|
|
League of Women Voters 2008 General Election
Voters’ Guide For Anne Arundel County |
President and Vice President of the United States
Representative in Congress – The Office
Representative in Congress – District 1
Representative in Congress – District 2
Representative in Congress – District 3
Representative in Congress – District 5
Judge of the Circuit Court – The Office
Judge of the Circuit Court – Circuit 5
Judge of the Court of Special Appeals At Large
Board of Education – Anne Arundel County
State Constitutional Amendments
Local Ballot Questions – Anne Arundel
|
Miscellaneous Voting Information ·
POLLS are OPEN 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. ·
EMERGENCY ABSENTEE BALLOTS may be obtained at your local Board of
Elections office in the 7 days prior to and on election day. You may fill out the application form,
obtain the absentee ballot and VOTE in one visit. ·
POLLING PLACES are usually less crowded between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. Try voting on your lunch hour. (Located at the end of this
document) |
PRESIDENT AND
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
|
About the
Office SALARY: $400,000 per year TERM: Four years.
Limit of two terms. HOW
ELECTED: Every four
years political parties nominate candidates to run for President of the
United States in a general election that is held on the first Tuesday in
November of years divisible by the number four. Although the parties use conventions to
nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican
parties also run state-wide primary elections. The results of the primary influence how
the delegates to their respective party’s convention will cast ballots for
candidates for President. The degree
to which the result of the primary election influences the votes of delegates
at conventions varies from state to state. DUTIES: The President is the head of state of the
United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander
in Chief of all military forces. The
powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal
law. The President appoints the
members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations,
Supreme Court Justices and federal judges subject to Senate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and
its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also
recommend legislation to the United States Congress. |
|
Questions asked candidates for President: The
League of Women Voters of the United States posed questions to the candidates
for President in accordance with the following criteria: ·
All qualified presidential
candidates were invited to provide biographical information and responses to
five issue specific questions. Candidates were qualified if they met the
following criteria: 1) the candidate must have made a public announcement of
her/his intention to run for President; 2) the candidate must qualify for the
ballot in enough states to win a majority of electoral votes; and 3) the
candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act's minimum
contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based
on the most recent data publicly available on the FEC Web site as of August
8, 2008. ·
Responses were limited to 50
words and truncated after the 50th word. ·
Additional information on
presidential candidates is available on the League's voter information Web
site, www.VOTE411.org. In Maryland Write-in candidates are
allowed to file, after spending $50.00 in pursuit of the office, until seven
days prior to the election. If they
file as write-ins, their names will be posted in each polling place on
Election Day and votes for them will be counted. Their names will NOT be on any ballots. BIOGRAPHY: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal
government should do to control global climate change? COST
OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the
federal level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care? ECONOMIC DISPARITY: What,
if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic
disparity between the middleclass and the well-to-do? EDUCATION:
What, if anything, should the federal
government do to create the world's best educational system for all children
in America? U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What
should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and
China? The responses to these questions
are copyrighted by the League of Women Voters of the United States. |
Vote for One:
Barack Obama (Illinois) -- Joe Biden (Delaware)
Party: Democratic
Website: www.barackobama.com
BIOGRAPHY: Obama began his career as a
community organizer on Chicago’s South Side and headed a voter registration
drive. Obama practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law. He
served eight years in the State Senate before his election to the U.S. Senate.
He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I believe the
federal government should pursue multiple paths to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and address the threat of global climate change, including
implementing aggressive cap and trade requirements to reduce U.S. emissions by
80% from 1990 levels and investing heavily in clean energy and advanced vehicle
technologies.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: My
healthcare plan will make aggressive investments in cost-cutting technologies
and will place more focus on prevention and chronic care management. The net
result will be to bring down the costs of healthcare spending by $2,500 for a
typical family, annually, and lower the expense of Medicare’s services.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: I will cut taxes
for the middle class and roll back some of the Bush tax cuts for those making
over $250,000 to restore fairness to the tax code. I will make long term public
investments in R&D, clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing to
create millions of good-paying jobs.
EDUCATION: I will
strengthen public schools by expanding early childhood education, reforming and
funding No Child Left Behind, recruiting and rewarding high-quality teachers, and
expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities. I will create a $4,000
American Opportunity Tax Credit and expand financial aid to make higher
education affordable for all.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: We must
enhance our abilities both to collaborate and compete with China, while being
vigilant about China’s military modernization and respect for human rights. As
we seek a future of clear-eyed engagement with Russia, we must ensure Russia
acts as a force for progress, not regression to past conflicts.
John McCain
(Arizona) -- Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Party: Republican
Website: www.johnmccain.com
BIOGRAPHY: John McCain graduated from the
Naval Academy and served for 22 years as a naval aviator. He was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1982 and the Senate in 1986.
He has served as chairman of the Commerce Committee and ranking member
of the Armed Services Committee.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I support
developing a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by
2050, providing tax credits for alternative energy, promoting zero-carbon
nuclear power, reducing the federal government’s carbon footprint, funding research
into clean-coal technology, and offering incentives for America’s automobile
industry to develop electric cars.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Under
my plan, American families will receive $5,000 tax credits to purchase
insurance, either through employers or the private market––insurance that can
follow them if they change jobs or leave the workforce. I will work for reforms to lower costs and
provide coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: We must spur
growth, create jobs, improve educational attainment, and enhance financial
security. My plan will keep income and
payroll taxes low, reduce the price of gas, double the dependent exemption,
bring down health-care costs, give deserving homeowners new fixed mortgages,
slash our high business taxes, and expand trade.
