tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post116299050235487998..comments2023-10-02T04:41:34.722-04:00Comments on Marry in Massachusetts: Mass Ballot Questions -- Slow Downmassmarrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02358207247771711952noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-1163019536660827982006-11-08T15:58:00.000-05:002006-11-08T15:58:00.000-05:00Well, Jeff, that's not convincing to me. Confusing...Well, Jeff, that's not convincing to me. Confusing is four pages of mind-numbing ballot questions, as we just had. <BR/><BR/>Having a list of, say, all the gubernatorial candidates, and a dupe or even a triplet would require a minimum of explanation, either before the election or on the ballot. <BR/><BR/>It's not a problem in New York State and elsewhere. I think our voters are at least as capable.massmarrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02358207247771711952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-1163017865451251252006-11-08T15:31:00.000-05:002006-11-08T15:31:00.000-05:00What's wrong with saying fusion voting would make ...What's wrong with saying fusion voting would make ballots confusing? It WOULD make ballots confusing -- a candidate's name would appear in more than one spot for the same office. That's confusing. If you make the natural assumption that you should check all the spots your candidate's name appears you get your ballot disqualified for your trouble.<BR/><BR/>I think the law as proposed in Massachusetts tries to solve that problem by declaring that two votes for the same candidate in the same race will be counted as one but not apportioned to any party. Thus, your election results will say: Deval Patrick (Dem) XXX, Deval Patrick (Green) XXX, Deval Patrick (SomeOtherParty) XXX, Deval Patrick (generic) XXX.<BR/><BR/>Dear God. Spare us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703913.post-1162994205241667582006-11-08T08:56:00.000-05:002006-11-08T08:56:00.000-05:00My take on the questions:Q1: People don't mind the...My take on the questions:<BR/><BR/>Q1: People don't mind the idea of selling wine in Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods. But the Massachusetts Food Association overreached, proposing to create far more new licenses than there are supermarkets, and defining a "food store" so loosely that most 7-Elevens and Gulf stations would qualify. Voters didn't want that.<BR/><BR/>Q2: The advocates failed to put a clear case forward why this would beneift voters.<BR/><BR/>Q3: Something that should be worked out in the legislative process, not submitted to voters.<BR/><BR/>(I voted yes on all three, with reservations.)Ron Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03482820181807248794noreply@blogger.com