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BALLOT QUESTION 2
For and against...
Get the arguments for and against the decriminalization of marijuana.
BALLOT QUESTION 3
For and against ...
Get the arguments for and against banning dog racing in Massachusetts.
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2nd SUFFOLK SENATE
Wilkerson ends campaign
State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, lacking political support and out of options, terminated her reelection campaign yesterday after a dramatic meeting with black ministers in Roxbury who urged her to step aside after her arrest this week on federal bribery charges.
(Globe Staff / Mark Wilson)
Dogs bolt around Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park. A poll released recently night indicated that 44 percent of those polled support an end to dog racing, 43 percent were opposed, and 13 percent were undecided.
QUESTION 3
Dog-racing ban's success would harm city, say Revere officials
Predictions in recent years regarding the future of Wonderland Greyhound Park have not centered on if - but when - it will close if slot machines or casino games are not added to the attractions.
- More on Question 3
- Cages at crux of fight over greyhound racing ban
- Ballot measure to retire dog racing in state is tight
- Carter Luke It's cruel and inhumane
- George Carney Vote no on Question 3; racing is safe
- Raynham-Taunton owner in a race against ballot question that would shutter dog track
- Globe Editorial No on Question 3
QUESTION 2
Top law enforcers call for 'no' vote on marijuana question
Local law enforcement officials have begun a final assault on Tuesday's ballot question to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, saying a "yes" vote would only empower drug dealers who resort to guns and violence in their trade.
- More on Question 2
- Ministers urging a Question 2 defeat
- Poll indicates half of voters want marijuana decriminalized
- Adrian Walker No spurring the pot
- DAs fight bid to ease penalty for marijuana
- Globe Editorial No on Question 2
- TOM KILEY A responsible change to an unfair law
- Gerry Leone | Jeffrey Brown Measure opens the door to more problems
QUESTION 1
Income tax foe, IRS wrangle over '01, '02 filings
A leader of the movement to eliminate the state income tax in Massachusetts is enmeshed in a dispute with the IRS over what the government says is nonpayment of federal income tax for 2001 and 2002.
- More on Question 1
- In income tax debate, 41% figure is 100% iffy
- Question 1 backers launch appeal
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- Income tax fight costly
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- GRAPHIC Funding sources
- INTERACTIVE How would you trim the state budget?
- Education board warns on repeal of income tax
- Shaky economy may weigh heavily in income tax vote
QUESTION 1 OPINIONS
- JOAN VENNOCHI Angry at Beacon Hill? Vote Republican
- ADRIAN WALKER It's a question of mistrust
- YVONNE ABRAHAM Who needs state taxes?
- JEFF JACOBY It's time for a 'blunt budget ax'
- Globe Editorial This question is not the answer
- Globe Editorial Question 1 = property tax hike
US SENATE
Kerry foe's dossier spans films, 9/11 hearing
Republican Jeff Beatty says he has been compared to Jack Bauer of Fox TV's "24," the antiterrorism agent who rushes headlong across the small screen to foil evil networks intent on destroying America.
- Beatty hammers Kerry on Iraq vote
- Globe Editorial Kerry for US Senate
Absentee ballots in high demand across state
Local election officials reported brisk business yesterday at their counters, with some lines snaking out the doors, as people around the state applied for and cast absentee ballots.
US HOUSE
NORTH SHORE
Voters face tax questions
The economic climate could not be less conducive to a call for increased taxes, but four communities south of Boston will be doing just that on Tuesday.
SOUTH SHORE
Contested State House seats, 3 proposals await voters' ruling
The presidential race may be foremost on the minds of area voters, but several state and congressional posts also are on the ballot in Tuesday's state election.
31st MIDDLESEX
Three battling for Middlesex House seat
The ballot question to repeal the state income tax and who could best reduce partisanship on Beacon Hill are among the issues drawing differences as a wide open race for state representative in the 31st Middlesex District heads into its final days.
List of Massachusetts races
The following are the races on the Nov. 4, 2008, general election ballot in Massachusetts. If only one candidate is listed, he or she is unopposed, though voters still have the option of casting write-in ballots.
