Easton 2012 Election Guide: All You Need to Know About Tuesday's Election
Election Day is upon us! Who is on the ballot? Where can you vote? and when are polls open?
Election Day is upon us.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Easton voters will head to the polls to vote in a number of elections and on a number of ballot questions. Polls are open in Easton from 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. All precincts should report to Oliver Ames High School to vote.
Here is a look at who you'll be deciding between. Click on the candidate's name to learn more about them. Additionally, sample ballots from the Easton Town Clerk's office are attached.
Be sure to follow @EastonPatch on twitter and Easton Patch on facebook for up-to-the-minute Election Day coverage.
U.S. Senate
Republican Candidates:
Scott Brown: Sen. Brown (R-Wrentham) is running for re-election after winning a special election in 2010 in which he replaced late Senator Ted Kennedy.
Democratic Candidates:
Elizabeth Warren: Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren (D-Cambridge) is challenging Sen. Brown. She recently spoke to Patch readers during a live chat.
U.S. House of Representatives
Democratic Candidates:
Joe Kennedy III: In February, Kennedy kicked off his campaign with a tour of the 4th Congressional Disctrict. While Kennedy is the son of former Congressman Joe Kennedy and the grandson of Senator Robert Kennedy, the 31-year-old former Middlesex assistant district attorney was quick to say that he is his own person.
Republican Candidates:
Sean Bielat: After losing the Fourth Congressional District by 11 percentage points to Newton Democrat Barney Frank in the 2010 election, Republican Sean Bielat thinks a second try in 2012 will pay off.
11th Plymouth District State Representative (Precincts 1-5)
Democratic Candidates:
Claire Cronin: Cronin is a Brockton native and Easton resident who currently serves as a mediator. She hopes to bring that experience to Beacon Hill in order to bring legislators and constituents together.
Republican Candidates:
Dan Murphy: Murphy is a Selectman in Easton who was recently re-elected to a second term. The only Republican in the race, he hopes to make an impact in the General Election. More important than political party, he said he could represent the district well.
Third Bristol District State Representative (Precinct 6)
Democratic Candidates:
Sherry Costa-Hanlon: Costa-Hanlon serves as a City Councilor for in Taunton since 2008. She has been a lawyer in the Silver City for 20 years and touts economic growth as one of her main issues.
Republican Candidates:
Shaunna O'Connell: O'Connell, of Taunton, has been a State Rep since 2009. On her website, the self-proclaimed "concerned mom" said there are two things you should know about her right away: she's not a politician and not a lawyer.
Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth State Senate (Precincts 3-6)
Democratic Candidates:
Brian A. Joyce: Joyce, of Milton, has served in the State Senate since 1998. He is the Senate Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, as well as the Senate Vice Chair of the Health Care Financing Committee and Vice Chair of the Financial Services Committee.
Republican Candidates:
No Republican Candidates
Second Plymouth and Bristol State Senate (Precincts 1-2)
Democratic Candidates:
Thomas Kennedy: Kennedy, of Brockton, has served in the State Senate since 2009. "My priorities have always focused on being an open, accessible and dependable legislator. I pledge to be earnest, diligent and conscientious in serving the people of the 2nd Plymouth and Bristol District," he said on his website.
Republican Candidates:
No Republican Candidates
District Two Governor's Council:
Democratic Candidates:
Robert Jubinville: Jubinville is a veteran trial lawyer who said he has been involved in more than 7,500 cases. He cited his experience in law as a means to better select judges, and said his knowledge makes him the best candidate.
Republican Candidates:
Earl Sholley: Sholley is an army veteran who ran for Congress against Barney Frank in the 4th Congressional District.
Ballot Issues
Question 1: 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.
Question 2: 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.
Question 3: 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.
Elaine Dahlgren
1:30 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
I vote strictly Republican
Sharpie
3:58 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Make a special note to watch the Free and Equal Election Debate between third party candidates for the Presidency, Gov. Gary Johnson (Libertarian) and Dr. Jill Stein (Green) to be aired tonight on Monday evening, Nov. 5th from 9:00 - 10:30 pm Eastern Time. Perform a worthwhile civic duty, and be certain to listen in on this historic debate so that you can make an informed decision on voting day. Third party candidates who will be on the ballot in most states deserve to be heard.
http://freeandequal.org/?v=1
Jody Hensley
9:30 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
Take 3 Minutes to Learn More about Question 3 at:
http://mavotenoonquestion3.com/question-3-in-3-minutes/
Question 3 is a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" warn citizens in California and Colorado where pot stores have proliferated under a law similar to the one proposed here. The language in this 6-page law includes "other conditions" which allows virtually anyone to get a marijuana recommendation for any reason. There can be 35 pot stores in the first year, but there is no upper limit in the law. This is the LEAST RESTRICTIVE marijuana law in New England. With an undefined 60-day supply, amounting to hundreds of joints, allowed on a person or in a car, theft and diversion to black market sales are inevitable. Home grow sites are already subject to criminal break-ins in neighborhoods as close as Rhode Island. And even the Obama administration has called rising levels of youth use and addiction a legitimate public health issue. There has to be a better way to be compassionate.
Please get the details before you vote. To learn about Question 3 go to: www.MaVoteNoOnQuestion3.com