New England Public Radio

Voter Guide 2016

An incredibly long campaign season has come to an end. You know about Hillary and Donald. But there are important contested races in Western Massachusetts and around New England. Here’s what you need to know.

QUESTION 1: Expanded Slot-Machine Gaming
Massachusetts Ballot Question

After the March 24, 2015 MGM groundbreaking, Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International (right), looks over one of the shovels used for the ceremony, with Stephen Crosby (left), chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and Michael Mathis, president of MGM Springfield.
After the March 24, 2015 MGM Springfield groundbreaking, Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International (right), looks over one of the shovels used for the ceremony. (Mark M. Murray for The Republican)

To permit the state Gaming Commission to license one additional slot-machine gaming establishment at a location that meets certain conditions specified in the law.

SUMMARY from the Secretary of the Commonwealth

CAMPAIGN FUNDING via the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

QUESTION 2: Charter School Expansion
Massachusetts Ballot Question

Students at Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield.
Students at Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield. (Michael S. Gordon for The Republican)

To allow for up to 12 approvals each year of either new charter schools or expanded enrollments in existing charter schools, but not to exceed 1 percent of the statewide public school enrollment.

SUMMARY from the Secretary of the Commonwealth

CAMPAIGN FUNDING via the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

QUESTION 3: Conditions for Farm Animals
Massachusetts Ballot Question

Cornish hen chicks at the Diemand Egg Farm in Wendell, Mass.
Cornish hen chicks at the Diemand Egg Farm in Wendell, Mass. (The Republican file photo)

To prohibit any confinement of pigs, calves, and hens that prevents them from lying down, standing up, fully extending their limbs or turning around freely.

SUMMARY from the Secretary of the Commonwealth

CAMPAIGN FUNDING via the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

QUESTION 4: Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana
Massachusetts Ballot Question

At a medical marijuana grow facility in Franklin, Mass., trimmers cut the leaves off the stalks, leaving only the buds. (Alden Bourne for NEPR)
At a medical marijuana grow facility in Franklin, Mass., trimmers cut the leaves off the stalks, leaving only the buds. (Alden Bourne for NEPR)

To allow persons 21 and older to possess, use, and transfer marijuana and products containing marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts, and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products.

SUMMARY from the Secretary of the Commonwealth

CAMPAIGN FUNDING via the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

CONGRESS — 1ST DISTRICT

Congressman Richard Neal and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Museum of Springfield History on Feb. 29, 2016.
Congressman Richard Neal and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Museum of Springfield History on Feb. 29, 2016. (Dave Roback for The Republican)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Fredereick O. Mayock (IND)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Richard E. Neal (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Thomas T. Simmons (LIB)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

SHERIFF — HAMPDEN COUNTY

One of the housing towers the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow.
One of the housing towers the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow. (Dave Roback for The Republican)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Nick Cocchi (DEM)|Website|Facebook|Donors|John M. Comerford (REP)||Facebook|Donors|James L. Gill, Jr. (IND)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

SHERIFF — HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Patrick J. Cahillane (DEM)|Website|Facebook|Donors|David F. Isakson (REP)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

STATE SENATE — BERKSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN & HAMPDEN

Republican Christine Canning and Democrat Adam Hinds debate each other at Berkshire Community College.
Republican Christine Canning and Democrat Adam Hinds debate each other at Berkshire Community College. (Adam Frenier for NEPR)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Christine M. Canning (REP)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Adam G. Hinds (DEM)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

STATE SENATE — FIRST HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE

Republican Chip Harrington and Democrat Eric Lesser at a Focus Springfield TV debate. Both are running for the First Hampden and Hampshire County State Senate seat.
Republican Chip Harrington and Democrat Eric Lesser at a Focus Springfield TV debate. Both are running for the First Hampden and Hampshire County State Senate seat. (Focus Springfield TV)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]James Chip Harrington (REP)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Eric Lesser (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

STATE SENATE — SECOND HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE

Incumbent state Sen. Don Humason, R-Westfield, is up against challenger J.D. Parker-O'Grady, a Democrat from Southampton, in the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire Senate District race.
Incumbent state Sen. Don Humason, R-Westfield, is up against challenger J.D. Parker-O’Grady, a Democrat from Southampton, in the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire Senate District race. (MassLive)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Donald F. Humason, Jr. (REP)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Jerome Parker-O’Grady (DEM)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

STATE SENATE — HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN & WORCESTER

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Stanley C. Rosenberg (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Donald Peltier (REP)|Website||Donors[/gttable]

STATE SENATE — WORCESTER, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE & MIDDLESEX

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Anne M. Gobi (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|James P. Ehrhard (REP)|Website||Donors[/gttable]

STATE HOUSE — THIRD BERKSHIRE

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Pittsfield City Councilor Chris Connell square off in a debate at Berkshire Community College.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Pittsfield City Councilor Chris Connell square off in a debate at Berkshire Community College. (Adam Frenier for NEPR)

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Tricia Farley-Bouvier (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Christopher J. Connell (IND)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

 STATE HOUSE — THIRD HAMPDEN

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Nicholas A. Boldyga (REP)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Rosemary Sandlin (DEM)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

STATE HOUSE — NINTH HAMPDEN

[gttable cols=”Candidate,Campaign,,Who Gave”]Jose F. Tosado (DEM)(i)|Website|Facebook|Donors|Robert J. Underwood (IND)|Website|Facebook|Donors[/gttable]

AROUND NEW ENGLAND

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (right), Republican of New Hampshire, is seeking re-election is 2016 against Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan.
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (right), Republican of New Hampshire, is seeking re-election is 2016 against Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan. (Allegra Boverman for NHPR)

There are big statewide races around the region. Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut are electing U.S. senators. Vermont and New Hampshire have open contests for governor. Get the details from our partner stations in the New England News Collaborative:

Connecticut: WSHU and WNPR

Maine: MPBN

Eastern Massachusetts: WBUR

New Hampshire: NHPR

Rhode Island: RIPR

Vermont: VPR

Incumbents running for another term are marked with an “i.”