Politics & Government
Massachusetts' Statewide Ballot Questions for November 2016
Legal marijuana, a second slots parlor, charter schools and chickens. Here are the questions, who's backing them, and a handy video to help.
November's not so far away, as any number of presidential campaign ads will remind you daily from here on out. However, there are a few boxes on the Massachusetts ballot that could have a much more personal impact on you and yours come Nov. 8.
No doubt you'll be seeing a slew of ad spots for and against these ballot questions, too (if you haven't been seeing them already).
Election Day is tomorrow, and Patch has your overview of the four big, statewide ballot initiatives coming up and a brief look at the forces fighting for and against them. You can also read Patch's breakdown of exactly how much Massachusetts' ballot questions cost (hint: it's in the tens of millions).
Find out what's happening in Beacon Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ballot Question 1: More Slots Licenses
The Question
"Expanding slot machine gaming. A 'yes' vote would allow a second slots parlor to exist in Massachusetts. The 2011 gambling law currently allows for up to three resort casinos and one slots parlor. The slots parlor license is owned by Penn National Gaming, which operates Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville."
Find out what's happening in Beacon Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The man behind the ballot push, according to The Boston Globe, is a "secretive" developer who's been buying up property near Suffolk Downs, with hopes to build a luxury hotel and gambling facility there. Opposed is Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo, whose city would be directly impacted. Staying tellingly neutral are other big gaming figures in the state, who would face increased competition should the ballot initiative succeed, the Globe reports. There is also a formalized opposition to the measure from the newly formed Committee for Sustainable and Responsible Economic Development.
Ballot Question 2: More Charter Schools
The Question
The Massachusetts Authorization of Additional Charter Schools and Charter School Expansion Initiative, also known as Question 2, is on the Nov. 8, 2016, ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute.
A "yes" vote supports this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education per year.
A "no" vote opposes this proposal to authorize up to 12 new charter schools or enrollment expansions in existing charter schools.
READ MORE: Question 2: Yes, It's Personal
The Players
The state Democratic Party recently moved to oppose lifting the charter cap, aligning with many of its biggest supporters, including several state teachers' unions, most prominently the Massachusetts Teachers' Association. However, it's not a cut-and-dry, partisan issue. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, supports lifting the cap and allowing more charter schools in Massachusetts, but so do several Democratic state lawmakers. Great Schools Massachusetts is mounting a million-dollar campaign for a "yes" on the ballot.
Ballot Question 3: More Free-Range Chickens
The Question
The Massachusetts Minimum Size Requirements for Question 3, also known as Question 3, is on the Nov. 8, 2016, ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute. It will be Question 3 on the ballot.
A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of prohibiting the sale of eggs, veal or pork of a farm animal "confined in a cruel manner."
A "no" vote is a vote against prohibiting the sale of eggs, veal or pork of a farm animal "confined in a cruel manner."
Question 3 would define "confined in a cruel manner" as "confined so as to prevent a covered animal from lying down, standing up, fully extending the animal’s limbs, or turning around freely." Massachusetts' Attorney General would be responsible for enforcing the law. A maximum fine of $1,000 could be levied for each violation.
The Players
Animal welfare advocacy group Citizens for Farm Animal Protection is the coalition supporting the Massachusetts ballot initiative. The egg industry isn't such a fan, saying the requirements fly in the face of logic, not to mention the laws of supply and demand. Find the full story on both sides from The Atlantic here.
READ MORE: Question 3: The 3,000 Chickens at the Center of the Debate
Ballot Question 4: More Marijuana
The Question
The Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative.
A "yes" vote supports this proposal to allow the use, cultivation, possession and distribution of recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old.
A "no" vote opposes this proposal to allow the use, cultivation, possession and distribution of recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old.
The Players
Pushing for this initiative is a group called The Massachusetts Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Aligned against it is a bipartisan group of powerful politicians including the state's governor, Boston's mayor and more members of the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts.
READ MORE: Question 4: In Marijuana Push, Massachusetts Is Far From Alone
>> Photo via Shutterstock
Correction: Patch has edited this article to correctly identify the current mayor of Revere.
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