By Bob Katzen
NINE BALLOT QUESTIONS: There were nine questions on the November 3 ballot for Bay State voters to approve or reject. Five were approved while four were rejected. Here are the unofficial results which still need certification by the secretary of state:
QUESTION 1 WAS APPROVED: It will make records of the legislature and the governor public records.
QUESTION 2 WAS APPROVED: It will allow employees of the committee for public counsel services (CPCS) to engage in collective bargaining with their employer. The CPCS pays for lawyers to represent indigent persons in criminal and civil cases.
QUESTION 3 WAS REJECTED: It would have eliminated political party primaries for state elections and instead establish a system where there would be a single, all-party primary in which all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, would be listed on one ballot, and voters could vote for any candidate on the ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the all-party primary would advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation.
QUESTION 4 WAS APPROVED: It will permit eligible individuals to register to vote on Election Day.
QUESTION 5 WAS REJECTED: It would have limited the amount of revenue the state can collect each year and provide that the excess amount, above that limit, be refunded to taxpayers.
QUESTION 6 WAS APPROVED: It will establish a “nature for all fund” that would receive 50% of state taxes collected from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses for the first year of its operation and 100% in subsequent years.
QUESTION 7 WAS REJECTED: It would have allowed single-family homes to be built in a residentially zoned area as long as the land on which it is to be constructed is at least 5,000 square feet and meets other conditions.
QUESTION 8 WAS REJECTED: It would have prohibited the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana.
QUESTION 9 WAS APPROVED: It will keep in place a current law which increases the regulation of firearms, including ghost guns, machine guns and assault-style weapons.