KEY TO PARTY ABBREVIATIONS
Dem- Democrat, GOP- Republican, Ind- independent, Unr- unenrolled, Lib- Libertarian, CST- Constitution Party, SWP- Socialist Workers Party.
Dem- Democrat, GOP- Republican, Ind- independent, Unr- unenrolled, Lib- Libertarian, CST- Constitution Party, SWP- Socialist Workers Party.
US President
Seat held by: George W. Bush, who is not running for re-election
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Chuck Baldwin [ web site ] | CST | Pensacola, Fla. |
| Bob Barrows [ web site ] | Lib | Smyrna, Ga. |
| John McCain [ web site ] | GOP | Phoenix, Ariz. |
| Cynthia McKinney [ web site ] | Green | Lithonia, Ga. |
| Ralph Nader [ web site ] | Ind | Washington, D.C. |
| Barack Obama [ web site ] | Dem | Chicago |
US Congress
US SENATE
Seat held by: Kerry
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| John Kerry [ web site ] | Dem | Boston |
| Jeff Beatty [ web site ] | GOP | Harwich |
| Robert Underwood [ web site ] | Lib | Monson |
US House - 1st District
Seat held by: Olver
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| John Olver [ web site ] | Dem | Amherst |
| Nate Bech [ web site ] | GOP | West Springfield |
US House - 2nd District
Seat held by: Neal
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Richard Neal [ web site ] | Dem | Springfield |
US House - 3rd District
Seat held by: McGovern
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Jim McGovern [ web site ] | Dem | Worcester |
US House - 4th District
Seat held by: Frank
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Barney Frank [ web site ] | Dem | Newton |
| Earl Sholley [ web site ] | GOP | Norfolk |
| Susan Allen [ web site ] | Ind | Brookline |
US House - 5th District
Seat held by: Tsongas
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Niki Tsongas [ web site ] | Dem | Lowell |
US House - 6th District
Seat held by: Tierney
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| John Tierney [ web site ] | Dem | Salem |
| Richard Baker [ web site ] | GOP | West Newbury |
US House - 7th District
Seat held by: Markey
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Ed Markey [ web site ] | Dem | Malden |
| John Cunningham [ web site ] | GOP | Revere |
US House - 8th District
Seat held by: Capuano
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Mike Capuano [ web site ] | Dem | Somerville |
US House - 9th District
Seat held by: Lynch
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Stephen Lynch [ web site ] | Dem | Boston |
US House - 10th District
Seat held by: Delahunt
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Bill Delahunt [ web site ] | Dem | Quincy |
Statewide ballot questions
Question 1: Income tax ban
Summary: 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 January 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010.
| Choice | ||
| Yes [ web site ] | ||
| No [ web site ] |
Question 2: Decriminalize marijuana
Summary: This proposed law would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, to be enforced by issuing citations, and would exclude information regarding this civil offense from the state's criminal record information system. Offenders age 18 or older would be subject to forfeiture of the marijuana plus a civil penalty of $100. Offenders under the age of 18 would be subject to the same forfeiture and, if they complete a drug awareness program within one year of the offense, the same $100 penalty.
| Choice | ||
| Yes [ web site ] | ||
| No [ web site ] |
Question 3: Dog racing ban
Summary: This proposed law would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs. The State Racing Commission would be prohibited from accepting or approving any application or request for racing dates for dog racing.
| Choice | ||
| Yes [ web site ] | ||
| No [ web site ] |
Governor's Council
1st District
Seat held by: Fiola
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Carole Fiola | Dem | Fall River |
2nd District
Seat held by: Timilty
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Kelly Timilty | Dem | Dedham |
3rd District
Seat held by: Devaney
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Marilyn Devaney | Dem | Watertown |
4th District
Seat held by: Iannella
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Christopher Iannella | Dem | Boston |
5th District
Seat held by: Manning
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Mary-Ellen Manning [ web site ] | Dem | Salem |
6th District
Seat held by: Callahan
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Michael Callahan | Dem | Medford |
7th District
Seat held by: Foley
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Thomas Foley | Dem | Worcester |
8th District
Seat held by: Merrigan
| Candidate | Party | Hometown |
| Thomas Merrigan | Dem | Greenfield |
| Michael Franco | GOP | East Longmeadow |