Overview of the November 8th Ballot Issues
Avi Shapira
Editor in Chief
The 2022 Massachusetts election will be held Tuesday, November 8. If you or anyone you know is eligible to vote but are unsure what all the questions on the ballot mean, this article is here to help.
What issues are on the ballot?
Overview: Massachusetts elections, 2022 – Ballotpedia
R – Republican
D – Democrat
L – Libertarian
Incumbent – the person currently holding an office who is running in order to serve another term
US House of Representatives
Andover residents are in either district 3 or district 6 of Massachusetts congressional districts. You can use this: Find your congressional district, major candidates on ballot for 2022 – Washington Post to find which district you are in by entering your address.
District 3: Lori Trahan (D, incumbent), Dean Tran (R)
District 6: Seth Moulton (D, incumbent), Robert May Jr. (R)
MA Governor
Candidates: Maura Healey (D), Geoff Diehl (R), Kevin Reed (L)
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor takes over for the governor in case they become unable to serve as governor before their term ends. The lieutenant governor is also part of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council, which provides advice to the governor and approves things such as judicial nominations.
Candidates: Kim Driscoll (D), Leah Cole Allen (R), Peter Everett (L)
Attorney General
The attorney general is the executive officer of Massachusetts. This individual is the chief law enforcement officer and lawyer, and runs the five departments of the attorney general’s office: executive, business/labor protection, government, and public protection.
Candidates: Andrea Campbell (D), James McMahon (R)
Secretary of State
The secretary of state is the head public information official of Massachusetts. They oversee historical preservation, historical records, public records, and the registry of deeds (where records of land and real estate deals are housed). They also head elections.
Candidates: William Galvin (D, incumbent), Rayla Campbell (R), Juan Sanchez (Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts — MA branch of the Green Party)
Treasurer
The treasurer invests the state’s funds and maintains the state’s budget.
Candidates: Deb Goldberg (D, incumbent), Cristina Crawford (R)
Auditor
The auditor does financial, performance, and technical audits of various state departments or other programs that are publicly funded. To audit means to look into the performance of these groups and how they spend their money. They make sure goals are being achieved and money is used responsibly.
Candidates: Diana DiZoglio (D), Anthony Amore (R), Gloria Caballero-Roca (GR), Daniel Riek (L), Dominic Giannone III (Workers Party)
Governor’s Council
The governor’s council advises the governor and approves things like judicial appointments. Each Massachusetts district gets a governor’s council. In districts 3 and 6, the districts Andover is in, there is only one candidate running for the governor’s council.
District 3 candidate: Marilyn Petitto Devaney (D)
District 6 candidate: Terrence Kennedy (D)
State Senate
Andover is in the Second Essex and Middlesex Massachusetts Senate districts.
Candidates: Barry Finegold (D, incumbent), Sal DeFranco (R)
State Legislature Representative
Andover is either in the 17th Essex district or the 18th Essex district. Find where you are using Find My Legislator (malegislature.gov).
17th Essex: Frank Moran (D, incumbent)
18th Essex: Tram Nguyen (D, incumbent), Jeffrey Dufour (R)
There are also races for Essex County Sheriff and District Attorney, but candidates in both are running unopposed.
Ballot Measures
More information:
Massachusetts Ballot Questions 2022, Explained – NBC Boston
Massachusetts 2022 ballot measures – Ballotpedia (click on the specific ballot measure)
Question #1
If this question is approved, Massachusetts taxes will be raised 4% on people who make more than $1 million a year. This money will be used to fund education, infrastructure, and public transportation.
This ballot is supported by Raise Up Massachusetts, “a coalition of labor unions, community organizations and religious groups.” You can learn more about them at raiseupma.com. This ballot is opposed by businesses and trade groups.
More resources:
MA Ballot Question 1: What to know about the proposed millionaires tax (boston.com)
Question #2
If this question is approved, dental insurance companies would have to spend at least 83% of premiums on patient care or provide refunds. Premiums are the money you pay for a specific doctor visit or operation in addition to what insurance covers. Currently, there is no threshold to what percent of premiums insurance companies have to spend on patient care. Companies that have been spending less than 83% of premiums on patient care will have to issue refunds.
This ballot measure is spearheaded by Dr. Mouhab Rizkallah, an orthodontist, and is supported by other dentists. It is opposed by the nonprofit Delta Dental and some insurance companies.
More information:
Question #3
If question 3 is approved, the number of licenses to sell alcohol a single company or individual can hold will increase from 12 to 18. Currently, a chain that has 30 locations can sell alcohol in 12, but if this passes they will be allowed to sell alcohol in 18, so this law will mostly affect larger chains. It will also make it illegal to buy alcohol using self-checkout. This question has many more complex sections, so you are encouraged to read one of the additional articles to completely understand it.
Most of the supporters are alcohol stores, led by the 21st Century Alcohol Retail Reform Committee. Food Stores for Consumer Choice, which includes various stores, opposes the measure.
More information:
MA Ballot Question 3: What you need to know about alcohol license limits (boston.com)
cSPA_alcohol_sales_at_chain_stores.pdf (tufts.edu)
Question #4
This measure will allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses, if approved. Its purpose is to make driving safer by making sure undocumented immigrants have insurance and have passed a driver’s test. The law was recently passed, but if the ballot measure is not approved the law will be repealed.
This measure is supported by public servants in the police and transportation services. It is mostly opposed by the Massachusetts Republican party.
More information:
Question 4 Massachusetts 2022: Should New Driver’s License Law Be Repealed? – NBC Boston
How can I vote in Andover?
Voter Registration
The deadline to register has already passed.
Mail-in ballots
Mail-in voting is available to all voters. You must request a mail-in ballot in person by November 1, or have your mail request received by then. You must return your ballot in person or have it received by mail by November 8.
Early Voting
Early voting is available to all voters and will take place from October 22 to November 4. Visit here for a list of hours and the location: Andover In-Person Early Voting Is Underway | Andover, MA Patch.
Election Day
Andover polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Precincts 1 and 3 will vote at the Youth Center on Whittier Court.
- Precincts 4, 4A, 5, and 6 will vote at the Wood Hill Middle School.
- Precincts 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10 will vote at the Andover High School Richard J. Collins Field House on Shawsheen Road.
You can find your precinct at: My Election Info: Search (state.ma.us)
More information: Elections | Andover, MA (andoverma.gov)
