Massachusetts Ballot Questions

Aside from the all-important presidential election on Nov. 4, Massachusetts voters have three ballot questions to cast their votes on. I cannot remember any ballot questions that could impact our state any more than these three. I'm quite sure that on election night, all 3 major networks will mention how Massachusetts voters go about deciding these ballot questions.

State ballot question 1, titled "State Personal Income Tax," would eliminate all state income tax for everyone, starting in the year 2010. If you vote yes, you would eliminate any Mass. state taxes taken out of your paycheck. A no vote would keep the status quo. I'm very interested in who will win this question. How may people will not vote themselves a pay raise? After being bombarded with political commercials, telling us how each candidate has done a lousy job handling our state and federal budgets, and how greed has controlled Wall St; how many voters will vote to keep their money in their own pockets? Interesting enough, the only commercial I've seen on this issue is one to urge voters to vote no. Stating that a yes vote would cause budget cuts to schools, public safety, and so on, this is the only opinion I've seen on this issue. In a state that is located on the border of the "Live Free or Die" state, I'm looking forward to see how this turns out.

State Ballot question 2, titled "Possesion of Marijuana," would replace criminal penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, replacing the criminal aspect with a system for civil penalties and fines. This is an issue that can create long winded debates on each side. The bottom line is simple. This states spends 30 millions dollars annually for marijuana arrests. The new civil fines of 100 dollars would free up law enforcement officials to focus on more serious crimes. The opposition to this question is simple. If passed, does it send the wrong message to young people? The only commercial I have seen on this issue is a law enforcement official supporting the decriminalization of marijuana possession. I honestly expected to hear more from the other side.

The final ballot question, state ballot question 3, titled "Dog Racing," would prohibit any dog racing in our state. Dog racing has been legal in this state for over 70 years. The airwaves have been bombarded with ads to vote yes on this question. I have seen no opposition commercial.

On a final note, I would like to thank the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, William Galvin, who sends each household a guide to all ballot questions, giving both sides of each argument, and the actual text of the question. This booklet also includes a mail in voter registration card, making it easy for voters to express their opinions by voting on November 4th. I'm proud to be a Massachusetts voter, and cannot wait to see all of the results of the ballot questions.