Tuesday’s General Election has no local candidates with opposition; emphasis on next governor and ballot questions

  Revere’s Election Commission Paul Fahey, MPA, said he expects a moderate turnout for Tuesday’s General Election.

  Out of approximately 30,000 registered voters, approximately 3,000 residents chose early voting.

  “Since there aren’t any local candidates with opposition, it seems that the attention will be placed on state-wide governor choices and ballot questions,” Fahey said Thursday. “Questions 1 and 4 will likely garner the most interest.”

  Democratic nominee Maura Healey, Libertarian party candidate Kevin Reed, and Republican nominee Geoff Diehl are vying for the governor’s position, looking to succeed two-term incumbent Gov. Charlie Baker, who is not seeking re-election.

  The candidates for lieutenant governor, who run on a ticket alongside gubernatorial nominees, are Kim Driscoll (Democratic Party), Leah Allen (Republican Party) and Peter Everett (Libertarian Party).

  According to the state Web site (sec.state.ma.us), Question 1 would establish an additional 4 percent state income tax on that portion of annual taxable income totaling more than $1 million. A yes vote would amend the state Constitution to impose an additional 4 percent tax on that portion of incomes more than $1 million to be used, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature, on education and transportation. A no vote would make no change in the state Constitution relative to income tax.

  Question 2 would direct the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to approve or disapprove the rates of dental benefit plans and would require that a dental insurance carrier meet an annual aggregate medical loss ratio for its covered dental benefit plans of 83 percent. A yes vote would regulate dental insurance rates, including by requiring companies to spend at least 83 percent of premiums on member dental expenses and quality improvements instead of administrative expenses, and by making other changes to dental insurance regulations. A no vote would make no change in the law relative to the regulations that apply to dental insurance companies, according to the state Web site.

  Question 3 would increase the statewide limits on the combined number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption (including licenses for “all alcoholic beverages” and for “wines and malt beverages”) that any one retailer could own or control: from 9 to 12 licenses in 2023; to 15 licenses in 2027; and to 18 licenses in 2031. A yes vote would increase the number of licenses a retailer could have for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed off premises, limit the number of “all-alcoholic beverages” licenses that a retailer could acquire, restrict use of self-checkout, and require retailers to accept customers’ out-of-state identification. A no vote would make no change in the laws governing the retail sale of alcoholic beverages, according to the state Web site.

  Question 4 would allow Massachusetts residents, who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit, if they meet all the other qualifications for a standard license or learner’s permit, including a road test and insurance, and provide proof of their identity, date of birth, and residency. A yes vote would keep in place the law, which would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or permit if they meet the other requirements for doing so. A no vote would repeal this law, according to the state Web site.

  He reminded voters to make sure to look at all four sides of the ballots, which are in English and Spanish. Voters will go to the same polling place as they did for the primary election.

  Fahey also reminded voters there are two ballots for State Representatives Jeff Turco and Jessica Giannino.