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League of Women Voters 2008 General Election
Voters’ Guide For Prince George’s County |
President and Vice President of the United States
Representative in Congress – The Office
Representative in Congress – District 4
Representative in Congress – District 5
Representative in Congress – District 8
Judge of the Circuit Court – The Office
Judge of the Circuit Court – Circuit 7
Judge of the Court of Special Appeals At Large
Board of Education – Prince George’s County
State Constitutional Amendments
Local Ballot Questions – Prince
George’s County
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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
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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. |
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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
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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. |
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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 4
(If you live in this district, vote
for no more than one candidate)
Donna Edwards
Party: Democratic
Website:
www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com
BACKGROUND: I graduated from Wake Forest University
(B.A., 1980) and Franklin Pierce Law Center (J.D.,1989). I founded the National Network to End
Domestic Violence and as Executive Director I led the fight to pass the
Violence Against Women Act. I have
served in the House of Representatives since June 2008.
IMMIGRATION: I support a tough, fair, and
practical policy that moves undocumented immigrants toward citizenship,
strengthens border security, and ensures that employers are accountable and
workers are not exploited. I support
fair trade policies to protect U.S. jobs, provide fair wages, guarantee
workplace safety, and comply with international human rights laws.
CLIMATE CHANGE: I support long-term investments and incentives
for clean, renewable energy and mass public transportation to provide real
solutions to protect the environment for future generations. We must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels
and end subsidies of polluting industries.
Transitioning to a greener economy means good jobs and good
business.
ECONOMY: As the mortgage crisis worsens and energy prices maintain
record levels, the next financial crisis may be related to credit, as people
struggle make ends meet. U.S. consumers
already own nearly $1 trillion in credit card debt. I support new, aggressive credit card
regulations aimed to help protect consumers.
EDUCATION: While the law itself it not perfect, the goals of NCLB can
still be achieved if corrective action is taken immediately. I support revising
measures of adequate yearly progress for schools, measure student growth more
individually, increase the number of highly qualified teachers, and provide
full funding for these initiatives.
HEALTH CARE:
I support long-term solutions
that will provide affordable, accessible, quality, universal health care for
all Americans—focusing on prevention and doctors making medical decisions. I will fight to enable states to negotiate
prescription drug prices, and I will not take contributions from drug and insurance
companies that block real change.
NATIONAL SECURITY: I support
responsibly withdrawing from Iraq and refocusing military priorities on real
threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while re-establishing our commitment to
diplomacy throughout the world. As the
daughter of a veteran, I am committed to providing quality medical,
educational, compensatory and mental health services to veterans and their
families.
Peter James
Party: Republican
Website: www.peterjames08.com
BACKGROUND: 53 years of life in the US. 25 years studying
the monetary system. 35 years high tech knowledge of impact on privacy,
environment, and our standard of living. 25 years public good projects.
Fighting for rights such as jury trial rights and stopping distribution of
citizen information to private entities.
IMMIGRATION: Hitler scapegoated the Gypsies while he
enslaved Germany. We are told the illegals are causing our economic problems,
when in reality trillions of dollars worth of our wealth is being stolen from
us by the international banking cartel. Globalists want open borders. Enforce
immigration laws but watch “Money as Debt”.
CLIMATE
CHANGE:
This presupposes eminent global climate change is valid. Our money
system requires a unsustainable 3% production growth rate to feed the debt
monster. Fixing the money will reduce energy consumption to a sustainable
level. Provide tax credits for geothermal home systems will cut power
generation green house gases by 30%.
ECONOMY: Our economy is based on a flawed and unjust
monetary system. Google and watch “Money as Debt”. Our greatest leaders
Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Lincoln, Jackson, Garfield have all successfully
stopped private money issuance monopolies and fixed the monetary system by
returning the power to issue money to the Congress.
EDUCATION: Federal education mandates are nothing more
than bribery at best and extortion at worst. You as a parent should control
your child’s education, not some bureaucrat .I would abolish the department of
education and reduce taxes by a like amount. Local governments could raise
additional taxes that would better spent.
HEALTH
CARE:
We have plenty of healthcare. What we lack is the money to pay for it.
By fixing our money system and creating prosperity all Americans’ will be able
to afford quality healthcare. The money monopoly has impoverished America to
gain monopoly control over all healthcare (30% of the GDP).
NATIONAL
SECURITY:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little
Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" Fear mongering has been used to steal our
liberty. I would repeal all unconstitutional nation security legislation. We
can protect our society without giving up our essential liberties. Freedom
makes America special.
