Currently, America cannot agree on a lot of things such as health care, gun control, and immigration policy. However, most people are on the same page with one thing this voting season: the presidential election is out of control. With two candidates that have caused more media frenzies than all their predecessors combined, it has become easy to forget that on November 8th, a decision between Hillary and Trump is not the only detail to be considered on your ballot.
As an out-of-state college student, there are two different places I have had the pleasure of calling home: Massachusetts and California. Although voting for president is a very important part of this upcoming election season, after doing a little research, I have discovered that it is not the only thing on the ballot that will affect these two places. So before us college students head off to the polls this November, I wanted to help educate those who don’t know exactly what they are voting for.
This year, Massachusetts included four different questions on the ballot that citizens of the state can vote for. The questions are about various topics such as education and animal cruelty. As Protagoras said as far back as 485 B.C., “there are two sides to every question” and it is unfair to make a judgment for what you plan on voting on without hearing both sides.
The first question on the ballot involves the issue of whether or not the state of Massachusetts should grant the Massachusetts Gaming Commission the ability to issue an additional slots license. This appeared on the ballot when issues arose at Suffolk Downs, where businessman Eugene McCain is making his third attempt to purchase land to open a casino by the local racetrack. The first attempt failed due to legal problems, and the locals in the area disapproved the second. Those who are against the passing of this new state regulation believe that allowing an additional slot license would be unfair to gambling companies other than the future Suffolk Downs casino as they would have no way to compete for this second license and to the residents of Suffolk Downs trailer park, who would be pushed by their landlords to be removed from their homes. They argue that allowing this to pass would risk an over saturation of the regional gambling market and if the casino struggles then so would the state’s tax receipts.
However, this law could offer many benefits for the state. Those who support Question 1 argue that it could provide over $80 million in new revenue per year, $12 million that would support horse racing, and thousands of new jobs in the state. Massachusetts has never had much of a market for gambling in state so those wishing to participate in this classic pastime have been forced to put their money elsewhere. Allowing for more casinos would bring in a lot of extra money for the state. So when you’re heading to the polls, you also have to make a decision between the ethics of the Suffolk Downs casino or the finical benefits it could bring.
The next question allows Massachusetts residents to vote on whether or not the state should authorize up to twelve new charter schools or an expansion in enrollment in existing charter schools. Many people are apprehensive on whether or not additional charter schools would be beneficial. Politicians such as senator Elizabeth Warren acknowledge that charter schools have their benefits and supply an excellent education to those with the ability to attend. However, those who oppose the potential law are fearful that adding more charter schools would take away funding from low-performing public schools in the areas.
Conversely, if this is passed, then there would be several benefits: those who pushed for this option have plans to place Massachusetts charter schools, which are considered to be some of the best in the country, in poorer school districts. Studies have shown that students in these low-performing districts are more likely to succeed in school. The public charters have allowed a higher percent of students enrolled in the program to move on into higher education. An increase of these schools would make it easier for students to get into these schools and get a better education without extra cost. The choice is between, allowing for the charter schools to thrive or not risking lesser funding for the public schools.
A “yes” vote on Question 3 would make it illegal for any place in the state to sell eggs, veal, or pork of a farm animal that had been in confinement that prevented them from lying down, standing up, extending its limbs, or turning around. Those who oppose this law argue that this law could cause many issues with the price of these animal products. The law would not only prevent farmers in Massachusetts from practicing these methods but would not allow any other outside source that do to sell their product in state. Several companies in the egg industry are fearful that, because of these new regulations, they may not be able to afford continuing their business. All of these issues could make the prices of eggs and poultry increase exponentially in the supermarkets.
Despite potential finical issues, the ethical aspects of the law could outweigh any of these problems. The passing of this law would allow major headway for a better quality of life for farm animals. Scientist have done several studies that allowing these basic movements are considered necessary for a normal quality of life. But this is not the only benefit of the potential new law. Without confinement, the animals are less likely to catch diseases. This would ensure better food safety for these products. These animals would no longer be forced to horrible living conditions that affect the products we eat.
The final question is one that has become a very important topic discussed in American politics and is one of five states to be voting on the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana. This potential future law has had much controversy. The naysayers argue that legalizing the use of pot would allow for youth to have an easier access to the drug. They believe that the risks of emergency health problems and issues would be more costly than any finical benefits of finally being able to tax pot. The final main point is that although marijuana may be less harmful than alcohol, according to several studies, users of this drug are more likely to use more harmful ones later on.
Those who are pro-Question-4 believe the benefits of legalization outweigh the cons. The main argument for the legalization of marijuana is the millions of dollars the state will be able to claim by taxing the drug. Once the drug is legalized, it will be easier for the state to regulate it. Those who wish to pass the law believe that this stop dangerous underground markets and will make it a legal business that will ask for ID. Legalization means that the product would be tested and packaged so the drug would be safer. Another main argument is that the four other states that have already passed the law, particularly in Colorado, has brought many benefits for state economy. This is a question that many are divided on and it is one us voters have to take a stand on the 8th.
So much of the election is spent focusing on who will be our next commander-in-chief, but it is also important to be educated on the other issues presented on each ballot. If you are registered for another state than Massachusetts, I encourage you to do your research. After an hour on Ballotpedia.com and looking up online the different pro and con websites, I had a better understanding of the importance of staying educated on all of the issues. On November 8th, it’s just as important to be informed, as it is to go out in vote. I urge you to do both.