EDUCATION: Our education
system must focus on standards, accountability, and choice. My plan calls for recruiting highly qualified
teachers in the neediest communities, empowering parents to choose the best
schools for their children, expanding online educational opportunities,
providing low-income families with access to tutors, and funding professional
development for teachers.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: As President,
I will work to establish good relations with other nations. At the same time, I will stand up for
democratic values and human rights, and I will oppose aggression and
Cynthia
McKinney (California) -- Rosa Clemente (North Carolina)
Party: Green
Website: www.mckinney2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Bob Barr (Georgia) -- Wayne A. Root
(Nevada)
Party: Libertarian
Website: www.bobbarr2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Ralph Nader
(Connecticut) -- Matt Gonzalez (California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.votenader.org
BIOGRAPHY: Attorney, author, and consumer
advocate, named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential
Americans in the 20th Century."
Over 4 decades of public service. Helped establish the OSHA, EPA,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Motor Vehicle
Safety Act, and Freedom of Information Act.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: The government
should stop subsidizing fossil fuels: oil, electric and coal mining interests.
Invest in renewable energy that is efficient, sustainable, and environmentally
friendly: wind and solar power. Encourage more efficient automobiles, homes and
businesses. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Create an independent Oceanic Protection
Agency. Adopt a carbon pollution tax.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Adopt
a private delivery, free choice of hospital and doctor, single payer public
health insurance system. This would save $350 billion annually by eliminating
exorbitant executive pay, advertising, computerized billing fraud and abuse,
and apply those savings to comprehensively cover everyone without increasing
taxpayer costs. Lower costs through bulk purchasing.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: Unfair
legislation allows the middle class to suffer while the rich entrench their
status. To correct this we should enact a living $10 wage, adopt a fair
tax, and provide equal pay for women. We
must end corporate subsidies and bailouts. Repeal NAFTA and the anti-union
Taft/Hartley Law.
EDUCATION:
Increase
civic education and decrease standardized testing. Repeal “No Child Left
Behind” Act. Do not tie test performance to school funding. Provide full
funding for pre-school and nutrition
programs. Get product marketing out of the schools. Ensure that the nation's
crumbling schools are repaired within 3 years.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: The US should
be a humanitarian superpower. Our foreign policy must redefine global security,
peace, arms control, an end to nuclear weapons and expand the many assets of
our country to assist with major initiatives against global infectious
diseases. Stop support of foreign dictators. Human rights come before trade,
profit.
Chuck Baldwin
(Florida) -- Darrell L. Castle (Tennessee)
Party: Constitution
Website: www.baldwin08.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FILED IN MARYLAND:
Donald K. Allen
(Ohio)
Party: Unaffiliated
Website: www.donaldkallenforpresident.com
Lawson Mitchell
Bone (Tennessee)
Party: Independent
Theodis (Ted)
Brown, Sr. (Missouri)
Party: Independent
James D.
Criveau (Virginia)
Party: Non_Partisan
RaeDeen R.
Heupel (Montana)
Party: Independent
Website: www.raedeen.com/
Ronald G. Hobbs
(Pennsylvania)
Party: Independent
Keith Russell
Judd (Texas)
Party: Non-Partisan
Frank Moore
(California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.frankmooreforpresident08.com
Lynne A. Starr
(Florida)
Party: Independent
Blaine Taylor
(Maryland)
Party: Democratic
|
About the U.S. House of Representatives: SALARY: $169,300 per year. TERM: Two years, no term limit. HOW ELECTED: The United
States is divided into 435 Congressional Districts that are reapportioned
after every decennial census. All seats in the House of Representatives are
up for election in every even-numbered year. DUTIES: Representatives share
responsibility with Senators for enactment of the nation’s laws as provided
for in the U.S. Constitution. |
|
Questions asked candidates for
Representative in Congress: BACKGROUND: What are your
qualifications for this office? IMMIGRATION: What changes, if
any, do you support in regard to immigration policy? CLIMATE CHANGE:
Describe Federal legislation you
would support to address global climate changes. ECONOMY:
Identify a major challenge to the U.S. economy and how Congress should address it. EDUCATION: What are your
views on the No Child Left Behind legislation? HEALTH CARE: What plans need to be put into place to meet
the country’s health care needs? NATIONAL SECURITY: Identify a national security issue and how
Congress should address it. |
Vote for no more than one
candidate.
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 1
Frank M.
Kratovil, Jr.
Party: Democratic
Website:
www.kratovil.com
BACKGROUND: As a State’s Attorney for Queen Anne’s
County, I fight every day to protect our families. As President of the Maryland State’s
Attorney’s Association, I’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to
fight for better public safety laws in Annapolis. I’ll take that same approach in Washington.
IMMIGRATION: I favor stricter enforcement
of our immigration laws, and I firmly oppose granting benefits to anyone who is
not in this country legally. We need to
secure our borders, fix the legal immigration process, and give employers a
more efficient way to verify their employees’ immigration status.
CLIMATE CHANGE: I support
the use of market-based mechanisms like permit auctions or cap-and-trade
programs to reduce the greenhouse emissions from power plants and other
polluters. Climate change is a critical
issue, particularly for the low-lying coastal areas on the Eastern Shore.
ECONOMY: Reducing the deficit must be
a top economic priority. Our
out-of-control spending has weakened the dollar. Congress needs to cure its addiction to
deficit spending by enacting strict pay-as-you-go rules, balancing the budget,
and reforming the broken earmark process.
Fighting against wasteful spending will be one of my top priorities.
EDUCATION: No Child Left Behind has failed because of
lack of funding and an overemphasis on standardized tests. Real accountability requires us to look at
more than just a single test score. We
need to reform NCLB and define a more comprehensive standard to measure student
achievement.
HEALTH CARE: There’s
no silver bullet to our current health care crisis. To achieve a goal of universal coverage,
we’ll need a comprehensive approach that includes an expansion of programs for
children’s coverage, incentives for small businesses who offer coverage to
employees, and cost-reduction programs to slow medical inflation.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Our
over-reliance on Middle East oil is a critical national security issue. The answer is a combination of more domestic
oil production, increased efficiency standards for cars and buildings, and significant
investments in renewable and alternative energies like wind, solar, and
biofuels. Only a balanced plan will
achieve our goals.
