Amherst Dems take stand on ballot questions
The Amherst Democratic Town Committee is committed to organizing Democrats on the local level and ensuring the party stands for economic and social fairness. This November, Massachusetts voters will decide nine ballot questions.
Amherst Democrats voted to take a position on all nine initiatives. We endorsed positions that we believe will make housing more affordable, protect services and the environment, and enhance transparency and voting rights. We urge voters to:
• Vote yes on Question 1 to expand the state’s public records law to include the governor’s office and state Legislature.
• Vote yes on Question 2 to allow public defenders to collectively bargain.
• Vote no on Question 3, which would replace party primaries with a “jungle primary” that favors money over grassroots and often excludes one or more parties from November ballots.
• Vote yes on Question 4 to allow eligible individuals to register to vote or update their address on Election Day, ensuring anyone who is eligible can participate.
• Vote no on Question 5, which would change the limit on state revenue collection, putting at risk funding for schools, roads, and other critical needs.
• Vote yes on Question 6 to create a conservation fund with a portion of sales tax revenue.
• Vote yes on Question 7 to legalize building single-family homes on lots of 5,000 square feet or more.
• Vote no on Question 8, which would prohibit adult recreational-use marijuana; this would overturn legalization approved by voters in 2016.
• Vote yes on Question 9 to uphold a firearm safety law that restricts untraceable “ghost guns” and expands “red flag” laws.
We believe these endorsements reflect our belief that the people of Massachusetts deserve a home, quality education, clean water and green space, and the right to vote and join a union. We ask all voters to join us in defending precious rights and quality of life.