Thibeaux
Lincecum
Party: Libertarian
Website:
http://lincecum.us
BACKGROUND:
By consistently achieving goals, I was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class
in the U.S. Navy, Vice Commander of Tulane AFROTC Cadets, then Captain in the
Air Force, and received the Air Force Commendation Medal. I'm now an
information technology consultant with experience at many federal agencies
IMMIGRATION:
Make legal immigration easier by allowing entrance to any guest worker that
doesn't represent a health or security threat and giving citizenship to all
applicants who meet reasonable standards, with no quotas. Make illegal
immigration harder and less desirable by improving border security and
increasing enforcement of current laws.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: The Declaration of Independence
affirms our right to life, so government is obligated to restrict
life-threatening pollution. However,
carbon dioxide is not a pollutant, and climate change, although probably requiring
adaptation, is not clearly life-threatening. Conditions may arise that
would justify federal legislation, but they haven't yet.
ECONOMY:
Our growing debt makes us a slave to other nations, as we are obligated to pay
interest for decades to come. We must balance the budget by reducing
spending on almost all government programs, and start paying off our
debt. Every spending increase for any program conflicts with this
priority.
EDUCATION:
Attaching incentives to only a few subjects undermines the teaching of all other
subjects. Standardizing education across the nation inhibits the freedom
of local schools to innovate and find better ways to teach. I support repealing
'No Child Left Behind' legislation.
HEALTH
CARE: Allow individuals to purchase
health insurance and medical care for themselves with the same tax benefits
given to employers and third parties, with any terms agreeable to themselves
and the insurer. Lower drug costs by
allowing doctors to rely on drug certification by multiple organizations,
rather than only the FDA
NATIONAL
SECURITY: By not trying to impose values or
gain influence in other nations through the use of force, we remove incentives
for others to attack us and can reduce our military spending. The best
guarantee for continued peace between nations is economic interdependence, and
that results from free trade.
Write-In Candidates
Bobby Broadus
Party: Republican
Website: http://localpolitics.meetup.com/142
No response by deadline.
Darryn O’Shea
Jackson, Sr.
Party: Democratic
Website: www.darrynjackson.com
BACKGROUND:
I am a United States Citizen, Resident in the state of Maryland, I am 44 Years
old.
IMMIGRATION: Comprehensive immigration reform.
CLIMATE
CHANGE:
Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (CSIA) - S.280.
ECONOMY: Labor: Invest in U.S. Manufacturing, Create
New Job Training Programs for Clean Technologies, Create New Jobs.
EDUCATION: Fund the law, Recruit, Prepare, Retain,
Reward America’s Teachers.
HEALTH
CARE:
Guaranteed Eligibility.
NATIONAL
SECURITY:
Strengthen our security; rebuild the Military, National Guard and
boarder patrol.
Steve Schulin
Party: Independent
Website: http://www.md4steve.org
BACKGROUND:
I've run nuclear.com since 1994. I'm disappointed at the miserable failure
of our nation's dominant parties to offer a 100% pro-life candidate on the
ballot, one who fears God, loves liberty, and will conserve our
sovereignty. I'm a candidate because 'If you don't see a leader, be a
leader.'
IMMIGRATION:
I support immediate securing and continuous vigilant maintenance of our
sovereign territory and borders. I oppose any private or governmental
action that rewards illegal entry into the USA in any way, and demand
speedy and full enforcement of our laws concerning all such activities. No
amnesty.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: After literally thousands of hours
of reading science journals and discussing CO2-climate with a wide range
of scientists, I strongly oppose the wrenching changes urged by the alarmists
and global governance advocates. I support only commonsense actions
like preventing homeowners associations from banning clotheslines.
I'll debate anyone, anytime.
ECONOMY: I support abolishing the federal income tax.
This will unleash an economic boom the likes of which we've never seen. A
fair, simple, noninvasive, visible, efficient, consumption-based retail
tax is my proposed replacement. The current tax system is destructive
of our liberties in many ways.
EDUCATION:
No child left behind is, sadly, an example of federal government
abrogating the 10th amendment of our Constitution. If terrorists had
caused the devastation of our education system, we'd declare war. I'll
work to ensure parents have a real choice of schools, and I'll counter the
secular humanists every day.
HEALTH
CARE: We talk about health care, but our
government has long been integral in misdirecting our resources into creating
our current system of "sick care". This needs to change. I
oppose the plans to nationalize this important part of our society.
NATIONAL
SECURITY: "Peace through strength"
is not a mere slogan. It is the means of our survival in a very dangerous
and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after
possession of all of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should
be something that all rightfully fear.
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.
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 8
(If
you live in this district, vote for no more than one candidate)
Chris Van Hollen
Party: Democratic
Website: www.vanhollen.org
BACKGROUND: Member of Congress (2003-Present) Committee
Assignments: Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform; Vice Chairman Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Caucus, Co-Chairman, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, Maryland
State Senate, 1994-2002; Maryland House of Delegates, 1990-1994; Senior Advisor
on Federal Affairs, Maryland Governor (1988-1990) .