Andy Harris
Party: Republican
Website:
www.andyharris.com
BACKGROUND: As a physician at Johns Hopkins, I understand
how to address rising healthcare costs. As a veteran of Operation Desert Storm,
I understand the threat our nation faces. As a State Senator, I have the
experience to be ready to serve in the US Congress on day one.
IMMIGRATION: I oppose all forms of
amnesty for illegal immigrants. The United States must give businesses the
tools they need to know if the people they are hiring are legal residents. The
United States needs to match the number of temporary work visas with need for
these workers in our economy.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The
United States needs to take common sense solutions to address climate change
without hurting the economy. With rising energy prices, the United States must
develop a comprehensive energy policy that includes greater production of oil
and natural gas, conservation, and developing the next generation of
alternative energy technology.
ECONOMY: The
United States must lower taxes and decrease wasteful government spending to
stimulate economic growth. Rising energy costs are hurting the economy. The
United States must develop a comprehensive energy policy including greater
production of oil and natural gas, conservation, and developing the next
generation of alternative energy technology.
EDUCATION: As a father of five and a teacher at Johns
Hopkins, I understand the value of education. The best decisions on education,
with the input of teachers and parents, are made at the local level, not by a
bureaucrat in Washington. We need to prepare
our children to compete in…
HEALTH CARE: As
a physician for over 25 years at Johns Hopkins, I look forward to addressing
rising healthcare costs. We need to make healthcare more accessible and
affordable to all Americans. Tort reform will bring the cost of healthcare
down, and attract more physicians to our rural areas.
NATIONAL SECURITY: As
a Commander in the US Naval Reserve and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, I
understand the grave threat our nation faces from terrorism. I will continue to
support a strong and effective military that adjusts to the threats of the 21st
century. I have always fought to expand…
Richard James
Davis
Party: Libertarian
BACKGROUND: I run my own business
(dental practice), I have read extensively in American history and some in
economics, and I have read (and believe I understand) the United States
Constitution.
IMMIGRATION: I support a thorough review
of immigration requirements and might consider then consider increased legal
immigration. I support stricter enforcement of laws regarding illegal
immigration. I would require thorough evaluation of prospective immigrants and
would have a strict and simple deportation policy for any lawbreakers prior to
citizenship status.
CLIMATE CHANGE: I do not support federal
legislation regarding climate change beyond a possible tax on excess energy
consumption (which would need to be defined). I feel information is
insufficient as to exactly what changes are taking place and why and where
those changes will actually lead cannot yet be accurately predicted.
ECONOMY: The major challenge is governmental and individual
debt. Government spending must be drastically reduced and all taxation on
savings and investment should be eliminated. With reduced government spending,
any taxation should be on EXCESS consumption (including energy), with generous
allowance for individual needs for food, clothing, shelter and energy.
EDUCATION: I believe education should
be controlled at local levels, mainly town and county, with minimal involvement
at state level and essentially none at federal level beyond the service
academies. If other pressing national needs are identified, student loan
subsidy/deferment/repayment programs could serve as incentives.
HEALTH CARE: There should be tax exemptions for health care
expenses and for health insurance, especially true insurance for catastrophic
health events. Actual government involvement should be limited to public health
measures that can be clearly shown to prevent (or at least limit) the spread of
communicable disease.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Legal immigrants should be
more thoroughly screened and illegal immigration should be more thoroughly
addressed. There should be more effective enforcement of rules for visitors
violating any visa regulations (including overstaying time allowed), with more
rapid and efficient apprehension and deportation of violators.
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 2
C. A. Dutch
Ruppersberger
Party: Democratic
Website: www.DutchforCongress.com
BIOGRAPHY: I
am home grown Baltimore. I went to City
College, the University of Maryland, and the University of Baltimore Law
School. For 25 years, I represented
Baltimore County as a prosecutor, Councilman, and County Executive. Now I am serving my third term in Congress
fighting for Maryland families.
IMMIGRATION: I
do not support illegal immigration. We
must make our nation’s borders more secure.
In Congress, I introduced legislation that hires 10,000 new border
patrol agents over the next five years.
I believe immigrants must learn English, learn the laws of our land, and
follow the requirements already in place ….
CLIMATE CHANGE: In Congress, I advocate for
environmental policies that will protect our world for future generations. We must conserve our resources and promote
long term innovative solutions to our energy needs. I sponsored legislation in 2005 energy bill
that extends the tax credit for Americans who purchase hybrid vehicles to
$4,000.
ECONOMY:
Families are facing record gas prices, rising college tuition payments,
skyrocketing health care costs, and declining property values. In Congress, I am working to increase the development
of alternative fuels, decrease our dependence on foreign oil, expand financial
aid opportunities, increase access to affordable health care, and stabilize
neighborhoods …..
EDUCATION: Every child in our country deserves a quality
education. The problem with “No Child
Left Behind (NCLB)” is it is not adequately funded. I believe the federal government must fully
fund NCLB so states can afford to modernize schools, retain top notch teachers,
and reduce class sizes.
HEALTH CARE:
High-quality affordable health care is out of reach for millions of
Marylanders. We must expand access to
affordable health care by offering tax credits to businesses that offer health
insurance to employees, reduce frivolous lawsuits that drive up rates, invest
in medical technologies that save lives and dollars, and protect…..
NATIONAL SECURITY:
Good intelligence is the best defense against terrorism. As Chairman of the Technical and Tactical
Intelligence Subcommittee that oversees the National Security Agency at Fort
Meade, I believe we must give our intelligence workers the resources they need
to do their jobs and keep our country safe.
Richard Pryce
Matthews
Party: Republican
Website: www.RichardMatthews.org
BIOGRAPHY: I have the
experience of a father, husband, mortgage payer, simply an average American
trying to make ends meet in the real economy. By trade I am a computer
systems engineer and have working on many prestigious projects, including the
systems for the 2004 G8 Summit in Sea Island Georgia.
