By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.
With polls across the country showing that the two major party candidates for President are hugely unpopular, and with Massachusetts being a firmly Democratic stronghold in national elections, the appeal of this voting season for voters seems iffy at-best, especially in cities like Everett that have no contested down ballot races.
However, if one considers the presence of four state initiative questions on this year’s ballot, there might just be enough interest in the race to draw voters to the polls after all, especially given the Early Voting option (see related story).
Below is a quick summary of the four questions that voters will consider as they vote between now and November 8. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. For information about which polling location you can vote at, contact the Everett Elections Commission at City hall at 617-394-2297 or visit the city website.
QUESTION 1: For Additional Slots Gaming License
The proposed law would allow the state Gaming Commission to issue one additional category 2 license, which would permit operation of a gaming establishment with no table games and not more than 1,250 slot machines.
A YES VOTE would permit the state Gaming Commission to license one additional slot-machine gaming establishment at a location that meets certain conditions specified in the law.
A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws regarding gaming.
QUESTION 2: To Increase Number of Charter Schools
This proposed law would allow the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to approve up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools each year. Approvals under this law could expand statewide charter school enrollment by up to 1% of the total statewide public school enrollment each year. New charters and enrollment expansions approved under this law would be exempt from existing limits on the number of charter schools, the number of students enrolled in them, and the amount of local school districts’ spending allocated to them.
A YES VOTE would allow for up to 12 approvals each year of either new charter schools or expanded enrollments in existing charter schools, but not to exceed 1% of the statewide public school enrollment.
A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to charter schools.
QUESTION 3: A Law about the keeping of farm animals raised for food
This proposed law would prohibit any farm owner or operator from knowingly confining any breeding pig, calf raised for veal, or egg-laying hen in a way that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely. The proposed law would also prohibit any business owner or operator in Massachusetts from selling whole eggs intended for human consumption or any uncooked cut of veal or pork if the business owner or operator knows or should know that the hen, breeding pig, or veal calf that produced these products was confined in a manner prohibited by the proposed law. The proposed law would exempt sales of food products that combine veal or pork with other products, including soups, sandwiches, pizzas, hotdogs, or similar processed or prepared food items.
The proposed law would be in addition to any other animal welfare laws and would not prohibit stricter local laws.
A YES VOTE would prohibit any confinement of pigs, calves, and hens that prevents them from lying down, standing up, fully extending their limbs, or turning around freely.
A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to the keeping of farm animals.
QUESTION 4: To Legalize Marijuana Production and Consumption
The proposed law would permit the possession, use, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana in limited amounts by persons age 21 and older and would remove criminal penalties for such activities. It would provide for the regulation of commerce in marijuana, marijuana accessories, and marijuana products and for the taxation of proceeds from sales of these items.
The proposed law would not affect existing law regarding medical marijuana treatment centers or the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence. It would permit property owners to prohibit the use, sale, or production of marijuana on their premises (with an exception that landlords cannot prohibit consumption by tenants of marijuana by means other than by smoking); and would permit employers to prohibit the consumption of marijuana by employees in the workplace. State and local governments could continue to restrict uses in public buildings or at or near schools. Supplying marijuana to persons under age 21 would be unlawful.
A YES VOTE would allow persons 21 and older to possess, use, and transfer marijuana and products containing marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts, and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products.
A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to marijuana.