We all know about the race for president of the United States of America, but maybe you don't know about the local elections. So let's go through the candidates, questions and where to vote.
If you haven't voted already and are registered to vote polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Click here to find out from the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
There are five ballot questions for Bostonians for vote on, as well as state and federal legislature races.
Ballot Question 1 is about allowing gambling slot machines. If approved ballot Question 1 would "allow the state Gaming Commission to issue one additional category 2 license, which would permit operation of a gaming establishment with no table games and not more than 1,250 slot machines." There would be no change to gambling laws if Question 1 is voted down. Click here for more info about Question 1.
Ballot Question 2 is a proposed law that "would allow up to 12 approvals each year of either new charter schools or expanded enrollments in existing charter schools, but not to exceed 1% of the statewide public school enrollment." Click here for a video of Chang-Diaz, the state's Education Committee chair speaking about the question. There would be no changes to current laws about charter schools if Question 2 fails. Click here for more info about Question 2.
Ballot Question 3 is about farm animals and if approved it "would prohibit any confinement of pigs, calves, and hens that prevents them from lying down, standing up, fully extending their limbs, or turning around freely." Click here for an op-ed from the president of the MPSCA on Question 3. Click here for more info about Question 3.
Ballot Question 4 is about legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Click here for more info about Question 4.
Ballot Question 5 asks Bostonians whether they want to adopt the Community Preservation Act. The Community Preservation Act would establish a dedicated community fund for affordable housing, create and rehabilitate parks, playgrounds and athletic fields, preserve land for recreational and conservation areas and preserve historic buildings. Click here for an op-ed by District 4 City Councilor Andrea Campbell in support of the Community Preservation Act.
In the political races incumbent State Rep. Liz Malia (D-11th Suffolk District) will face independent challenger Stephen Bedell.
State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-2nd Suffolk) is unopposed in November’s election, as is State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez (D-15th Suffolk District). Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is also unopposed.
Congressmen Stephen Lynch, D-8th, and Mike Capuano, D-7th, were unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Lynch will face Republican challenger William Burke.
There is a four-person race for Suffolk County Register of Deeds with Democrat Stephen Murphy, and independents Joseph Donnelly, Jr., Margherita Ciampa-Coyne and John Keith.
Incumbent Democratic Governor’s Councilor Chris Iannella, Jr. of Jamaica Plain retained his District 4 seat in September, and is unopposed.