IMMIGRATION: Illegal immigration can only be addressed
once our open borders are secure. A society with open borders and social
entitlements is setup for failure.
CLIMATE CHANGE: I will work to prevent overarching
unconstitutional Federal control of our environmental standards. Whether
working to prevent a unsafe LNG facility at Sparrows Point, or allowing a State
to exceed Federal EPA pollution standards, these environmental standards need
to reflect local values.
ECONOMY: Our repressive tax code to support our
ever expanding Federal Government is a terrible drag on our economy. I
support comprehensive tax reform that would scrap our current tax code and
alleviate the need for the IRS. I also would reject government subsidies
and bailouts of big business....
EDUCATION: “No Child Left Behind” takes control
away from our local school boards with mandates from afar. Our schools
need flexibility to teach to the needs and reflect the value of the local community.
Local control to schools can only come when we remove the Federal
Governments carrot to local districts.
HEALTH CARE: Health Care should be a priority of
doctors and patients, not government. With
a simplified tax code we could have a competitive market in health insurance
similar to auto insurance. People will then be able to obtain affordable
plans that are appropriate for their needs.
NATIONAL SECURITY: We have many successes in Iraq, removing
a dictator, confirming that there are not WMD’s and establishing a new
government. It is time for
Lorenzo Gaztanaga
Party: Libertarian
Website: http://www.md.lp.org/candidates
BIOGRAPHY: A Maryland Libertarian Party officer, I
worked with the Coalition for a Democratic Maryland and Marylanders for Democracy
against ballot access requirements that have kept independent and third party
candidates off the ballot for the last 25 years. I have run for Baltimore City
Council twice and for Lieutenant Governor.
IMMIGRATION: Streamline the
process for legal entry and residence and follow up on those who overstay their
visas. Politicians encourage illegal immigrants to take advantage of welfare,
when they just want to work and help their families. Ensure that social
services are available only to legal residents and citizens.
CLIMATE CHANGE: We have to
adapt, whether it's colder or warmer, and always be mindful that if I pollute
my neighbor's air, water or soil, I either have to pay to clean it or give my
neighbor the money to clean it - and then stop my nasty ways.
ECONOMY: Congress must
end the printing of fiat currency without a substantial commodity to back it
up. If our dollar were today on a par with the Euro, we would be paying, maybe
$2.20 per gallon at the pump instead of $3.99 - $4.20.
EDUCATION: Devolve the
education authority back to the parents, understanding that many parents don't
know what they're doing. This problem can be offset by applying the true
concept of village child rearing - a community of individuals working together
voluntarily to achieve the best outcome for their children, without government
involvement.
HEALTH CARE: Let America's
working people keep the most money possible in their pockets and encourage
non-profit health co-ops for the working poor and the middle class and genuine
tax-free accounts for catastrophic health situations. Study ways to provide for
the truly needy that actually help those in need.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Fight terrorists who are criminals,
who commit criminal acts. Seek them out as you would a serial killer. Don't
invade countries. (Attacking
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 3
John P.
Sarbanes
Party: Democratic
Website: www.johnsarbanes.com
BACKGROUND: Prior to my time in congress I spent two
decades in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Since elected I have
served on 3 committees including, the Education and Labor Committee, Natural
Resources Committee, and Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
IMMIGRATION: Responsible immigration reform requires
balancing America’s security with opportunity for earned citizenship. I support
a comprehensive reform strategy that strongly enforces our borders, punishes
businesses that hire outside the law, and affords a fair and structured path to
citizenship for those who abide by the rules.
CLIMATE CHANGE: Our focus has to primarily be a combination
of developing clean technology including solar and wind power, and other
renewable energy sources as well as reducing consumption. The best way to
combat climate change is to educate the next generation on good environmental
habits. This is why I introduced the No Child Left Inside act ....
ECONOMY: The most immediate challenge is the
deteriorating financial crisis which was precipitated by the sub prime mortgage
industry. Congress has already taken some steps to assist people who are in
foreclosure or facing foreclosure, while at the same time seeking to ensure
that there is enough credit liquidity in the market ..... .
EDUCATION: I believe that NCLB needs a significant
overhaul that will lesson the hyper focus and high stakes testing around math
and reading proficiency, and allow more flexibility for schools to prepare
students in all subjects. Additionally,
while important to maintain high
standards, we need sufficient resources to meet those standards. ...
HEALTH CARE: We need to move quickly and deliberately to
establish universal healthcare coverage as we work towards that we should take
immediate steps to provide adequate coverage for children, our veterans and
seniors.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Making sure that we have strong
infrastructure in our own country that will allow us to meet any challenges of
natural disasters or attacks on our country is absolutely critical. And the
democratic congress has been working very hard to strengthen those crucial infrastructures
like bridges, tunnels and highways.
Thomas E.
“Pinkston” Harris
Party: Republican
Website: None given.
BACKGROUND: Educated at Delaware State, Coppin and Johns
Hopkins Universities. Trained in
Economics at Hopkins Masters program.
Also owned health business for 20 years.
I’m an expert here.
IMMIGRATION: We should commit to rigorously enforcing the
laws already on the books. We should
secure our northern border better. Next
deny sanctuary cities federal funds. Deport all alien law breakers.
CLIMATE CHANGE: Mandate that within five years at least 25%
of all new cars and trucks powered by natural gas. It's cheaper and cleaner than oil. Expedite the building of new nuclear power
plants. Improve clean coal technology.
Invest more into alternative fuels such as wind sun and next generation
bio-fuels.
ECONOMY: Keep U.S. dollars home. Renew the Bush tax
cuts. This will give investors the
incentive to invest here. Drilling at
home and building new nuclear power plants means jobs. End capital gains to
invest in the economy.
EDUCATION: A failure. It had teachers teaching for the
test and this is not education. It led to too many teachers cheating. Education
should be localized.
HEALTH CARE: A program similar to the IRA. Individuals
place what they can afford in a tax deductable fund. These monies can be used as a deductable for
coverage in a nonprofit insurance company that handles preexisting conditions.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Our number one security issue is that we get
70% of our energy from people that hate us.
