Advertisement

Voters Debate Ballot Questions

News Feature

But opponents of Question 4 say Massachusetts voters already have the ability to limit someone's time in office.

"We have enormous turnover already...People can overturn [someone] if they don't want the incumbent," Wolf says. "It is a simplistic solution to a problem that can be pretty much handled by a little democracy."

Deena Whitfield, chair of the "No on 4" campaign and president of the League of Women's Voters of Massachusetts, says the law would restrict the choices of voters, by not allowing someone's name on the ballot if he or she had served their requisite terms.

Although candidates who have served too long to reappear on the ballot may still be elected by write-in vote, Whitfield says the new law would prohibit the write-in candidate from receiving a salary if elected.

"The new law limits the information citizens receive and it will manipulate the ballot process," Whitfield says.

Advertisement

"Are we so stupid that we do not know how to vote?" Whitfield asks. "We've always had term limits and we all have the opportunity to vote them out."

OTHER QUESTIONS

The city of Cambridge is galvanizing around its opposition to Question 9. If approved, Question 9 would prohibit rent control for most housing units and would eliminate certain existing rent control laws.

Opponents say that if passed, the law would cause economic hardship for the state and the possible eviction of more than 200,000 people, including 25,000 elderly citizens.

"There are very few reasons to vote for it, unless you are a landlord," says Don Veach, treasurer of the Save our Communities Coalition. "You will see immediate eviction in large numbers if it is approved."

"Rent control is not a welfare provision, it is a consumer protection act," Veach adds.

Roosevelt is against Question Nine which he believes is a local issue not to be decided at the state level, Gritton says.

Popeo says Weld has not yet formed an opinion on Question 9.

Three ballot questions have received less attention in this campaign. Question 1, if approved, would regulate spending on ballot question campaigns. Question 3, if approved, would enforce a law prohibiting students from authorizing a waivable fee on tuition bills at Massachusetts state and community colleges. Question 8, if approved, would increase the money in the state's Highway Fund

Advertisement