Bedford Patch Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to Tuesday’s elections, Bedford Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Bookmark this page for updates.

Sample Ballot: To see your sample ballot, go to the Secretary of State's website and enter your address in the Election Information Page.

Polling locations: Precincts 1,2,3 and 4 vote at John Glenn Middle School. 

• Polls are open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
• Absentee ballots are due to the Bedford Town Clerk's office by Monday, Nov. 5 at noon.

Races

LOCAL:

• Middlesex County Sheriff
  - Peter Koutoujian (D)
  - Ernesto Petrone (Unenrolled)
• Clerk of Courts, Middlesex County
  - Michael Sullivan (D)
• Register of Deeds, Southern Middlesex
  - Maria Curtatone (D)

STATE:

• State Senate
  - Michael Barrett (D)
   -Sandi  Martinez (R)
• State Legislature, 21st Middlesex 
  - Ken Gordon (D)
  -Walter Zenkin (R) 
• Governor's Council, District 3
  - Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney (D)
  - Tom Sheff (Unenrolled)

NATIONAL:

• US President
  - Barack Obama (D)
  - Mitt Romney (R)
  - Gary Johnson (L)
  - Jill Stein (GR)
• US Senate
  - Scott Brown (R)
  - Elizabeth Warren (D)
  
• Congress, 6th District
  -John Tierney (D)
  -Richard Tisei (R)
  -Daniel Fishman (Libertarian)  

November Ballot Questions:

• Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information: This law would require all car manufacturers to provide — on an equitable fair-market value subscription basis — all diagnostic and repair information for model years beginning in 2015 to owners or an owner’s designated in-state independent repair facility (not affiliated with a manufacturer or its authorized dealers). The law would also make available for purchase information for model years 2002 through 2014.
• Prescribing Medication to End Life: This law "would allow a physician licensed in Massachusetts to prescribe medication, at a terminally ill patient’s request, to end that patient’s life." The act would require that patients are mentally capable of making this decision and orally communicate it to a doctor on two occasions 15 days apart. Participation by a doctor or health care facility would be voluntary.
• Medical Use of Marijuana: This law "would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients." It would also allow patients to possess a 60-day supply of marijuana and would establish at least one in each county but no more than 35 "treatment centers" throughout the state in 2013.