diaz for state Senate - now more than ever. In the Middlesex and Worcester District, representative James B. Eldridge deserves elevation to a Senate seat. And in the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District, Sara Orozco is a promising newcomer.

There are three lively races for open seats in the Massachusetts House. We choose Democrats Kate Hogan in the Third Middlesex District (Hudson, Stow, Maynard, and Bolton); Jason M. Lewis in the 31st Middlesex District (Winchester and Stoneham), and Carolyn C. Dykema in the Eighth Middlesex District (Holliston and Hopkinton).

Elsewhere in the state we support House minority leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. of North Reading for reelection in the 20th Middlesex District, and Republican Bradford R. Hill of Ipswich in the Fourth Essex District. Also for reelection, we support Barbara A. L'Italien, Democrat of Andover, in the 18th Essex District, and Thomas P. Conroy, Democrat of Wayland, who is in a rematch for his 13th Middlesex seat.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

Initiative petitions generally use a blunt instrument to decide complex public policies, and no instrument is blunter than Question 1, the reckless idea to eliminate the state income tax. We urge all Massachusetts citizens to vote No on Question 1.

We also urge No on Question 2, the proposal to decriminalize possession of marijuana, because we believe law enforcement and community leaders who say it is the wrong answer to flaws in the system.

The proposal to ban dog racing in Massachusetts is a closer call, but we do not agree that dog racing is inherently cruel, and the evidence of harm to the animals is not compelling enough to eliminate the business. We recommend No on Question 3.