We give them billions to kill us with.
We need to become self sufficient in energy
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 5
Steny H. Hoyer
Party: Democratic
E-mail: info@hoyerforcongress.com
BACKGROUND: Since first being elected to
represent the residents of Maryland’s 5th Congressional District in the United States
Congress, I believe I have proven to be an effective, hardworking leader who
produces results. If reelected, I will continue to represent the values and
best interests of my constituents.
IMMIGRATION: Our approach to immigration
reform should be a comprehensive one. Strong border control and law
enforcement are essential parts of any effective immigration reform
measure. However, such legislation must also ensure that our businesses
have the workers they require, and provide for the responsible and fair
treatment of long-term immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The cornerstone of any
Federal legislation addressing global climate change is a national,
economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I have supported legislation to reduce these
emissions through improved automobile efficiency standards, national standards
for renewable electricity generation, public transit, and tax incentives to
increase energy efficiency.
ECONOMY: Our children and grandchildren will be forced
to pay back trillions of dollars in debt because of the fiscal irresponsibility
of the President and previous Congresses. I am committed to pay-as-you-go
rules, which require that tax cuts and new spending be paid for with savings
elsewhere in the budget.
EDUCATION: Raising academic achievement
and closing the achievement gap remain critical
goals. Unfortunately, President Bush has failed to adequately fund
the law. We must do more to ensure
adequate teacher training and support and identify schools that are having
difficulty making progress and provide them the resources they need.
HEALTH CARE: With more than 45 million Americans
uninsured, universal access to our healthcare system is among the most
important issues confronting our nation. I helped lead legislative efforts to
expand health coverage to 4 million low-income American children, ensure
continued services for Medicare beneficiaries, and lower the cost of
prescription drugs.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Our highest duty is to protect
the American people. We must eliminate
terrorists bent on attacking innocent people, target the broader network of
global terror groups, and tackle fanaticism by promoting reform, freedom, and
economic opportunity. This is not only a
war of arms, but also a war of ideas.
Collins Bailey
Party: Republican
E-mail: collinsbailey@aol.com
BACKGROUND: I have run a successful business for over 30
years. I know how to balance budgets and
cut wasteful spending. I can bring
common sense to Congress and work with anyone that has America's best interest
at heart. I have served fourteen years
on the Charles County Board of Education.
IMMIGRATION: Stop all welfare and government services for
persons here illegally. Immediate
deportation of those who threaten our society, physically secure our borders
and coastlines, enforce visa rules, no amnesty, end "anchor" baby
abuse, pass true immigration reform, no Social Security for illegal
immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The key to sound environmental policy is respect for
private property rights. The strict
enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs. I would support the Congressional Green
Scissors Coalition, a bipartisan caucus devoted to ending taxpayer subsidies of
projects that harm the environment for the benefit of special interests.
ECONOMY: The cost of gasoline. Loss of industry overseas. Run away federal spending and the huge
federal deficit are crushing our economy, devaluing the dollar and driving up
prices of everything we buy including gasoline.
Congress must balance the budget without raising taxes. And address the energy supply and demand imbalance.
EDUCATION: Increased parental options and local
educational authorities working with the parents and the teachers are what is
needed to make our schools better. I
would repeal NCLB and eliminate the Department of Education. That money can be more effectively managed at
the local level.
HEALTH CARE: Government bureaucracies cannot make choices
for an individual as well as the individual can make choices for
themselves. We need to increase consumer
driven health care options. Health care
options must address: quality, cost and availability. All decisions and government reform must
successfully cover all three of those components.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Affordable energy, out of control wasteful
government spending and partisan politics.
Our federal leaders seem unwilling or unable to address important issues
facing our nation. Because of inaction,
or wrong action, those issues have gone from: needing to be addressed, to
becoming serious challenges, to now threatening our national security.
Darlene H.
Nicholas
Party: Libertarian
E-mail: darnich@yahoo.com
BACKGROUND: State Rep run, Connecticut, 1998; Secretary of State
run, Connecticut, 2002; Eminent domain activist; NOT part of incumbent good old
boy network; BS, Chemistry; MBA; Congressional District 5 for three years;
Analyst, GDIT; Married, two sons; Life member VFW
IMMIGRATION: Stop spending billions to protect our borders
against decent people who only want a better life for their families. Change the laws to allow sufficient numbers
of peaceful, hard working immigrants to do what few Americans will, strengthen
our economy, enrich American culture, and raise our standard of living.
CLIMATE CHANGE: You can’t regulate climate change. The 2008 International Conference on Climate
Change demonstrated that the most realistic forecast for future warming was a
linear increase of about 0.17OF/decade. A libertarian society would not spend your
money on nonissues. Restitution can be a
deterrent and restorative for the environment.
ECONOMY: Democrats spend your hard-earned money on
entitlements and pork barrel schemes. We
must cease wasteful federal spending so we can pare down the national debt and
significantly increase the amount of our own money we get to keep. We need to do the same on the state level.
EDUCATION: No Child Left Behind” legislation is a fairy
tale designed to scare you into allowing more of your hard-earned dollars to be
misused to create more problems than are solved. Government schools don’t work. Put education decisions back in the hands of
the teachers and parents.
