Thursday, November 2, 2000 Older Editions

Decision: Your next president - and more

By Adam Groff

Andover residents have a number of important decisions to make on Nov. 7.

Although all of the races for state offices in Massachusetts and one race for U.S. Congress are uncontested, citizens must decide on eight ballot questions, and, of course, they must choose a president, a vice president, and U.S. senator.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Precincts 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will vote at the Andover High School field house, while Precincts 1, 3 and 8 will vote at the Andover Senior Center on Whittier Court.

On the Democratic ticket for president and vice president are Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, and, for the Republicans, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. The race has been too close to call for many weeks now, although in recent weeks Bush has shown a slight lead in the polls, usually (though not always) within the margin of error.

Outside the two major parties, there are four other tickets, including the Green Party duo of consumer activist Ralph Nader and Native American activist Winona LaDuke.

Challenging Democrat Ted Kennedy for his U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts are Libertarian candidate Carla Howell, Republican candidate Jack E. Robinson III, Unenrolled candidate Dale Friedgen, Timesizing Not Downsizing candidate Philip Hyde III, and Constitution Party candidate Philip Lawler.

Of the eight Massachusetts ballot questions, the first two are proposed amendments to the constitution, and the last six are laws proposed by initiative petition.

The first question regards how soon the results of the most recent federal census can be used in state redistricting. The proposed amendment would allow census data to be used two years after the census rather than the current four years. Thus, approving Question 1 will allow the state to apply the most recent census data in redistricting for the 2002 state elections. The state legislature voted unanimously on June 28 to approve this measure.

Question 2 proposes to limit the voting rights of incarcerated felons. The proposed amendment would prevent such persons from voting for U.S. senator or congressional representative, as well as governor, lieutenant governor, state senator, state representative, and various other state offices. The legislature most recently approved this measure on June 28 by a vote of 144 to 45.

Question 3 proposes a law banning dog racing, or greyhound racing, in Massachusetts as a form of gambling, with a penalty of not less than $20,000 for violators. Supporters of this measure include the Animal Rescue League and the MSPCA. Those against the ban note that the racing is regulated and "no violations of animal welfare regulations have been documented" in the state.

Question 4 is a measure that has attracted a great deal of attention, because it proposes to roll back the state income tax from the current 5.85 percent to 5 percent in steps over three years. Advocates of this measure say it merely keeps a promise made to the citizens of Massachusetts by the legislature when it raised the rate above 5 percent in 1989. Opponents say a tax rollback would jeopardize the state's goals for education, health care, and the economy. (See sidebar, page 17.)

Question 5 pursues the goal of comprehensive health-care coverage for all Massachusetts residents. In particular, it provides for what is essentially a Massachusetts patients' bill of rights. The new law would require health-insurance carriers to provide certain rights to patients and providers, such as the right of a patient to choose his or her own health-care provider, and the right of providers to prescribe the care that they deem necessary. In addition, the law would prohibit the conversion of non-profit hospitals, HMOs, and health insurers into for-profit entities until the goal of universal coverage is reached. A state Health Care Council would be set up to achieve these ends.

In contrast to fundraising efforts for and against the other ballot questions, there is a sizable disparity in the amount of money raised on both sides of Question 5. According to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, as of October 15, the two coalitions opposing Question 5, the Coalition for Health Care and Vote For Health: Yes on 5 have raised a total of $137,215 and spent $123,006. In contrast, the No on 5 Coalition has raised $1,393,607 and spent $864,101.

Question 6 is tied to Question 4 in the minds of many people, as it also has to do with reducing the tax burden. This law would refund Massachusetts tolls and motor-vehicle excise taxes in the form of a personal income tax credit for individuals and a corporate excise tax credit for corporations whose employees pay tolls on company time.

Also tax-related is Question 7, which provides for a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Massachusetts is one of eight states that does not already allow such a deduction, and ranks close to the bottom in charitable giving, according to the measure's supporters. Sen. Michael Worrissey argues that the change would create a loophole for the rich.

Lastly, Question 8 would change state laws to divert money collected from fines paid and property forfeited in connection with drug crimes into a proposed Drug Treatment Trust Fund. Currently, the money is divided between prosecutors and police departments. The measure is part of an apparent effort to shift the emphasis in the state's drug strategy from imprisonment to treatment for lesser drug offenders.

The state legislature has not taken a position on Questions 3 through 8.

According to Maria Bartlett, president of the League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover, the state LWV has taken the following positions on five of the eight ballot questions:

Question 2, No; Question 4, No; Question 5, Yes; Question 6, No; Question 8, Yes.

Questions about the league's positions can be directed to their office at (617) 523-2999, or to Bartlett by email at jbbmkb@mediaone.net.

Uncontested races in the eight Andover precincts are as follows: Representative in Congress, Martin T. Meehan; Councillor, Mary-Ellen Manning; Senator in General Court, Susan Tucker; Representative in General Court for all but the fifth precinct, Barry Finegold; Representative in General Court for the fifth precinct, David Nangle; Clerk of Courts, Thomas Driscoll Jr.; Register of Deeds, Thomas Burke. All of these candidates are Democrats.

Presidential race

Joining Bush, Gore and Nader in the presidential election are several other candidates.

Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan and Los Angeles educator Ezola Foster are running with the Reform Party.

Also on the Massachusetts ballot for U.S. president and vice president are Harry Browne and Art Olivier with the Libertarian Party. Finally, John Hagelin and Mike Tompkins appear on the ballot as Unenrolled. However, Hagelin's campaign Web site shows his current running mate as Nat Goldhaber, and their party is described as the Natural Law Party/Independent Party Coalition.

Voting in town

The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Monday, Nov. 6, at noon.

Residents with questions may call the town clerk's office at 623-8200.