State Election on Tuesday
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the State Election on November 2. Voters will weigh in on state and county contests and three ballot questions.
Here are the races. Click on the names of the candidates to visit their websites.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Democrat incumbents Deval Patrick and Tim Murray take on Republican challengers Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei, independent challenger and current State Treasurer Tim Cahill, whose running-mate, Paul Loscocco, withdrew from the race to endorse Baker, and Green-Rainbow candidates Jill Stein and Rick Purcell.
Attorney General
Democrat incumbent Martha Coakley is challenged by Republican Jim McKenna.
Secretary of State
Democrat incumbent Bill Galvin is challenged by Republican Bill Campbell and unenrolled candidate Jim Henderson.
Treasurer
Democratic candidate Steve Grossman and Republican candidate Karyn Polito are vying for the office of Treasurer.
Auditor
Democratic candidate Suzanne Bump, Republican Mary Z. Connaughton, and Green-Rainbow candidate Nat Fortune are looking to become Auditor.
Fourth District Representative in Congress
Democrat incumbent Barney Frank is challenged by Republican Sean Bielat, Independent Susan Allen, and Tax Revolt Independent Don Jordan.
Governor's Council, First District
Brothers Charles Oliver Cipollini (Republican, no website) and Oliver P. Cipollini, Jr. (Democrat) are running against each other for a seat on the Governor's Council. The two reportedly share the same values.
First Plymouth & Bristol District Senator in General Court
Democratic incumbent Marc Pacheco is challenged by Republican David Pottier.
Second Plymouth District Representative in General Court
Republican incumbent Susan Williams Gifford is challenged by Democrat David Smith.
Plymouth District Attorney
Republican incumbent Tim Cruz takes on Democratic challenger John Shea.
Plymouth County Sheriff
Candidate for re-election Joseph McDonald, Jr. is running unopposed.
Plymouth County Commissioner
Democrat incumbent Tim McMullen is challenged by Republican Sandra Wright.
Regional Technical School Committee
Voters will choose a member of the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Committee from each District. Candidate Lisa Dumont is running unopposed for the Bourne seat; incumbent Edmund Zamuda is running unopposed for the Falmouth seat; there is no candidate for the Marion seat; incumbent Penelope Blackwell is running unopposed in Sandwich, and incumbent Kent Pearce is running unopposed in Wareham.
Plymouth County Charter Commission, District 1
Candidate John Donahue is running unopposed.
Ballot questions:
Question 1: Sales tax on alcoholic beverages
A proposed law to remove the 6.25 percent Massachusetts sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of those beverages or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law. The law would take effect on January 1, 2011. A "yes" vote would remove the state sales tax on the aforementioned beverages; a "no" vote would make no change.
Question 2: Comprehensive permits for low- or moderate-income housing
A proposed law that would repeal an existing state law that allows a qualified organization wishing to build government-subsidized housing that includes low- or moderate-income units to apply for a single comprehensive permit from a city or town's Zoning Board of Appeals, rather than separate permits from each local agency or official having jurisdiction over an aspect of the proposed housing. The law would take effect on January 1, 2011, but would not affect any proposed housing that has already received a comprehensive permit, as well as a building permit, for at least one unit. A "yes" vote would repeal the current state law allowing the issuance of a comprehensive permit; a "no" vote would make no change in the current law.
Question 3: Sales and use tax rates
A proposed law to reduce the state sales and use tax to 3 percent as of January 1, 2011. (The sales and use tax was increased to 6.25 percent as of September 2009.) A "yes" vote would reduce the state sales and use tax; a "no" vote would make no change in the state sales tax.
Question 4
Question 4 asks if a charter study commission should be created to study the governmental structure of Plymouth County. The commission would consider the current form of government and make recommendations.
Question 5
Question 5 is non-binding and asks if the state representative from this district should be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow patients, with the written recommendation of their doctor or other registered caregiver, to possess and grow marijuana for the patient's medical use.
For more information about the ballot questions, click here to visit the Massachusetts Election Division website.