WHAV Wavelengths: Haverhill Democrats Take Positions on Ballot Questions: Endorsing 6, Opposing 3

The Haverhill Democratic City Committee is taking positions on all nine binding statewide ballot questions voters will decide in November.

Committee members are endorsing six questions and opposing three. In summary, it backs the expanded public records law, election day registration, conservation funding and firearms law, while opposing all-party primaries and a ban on recreational marijuana sales.

“With so much at stake in this year’s elections, we felt it was important not only to call attention to these nine ballot questions, but also to make clear where the Haverhill Democratic City Committee stands,” said William D. Cox Jr., committee chairperson. “These questions address issues that will have a real impact on people across Massachusetts, and we hope our positions will encourage voters to learn more about what is on the ballot and make informed decisions when they vote on Nov. 3.”

The Committee’s positions are yes on Question 1, Expanding the Public Records Law, making most records held by the Massachusetts Legislature and governor’s office subject to the state’s Public Records Law; yes on Question 2, giving employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, which provides public defenders and other court-appointed attorneys, collective bargaining rights under state law; and no on Question 3, which would replace the current party-primary system for state elections with an all-party primary in which candidates would appear on a single ballot and the top two finishers would advance to the general election regardless of party.

In addition, Haverhill Democrats urge voting yes on Question 4, allowing eligible Massachusetts residents to register to vote at their polling place on election day upon providing required proof of residency; no on Question 5, which would include revenue from the state’s 4% surtax on income over $1 million when calculating whether the state has exceeded the tax revenue limit established by Chapter 62F; and yes on Question 6, which would establish a dedicated “Nature for All Fund,” directing a portion of sales taxes on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses toward conservation, parks, trails, drinking-water protection and other environmental purposes.

Finally, the Committee recommends yes on Question 7, which would change state zoning law to generally permit single-family homes on lots of at least 5,000 square feet with at least 50 feet of frontage where public water and sewer are available; no Question 8, which if passed would repeal major portions of the law permitting licensed recreational marijuana sales and commercial production while leaving the state’s medical marijuana program in place; and yes on Question 9, which would keep the state’s 2024 firearms law, which includes provisions concerning firearm registration, ghost guns, assault-style firearms, firearms safety certification and Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

In summary, the Committee voted at its Sept. 28 meeting to urge voting yes on questions 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 and no on questions 3, 5 and 8.

With an unprecedented number of statewide questions before voters this year, the Committee said, it encourages Haverhill residents to become familiar with each proposal and the changes each would make to Massachusetts law before casting their ballots on Tuesday, Nov 3.

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