HEALTH CARE: I will work towards establishing Medical
Saving Accounts, deregulating the healthcare industry, and removing barriers to
safe, affordable medicines. The only
healthcare reforms that will make a real
difference are those that draw on the strength of the free market. Doctors will once again make house calls.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Stop our country’s nation building. We are
playing policeman in a civil war. We
have chased non-existent weapons of mass destruction instead of the terrorists
who killed nearly three thousand Americans on 9/11. We are creating more terrorists on a daily
basis because of our intervention in Iraq.
|
About the
Office: SALARY: $140,352 annual base. TERM: Fifteen years, no term limit. HOW ELECTED: When there is a vacancy, the Governor
appoints a qualified person to fill the office. Each newly appointed Circuit Judge then
must stand for election at the first election that occurs at least one year
later. The judge may be opposed
formally by one or more qualified members of the bar. All candidates run on both the Democratic
and Republican ballots. Independents
vote only in the general election. DUTIES: Judges preside in the Circuit Court which
is a trial court of general jurisdiction covering major civil cases and more
serious criminal matters. Circuit
Courts also may decide appeals from District Court and certain administrative
agencies. |
|
Questions
asked the Judges: BACKGROUND: What education and life experiences qualify
you to hold this office? JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS: What is the area of greatest need in the
Maryland judicial system? LEGAL ACCESS: What can be done to provide individuals
with wider and better access to legal help and the legal system? |
JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT –
CIRCUIT 5
Michael Wachs – Anne Arundel
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS AT LARGE
|
About the Office: SALARY: $149,552. annual base TERM: 10 years – no term limit HOW
ELECTED: The Governor appoints judges to the Court
of Special Appeals. The State Senate
must confirm these appointments. At
the end of a ten-year term, these judges’ names must appear on the
ballot. Voters vote “yes” for
retention, or “no” to remove from office.
Judges may not be opposed by other candidates in retention
elections. Maryland is divided into 7
Appellate Judicial Circuits. One judge
is appointed from each of these circuits and six members are appointed from
the state at large. There are a total
of 13 judges in the Court of Special Appeals.
|
|
Questions asked the Court of Appeals candidates: BACKGROUND: What are your qualifications for this
office? JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: What is area of greatest need in the
Maryland judicial system? LEGAL ACCESS: What can be done to provide individuals
with wider and better access to legal help and the legal system? |
Vote “yes” for continuance in
office or “no” for removal.
Deborah Eyler
BACKGROUND: In 11 years of service as a
judge on the Court of Special Appeals, I have authored more than 1,000 case
opinions. From that experience, I have gained in-depth knowledge of all aspects
of Maryland law and have become skilled at producing case opinions that are
thorough, fair, and timely.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: In the criminal justice
system, additional "drug court" diversion programs because the vast
majority of crimes in Maryland are rooted in the distribution and use of
illegal drugs. In the civil justice system, affordable legal representation,
especially for parents and children in contested custody cases.
LEGAL ACCESS: More outreach by courts and
the judiciary's local pro-bono committees, which exist in each county, to link up,
early in a case, a party who cannot afford representation with a pro bono
lawyer who can handle the matter for free or at a substantially reduced rate.
Robert
A. Zarnoch
BACKGROUND: Before my appointment, I
served 30 sessions as the Attorney General's Counsel to the General Assembly. I
reviewed 20,000 bills and authored thousands of advice letters. I argued in the
Supreme Court and participated in 39 cases in the State's highest court,
including one making the Camden Yards stadiums possible.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: A 2008 Harris Poll
discloses that only 16% of the public has a great deal of confidence in the
courts and the justice system. Such numbers will never be reversed until judges
demonstrate by performance that the system is accessible, deals fairly with
all, and reaches just results.
LEGAL ACCESS: Studies note that a citizen
is more likely to go to court than be hospitalized. Greater support for legal
aid and pro bono lawyering is needed. Promotion of pre-paid legal plans and
self-help, expanding small claims courts and streamlining legal procedures
would also help citizens obtain affordable legal assistance.
BOARD OF EDUCATION – ANNE
ARUNDEL COUNTY
|
About the Office: SALARY: President-$8000 per annum;
Member-$6000 per annum. TERM: Term: 4 years. Limited to
reappointment for one additional term.l HOW ELECTED: In 2007, the Maryland Legislature enacted a new law providing a
different process for appointing the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.
The School Board Nominating Commission, whose composition is stated in the
law, is mandated to select two candidates for each vacancy from which the Governor
must select one for appointment. A retention vote must be made in the
succeeding general election. A new seat on the Board was created by the new
law so that District 32 and District 21 have separate members. DUTIES: |
|
Questions asked the Board of Education candidates: |
At Large:
Tricia
Johnson
Reappointed
for 2ndTerm
District 32:
Teresa
Milio Birge
First Term
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
|
Question 1 - Constitutional Amendment (Chapter 513, Acts of 2007) Early Voting; Polling Places; Absentee Ballots Authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation to
allow qualified voters to vote at polling places inside or outside of their
election districts or wards and to vote up to two weeks before an election. This
amendment also authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation to allow
absentee voting by qualified voters who choose to vote by absentee ballot, in
addition to voters who are absent at the time of the election or who are
unable to vote personally. (Amends Article I, §§1 and 3 of the Maryland Constitution)
|
Origin
of this Ballot Question – Legislation that would allow
early voting and “no-excuse” absentee voting was passed by the General Assembly
in 2006, but a court decision found the legislation to be in conflict with the
Maryland Constitution. Therefore, in the
2007 session, the General Assembly passed SB 1 - Elective Franchise - Early
Voting and Polling Places which amends the Maryland Constitution to allow the
General Assembly to pass legislation that will establish early voting sites and
allow voters to vote by absentee ballot without having to give a reason. All Constitutional Amendments must be passed
by a majority of voters statewide.
Present
Practice – Article I, Section 1 of the
Maryland Constitution states that a voter “shall be entitled to vote in the
ward or election district in which he resides.”
As currently interpreted, this means that a voter cannot vote at an
early voting location outside the voter’s election district and that a
provisional ballot cast by a voter outside his or her election district cannot
be counted. Article XV, Section 7 of the
Maryland Constitution designates the “Tuesday after the first Monday of
November” as the date of the general election.
This has been interpreted by the Court of Appeals to mean that early
voting is not permissible.
Absentee
ballots are only for use by voters who are absent at the time of an election or
who are unable to vote in person at the assigned voting precinct. The absentee ballot application requires a
voter to affirm this fact.
