Everything You Need To Know Before Hitting The Polls

After hearing both sides of the argument for months, Milton voters will now have the opportunity to voice their opinions on a handful of important political races and three ballot questions. 

The highest profile race on that state level is Milton resident Deval Patrick's bid for reelection as governor. Patrick and Lt. Governor Tim Murray are running as Democrats against Republicans Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei, Independents Tim Cahill and Paul Loscocco and Jill Stein and Rick Purcell, the Green-Rainbow Party candidates.

Also at the state level will be the Attorney General race between Democrat Martha Coakley, of Medford, and Republican James P. McKenna, of Millbury. 

The Secretary of State race is between Democrat William Francis Galvin of Boston and Woburn Republican William C. Campbell. 

For Treasurer, Steven Grossman, a Democrat from Newton, is squaring off against Karyn E. Polito, a Republican from Shrewsbury.

The final statewide race is for Auditor. Suzanne M. Bump, a Great Barrington Democrat, Framingham Republican Mary Z. Connaughton and Nathanael Alexander Fortune, the Green-Rainbow Party candidate from Whately, are running for the position.   

The only other Milton resident in a contested race is State Senator Brian A. Joyce. Joyce is being challenged by Canton Republican Robert E. Burr, Jr. for his seat representing the Norfolk, Brist0l and Plymouth District. 

Another contested race on the Milton ballot will be for Norfolk District Attorney. Michael Morrissey, a Quincy Democrat and John F. Coffey, an Independent from Needham will face off to fill the vacant office left by Bill Keating. 

Elections aren't the only significant items on this midterm ballot. The three ballot questions could also have a significant impact on Milton and the state.

Question 1: Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages

Question 1 asks voters if they want to repeal the alcohol tax, which was put in place last year when the sales tax was also increased. While the general sales tax went from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, there was previously no tax on the alcoholic beverages. Now the tax is 6.25 percent.

The Committee to Repeal the Alcohol Sales Tax says the tax in unfair because it is a "double tax" since there is already an excise tax on alcohol. The Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax says alcohol is not a necessity such as food and clothing, which are exempt from the sales tax. The money collected from the tax goes towards helping people with behavioral health problem.

If passed, the repeal would go in place on Jan. 1.

Question 2: Comprehensive Permits for Low- or Moderate- Income Housing

Question 2 asks voters if they want to repeal certain section of Chapter 40B, known as the "anti-snob zoning law." The law applies to towns that haven't met the state's requirement that all cities and towns have at least 10 percent of its housing dedicated to low and moderate-income residents.

Currently, a developer can apply for what's known as a "comprehensive permit" if it wishes to build a project that includes government subsided low or moderate income housing in a city or town where less than 10 percent of the housing is set aside to those residents. The comprehensive permits allows the developer to bypass the multiple approvals of land use boards and instead go to only the Zoning Board of Appeals, who consider recommendations from other board and officials before granting the permit.

Voting yes would remove the comprehensive permit portion of Chapter 40 B and a no vote would keep the law in tact.

In repealed, it would be effective on Jan. 1 but would not stop previously issued permits.

The Coalition for the Repeal of 40B says that the exiting law promotes subsidized, high density development that doesn't always consider local law, the neighborhood and environment and takes away local control of development.

The Campaign to Protect the Affordable Housing Law says that the law has created 58,000 home since it was put on the books 40 years ago and is responsible for 80 percent of the affordable housing that has been built outside cities in the past decade.

Question 3: Sales and Use Tax Rates

Question 3 has arguably drawn more attention that the other referendum questions on the Nov. 2 ballot. It asks voters whether they want to repeal the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent. The sales tax was increased from 5 percent to 6.25 percent last year.

If approved, the rollback would go in place on Jan. 1.

If the revenue produced by a 3 percent sales tax wouldn't bring in enough money to meet the state's requirements to meet any laws or bonds required to be paid by sales tax money then the sales tax would be lowered "to the lowest level allowed by law."

The Alliance to Roll Back Taxes says that the rollback would put $688 back in the pocket of every resident each year and create 32,929 jobs. It would also help businesses along the border near New Hampshire, which has no sales tax, and attract shoppers from other neighboring states with a higher sales tax, according to the Alliance.

The Massachusetts Coalition for Our Communities says the sales tax revenue helps pay for school teachers, police officers and firefighters and helps pay to repair road and bridges and provide health care. A decrease in sales tax revenue will force the state to cut local aid to cities and towns even more, the Coalition says, because state revenue will drop by $2.5 million.

The polls open at 7 a.m. today and will close at 8 p.m. across the state. If you're planning to cast a vote today, see the list below for your precinct's polling location. To find out what precinct you're in click here. 

Precinct 1: , 181 Blue Hills Parkway.

Precinct 2: , 250 Brook Rd.

Precinct 3: , 255 Canton Ave.

Precinct 4: , 10 Walnut St.

Precinct 5: Copeland Field House-, 25 Gile Rd.

Precinct 6: , 44 Edge Hill Rd.

Precinct 7:  Community Center, 75 Edge Hill Rd.

Precinct 8: Cunningham School 44 Edge Hill Rd.

Precinct 9: Copeland Field House-Milton High School, 25 Gile Rd.

Precinct 10: Cunningham Park Community Center, 75 Edge Hill Rd.

Precinct 11: Tucker School, 181 Blue Hills Parkway