Boston Election Guide: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4

By Liz Taurasi (Patch Staff) and Matt Perkins (Patch Staff)

The Massachusetts 2014 election arrives on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and we’ve got information on where and when to vote.

Before you head to the polls, find out what you need to know about the election this week, and also be sure to check to a sample ballot for this year’s election here.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters are encouraged to confirm their voter status and polling location in the city of Boston by visiting the Secretary of State’s office online or by visiting cityofboston.gov/elections/voter.

Voters in Boston are also encouraged to click here for suggestions and tips on a smooth voting experience on Tuesday.

Voting With An Absentee Ballot?

Remember, those ballots have to be received by the Clerk’s office by noon on Monday to count.

Statewide Contested Races

For the full list of candidates running on Tuesday, click here >>

There are six statewide contested races on the ballot, including the governor’s race:

• Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Martha Coakley and Lt. Governor Kerrigan, Republican Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Polito, United Independent Party Falchuk and Lt. Governor candidate Jennings, Independent Lively and Saunders and Independent McCormick and Post.
• U.S. Congress: For U.S. Congress, incumbent Edward Markey is facing Republican challenger Brian J. Herr of Hopkinton.
• Attorney General: With AG Martha Coakley running for governor of Massachusetts, there are two candidates vying for her seat: Democrat Maura Healy of Boston and Republican John B. Miller of Winchester
• Secretary of State: Secretary of State William Galvin (Democrat) is facing Republican challenger David D’Arcangelo of Malden and Green-Rainbow candidate Daniel L. Factor of Acton.
• State Treasurer: Three candidates are vying for the State Treasurer seat being left vacant by Steven Grossman who lost his gubernatorial bid in the September primary and is not seeking reelection. They are: Democrat Deborah Goldberg of Brookline, Michael Heffernan of Wellesley and Ian Jackson of Arlington.
• State Auditor: Current State Auditor Suzanne Bump (Democrat) is facing Republican challenger Patricia Saint Aubin of Norfolk and Green-Rainbow party candidate MK Merelice of Brookline.

Ballot Questions

Information on this year’s ballot questions can be found at the following links:

• Ballot Question 1: Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing
  Question 1 asks residents if they approve a law that would eliminate the annual adjustment of the state’s gasoline tax, which was 24 cents per gallon as of September 2013. Currently the gas tax is adjusted every year by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index over the preceding year, but not be adjusted below 21.5 cents per gallon. A “yes” vote would eliminate the requirement that the state’s gas tax be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. A “no” vote would make no change in the laws regarding the gas tax.
• Ballot Question 2: Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law
  Question 2 asks voters if they approve a law that would expand the state’s beverage container deposit law, also known as the Bottle Bill, to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic, non-carbonated drinks in liquid form intended for human consumption, except beverages primarily derived from dairy products, infant formula and FDB approved medicines. A “yes” vote would expand the state’s beverage container deposit law to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic, non-carbonated drinks with certain exceptions, increase the associated handling fees and make other changes to the law. A “no” vote would make no change in the current laws regarding beverage container deposits.
• Ballot Question 3: Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming
  If approved, Question 3 would prohibit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission from issuing any license for a casino or other gaming establishment with table games and slot machines, or any license for a gaming establishment with slot machines. It would additionally prohibit any such casino or slots gaming under any such licenses that the commision might have issued before the proposed law took effect and prohibit wagering on the simulcasting of live greyhound races. A “yes” vote would prohibit casinos, any gaming establishment with slot machines and wagering on simulcast greyhound races. A “no” vote would make no change in the current laws regarding gaming.
• Ballot Question 4: Earned Sick Time for Employees
  This proposed law would entitle employees in Massachusetts to earn and use sick time according to certain conditions. Employees who work for employers having eleven or more employees could earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per calendar year, while employees working for smaller employers could earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per calendar year. A “yes” vote would entitle employees in Massachusetts to earn and use sick time according to certain conditions. A “no” vote would make no change in the laws regarding earned sick time.