Proposed
Change – If the amendment passes, the
General Assembly may enact laws to establish early voting sites. Early voting would allow registered voters to
vote, in person, up to two weeks before a state-wide primary or general
election at polling places outside of their normal district or precinct. Early voting sites can accommodate voters
from multiple precincts or even from the entire state. However, passing this amendment only allows
the General Assembly to establish an early voting process. The details of how many early voting sites
will be established and how the locations for them will be determined will come
in future legislation.
Passage
of this amendment will also allow the General Assembly to pass legislation that
enables any qualified voter to vote by absentee ballot if they choose to do
so. The enabling legislation could
remove the requirement to sign a statement telling why the voter wants to vote
by absentee ballot.
Pros: Allows for
in-person voting by voters who, due to work hours, long commutes or other
reasons, are unable to vote during the limited hours on Election Day. Early voting should ease long lines and
lengthy wait times at precincts on Election Day and should ease the workload of
precinct workers. This measure also
increases the likelihood that a voter’s provisional ballot will be counted by
allowing a provisional ballot cast outside the voter’s election district to be
counted for eligible races.
Cons: There will
be increased costs associated with providing polling locations prior to
Election Day. Voters who vote during
early voting may not have access to late campaign information on which to base
their election decisions. By encouraging
more voters to use absentee ballots or early voting sites, some of the
community interaction that takes place at precinct based polling places may
diminish.
|
Question 2 - Constitutional Amendment (Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session) Authorizing Video Lottery Terminals (Slot Machines) to
Fund Education Authorizes the State to issue up to five video lottery licenses
for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education of children in
public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12, public school construction
and improvements, and construction of capital projects at community colleges
and higher education institutions. No more than a total number of 15,000
video lottery terminals may be authorized in the State, and only one license
may be issued for each specified location in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Worcester,
and Allegany Counties, and Baltimore City. Any additional forms or expansion
of commercial gaming in Maryland is prohibited, unless approved by a voter
referendum. (Enacts new Article XIX of the Maryland Constitution)
|
Origin
of this Ballot Question – For several years, efforts
to enact legislation that would authorize Video Lottery Terminals (slot
machines) as a way to raise revenue for state expenditures failed in the
legislature. The governor proposed, and legislators
agreed, that the decision of whether to significantly expand gambling in
Maryland should be decided by the voters.
The Maryland Constitution allows only two ways for citizens to vote on
laws. The first is to gather enough
signatures on a petition to place a law that has been passed by the General
Assembly on the ballot for voter approval.
The second is to place a constitutional amendment, approved by
three-fifths of the legislators, before the voters in a General Election. In the 2007 Special Session, the Maryland General
Assembly passed HB 4, which would add a new article to the Maryland
Constitution to authorize video lottery terminal gaming (slot machines) in
Maryland. A majority of voters, statewide, must vote in favor of the
amendment for it to go into effect.
Present
Practice – Currently, the annotated code of
Maryland prohibits video lottery terminal (slot machine) gambling except
certain fraternal, religious or war veterans’ organizations in a few counties
may operate no more than five individual slot machines, and the revenue from
them must be used for the charitable purposes of those organizations. Public education is currently funded through
Maryland’s General Fund. State funding
for primary and secondary education is about $5.35 billon for this fiscal year. The three main sources of revenue for the
General Fund are income tax, retail sales tax and the State Lottery. School construction may be funded by the
General Fund but is primarily funded by borrowing through the issuance of State
bonds.
Proposed
Change – If the amendment passes, Maryland
may operate up to 15,000 video lottery terminals in five locations: Baltimore
City and Anne Arundel, Allegany, Cecil and Worcester Counties. No more than one gambling facility would be
allowed in each of the authorized jurisdictions. Another bill related to gambling, SB 3, was
also passed during the 2007 Special Session.
It will go into effect contingent on the passage of this constitutional
amendment. As defined by SB 3, 33% of
proceeds from video terminal gambling would go to the licensed operators, 9.5%
to the horse racing industry; and approximately 48.5% to education. The remainder would be used for lottery
expenses, local impact grants and administrative costs. Included in the latter is money to fight gambling
addiction. The amendment also states
that no additional video lottery terminals shall be authorized without another
approval by voters.
Pros: In 2007,
the Department of Legislative Services estimated 2010 state revenues will
increase by approximately $86 million from video gaming receipst and by as much
as $565 million by 2013. This additional
revenue could reduce tax increases that would otherwise be necessary to fund
projected education expenses. Maryland
residents who gamble in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware may choose to
spend their gambling dollars here instead of taking them out of state. New jobs will be created in construction and
the gambling industry. Jobs in the horse
racing industry may be saved. Unlike
taxation, gambling is a recreational choice and not a mandate.
Cons: In order
to generate enough revenue to reach the projected increases to state funding,
gamblers in Maryland would have to lose over $1 billion per year. To generate this level of revenue, the state will
have to urge its citizens to frequent slots parlors. Gambling, like other addictions, frequently
leads to social (and government) costs associated with lost productivity,
increased crime, broken families and even suicide. Disposable income that currently generates
sales tax revenue could be spent on gambling resulting in a loss to the General
Fund. The referendum would put a
specific revenue source, gambling, in the state Constitution. A constitution should be clear, concise and
confined to fundamentals of the structure of government.
LOCAL BALLOT QUESTIONS – ANNE ARUNDEL
Question
A -- Failure of Bills
To
amend the Charter of Anne Arundel County to clarify that any ordinance passed
by the County Council and returned unsigned by the County Executive after the
ten day presentation period will become law on the tenth day.
- For
the Charter Amendment
- Against
the Charter Amendment
Question
B -- County Ethics Commission
To
amend the Charter of Anne Arundel County to provide that the County Council
shall nominate for appointment by the County Executive three of the seven
members of the Ethics Commission.
- For
the Charter Amendment
- Against
the Charter Amendment
Background: The Charter of Anne Arundel County
provides that the seven members of the Ethics Commission shall be appointed by
the County Executive. Only four of the
members may be of the same political party. This would not change. The amendment will provide that the County
Council nominate three members of the Ethics Commission for appointment by the
County Executive.
To Accompany the On-Line
2008 GENERAL
ELECTION VOTERS’ GUIDES
General
Election: Tuesday,
November 4, 2008
Polls
open - 7 am
to 8 pm
Voter
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Find Your
Local Board of Elections – From the Maryland State Board of Elections Website.
Legislative and
Congressional District Maps – From the Maryland Department of Planning Website.
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Emergency Absentee Ballot Procedure:
Provisional Ballot Procedure:
The Electoral College: An explanation.
THE VOTERS’
GUIDE and THE LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS
The
League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote
political responsibility through informed and active participation in public
policy debate and governmental decision-making. The League has a long tradition of
publishing the verbatim responses of candidates to questions important to
voters. The League offers this Voters’
Guide to assist citizens in their decision-making process as they prepare for
the general election. The League
does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. The
candidates’ answers in the Guide appear as submitted. If answers exceeded the word limit, an
ellipsis indicates words were cut from the end of the statement. No write-in candidates will appear on the
ballot but the list of filed write-ins will be available at each polling
place. In
most areas of Maryland, the Local Leagues have been able to have Voters’
Guides printed for distribution. For
those voters who need On-Line access, this version has been prepared. The League thanks all candidates who submitted
answers to its questionnaires. |
VOTER
REGISTRATION STATUS and POLLING LOCATION
Check with
your Local Board of Elections to verify your registration status and polling
location. The registration deadline is
Tuesday, October 14.
COME PREPARED TO VOTE
1.
Read your sample ballot from Board of Elections mailed the last week of
October.
2.
Note your polling place location on the front; polling locations change!
3.
Use this Voters’ Guide to become informed on candidates and
issues.
4.
Mark your candidate selections and ballot question decisions ahead of time.
5.
Bring your completed sample ballot with you on November 4 to vote confidently
and reduce waiting times. Shorter lines
are expected from 10 am to 2 pm.
DON’T PANIC IF THERE’S A PROBLEM
1. Check the signs for directions
and/or ask the poll workers for assistance.
2. Depending on your jurisdiction,
language assistance may be available.
3.
If your name is not on the precinct register, you may be directed to another
polling place or given the option of a Provisional
Ballot. Provisional ballots are verified following the election for
voter registration accuracy. Votes of
verified registrants are included in the final election tally.
POLLING PLACE RESTRICTIONS
No cell
phone, pagers, cameras or computers may be used by voters in the polling place.
Up
to two children, 13 or under, may accompany a voter into the voting booth.
LONG
WORK HOURS? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
On
Election Day, polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. State Law requires
Maryland-based employers to release you with pay for up to two hours only
if you do not have two continuous hours off during the time the polls
are open.
|
1.
Apply in writing
for an absentee ballot if you “will be absent or unable to vote in person in
the election.” Applications are available from your local Board of
Elections upon request in writing, by telephone, or in person. 2.
Return completed
application form by 4:30 pm October 28 to the Board of Elections by mail or in
person. 3.
Absentee ballots
are usually mailed approximately three weeks before an election. 4.
Return completed
absentee ballots by mail, postmarked no later than Election Day, Nov. 4 or in
person at the Board of Elections by 8 pm on Election Day. If
the need arises from October 29 through Election Day, request an Emergency
Absentee Ballot. Apply in person at the Board of Elections: 1.
Complete Late
Application for Absentee Ballot, 2.
Receive an
absentee ballot and 3.
Vote on the spot
or return to the Board yourself by 8 pm on Election Day. If unable to complete this
process in person (e.g. hospitalization) 1.
You or someone
acting for you must obtain a Late Application for Absentee Ballot. 2.
Complete the
Designation of Agent section on the Late Application. 3.
Your agent then
obtains an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections on your behalf, brings
it to you to vote, and returns it prior to 8 pm on Election Day. |
|
The
selection of the President and Vice President of the United States is more
complicated than simply counting up the number of votes that each candidate
receives on Election Day. When the
United States Constitution was written, the country’s founders created an
institution call the “Electoral College”.
Part of the goal of establishing such an institution was to give power
to the less populous states and to insure that candidates for President and
Vice President had sufficient distribution of support from all areas of the
nation to govern. Each
state is allocated one elector for every representative that they have in
Congress. In Maryland, we have two Senators and eight members of the
House of Representatives so we have 10 electors in the Electoral College. The smallest states have two senators and
one member in the House so they have only 3 electors. Even though the District of Columbia has no
members in Congress they were given the right to have electors following the
ratification of the 23rd Amendment in 1961. California, the most populous state, has 55
electors. No member of Congress may be an elector. In
the beginning, the Electoral College had considerable power in making an
independent choice among the candidates for President and Vice President. At one time, their names appeared on the
ballot during a Presidential election.
Now, only the names of the candidates appear. However, voters are actually casting
ballots for electors who are pledged to the ticket they just voted for. The candidate with the highest number of
votes in each state will be represented by electors who will all cast their
vote for the winning candidate. The exceptions to this “winner take
all” practice are the states of Maine and Nebraska. In those states, the winner of the
statewide vote gets 2 electoral votes (equal to the number of senators from
the state) and the candidate with the highest popular vote in each
Congressional District receives the one electoral vote that is allocated for
that district. On
the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, all of the electors chosen
as a result of the General Election in November meet in their respective
state capitals to cast two ballots – one for President and one for Vice
President. The Electoral College
includes 538 electors (one for every member in Congress plus 3 from the
District of Columbia). In order to be
elected, the candidates must receive 270 electoral votes. If no candidate for President receives that
many votes, the House of Representatives picks the winner from the top three
vote getters. Each state receives only
one vote, regardless of its size. The
Senate chooses the Vice President if no candidate receives 270 votes. Senators cast their votes as individuals,
not as states. |