IMMIGRATION: We must strengthen border security, interior
enforcement and prevent illegal immigration. Support overall approach (though
not every provision) of the McCain-Kennedy bill to address issue of existing
undocumented individuals and the comprehensive strategy once outlined by
President Bush. Fix our legal immigration system to end huge backlogs.
CLIMATE
CHANGE:
Have sponsored legislation to: terminate taxpayer subsidies to oil
industry and redirect tax incentives to renewable sources; boost federal research for renewable energy;
raise energy efficiency standards for appliances and buildings; increase CAFE standards; implement a
Renewable Electricity Portfolio standard; develop a cap and trade system for
carbon emissions.
ECONOMY: Global competition presents both a challenge
and opportunity. Need world class education
system from pre-K through college. Boost
federal investment in and incentives for basic R&D; reduce deficit through
greater financial discipline including pay-go budget rules; major
infrastructure modernization program; greater transparency and oversight of
financial markets.
EDUCATION: Fully fund this Act. The first bill I
introduced, the Keep our Promises to America’s Children and Teachers (Keep our
PACT) Act would require the federal government to fully fund both the NCLB Act
and the federal special education law (IDEA). Modify some measures of academic
progress to improve incentives.
HEALTH
CARE:
The lack of health coverage for 46 million people is unacceptable. I
support universal health care coverage. I am sponsoring legislation to expand
the Children’s Health Insurance Program, allow earlier buy-in to Medicare,
create a small business plan modeled after federal employees’ health system,
and provide for mental health parity.
NATIONAL
SECURITY:
In Afghanistan, prevent resurgence of Taliban and finish job against al
Qaeda. Iraq war has strengthened Iran and the most radical elements in the
region. U.S. cannot impose democracy by force. Lead not only by might of our
military, but power of our ideas. Restore credibility. Implement 9/11 Commission
recommendations.
Steve Hudson
Party: Republican
Website:
www.stevehudson2008.com
BACKGROUND:
I’m an independent citizen with skills that can help. I want to take the
power away from politicians and deliver it back to you, where it belongs. If elected, I will serve no more than three
terms in the House of Representatives at your discretion.
IMMIGRATION:
Secure the borders and air entry points into the U.S. and enforce existing
immigration laws. Reducing the illegal
immigrant population will save billions in tax expenditures. Improve opportunities for legal residents,
reduce crime, and strengthen our economy and our future.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: Global warming is a serious
threat. We should respond by increasing the capture of greenhouse gases and
reducing carbon emissions into our atmosphere. Eliminating capital gains
taxes on alternative and renewable energy investments will rapidly expand these
sectors and propel us away from fossil fuels toward energy independence.
ECONOMY:
To boost jobs and our economy, we need an energy strategy. Lower
the federal gas tax and provide incentives for businesses to allow employees to
work from home. Transition from foreign to
domestic energy production through environmentally-conscious domestic
drilling. Finally, convert from fossil
fuels to alternative, renewable, and nuclear energy.
EDUCATION:
Parents, teachers, and local school boards should play a much greater role
in education than “One Size Fits All” government standards like NCLB. We must take care of our teachers. I support subsidized salaries for teachers
who genuinely care and perform. I have
four children in public school.
HEALTH
CARE: Improve access and quality of
health care by offering tax credits to purchase private insurance. Allow groups other than employers to offer
individual policies and expand the health care insurance market. Allow re-importation of prescription drugs
from countries with a high standard of care.
Fully fund Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP.
NATIONAL
SECURITY: Deficit spending threatens our
security by making us dependent on countries like China. Foreign governments could easily wage
economic war on the U.S. by dumping our treasury bonds, which would sink the
dollar. I support a balanced budget
amendment with a supermajority exception in times of war or national crisis.
Gordon Clark
Party: Green
Website:
www.clarkforcongress.net
BACKGROUND:
I am a lifelong activist, advocate and community organizer for peace, social
justice and the environment. I have both
founded and run organizations, including serving as Executive Director of Peace
Action, the nation’s largest grassroots peace organization. I am also a conflict-resolution trainer, and
ten year resident of Silver Spring.
IMMIGRATION:
Targeting 12 million undocumented workers, many of whom pay taxes, makes no
sense. We must focus law enforcement on the large companies that employ them, often
in dangerous jobs, and work to improve economic conditions in their home
countries, reducing their incentive to come here for work.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: Al Gore's goal to have 100% of our
electricity from renewable energy in ten years; a government initiative for
gas-free electric cars; re-investment in rail mass transit, both local and
national; significant, direct federal investment in energy conservation and
localized renewable energy generation; a moratorium on coal-fired power plants.
ECONOMY:
Our greatest economic challenge is the inevitable end of cheap oil, along with
severe climate change from burning fossil fuels. Investing in renewable energy,
we can create millions of green jobs and protect our environment. This must be
our New Deal, Marshall Plan and Apollo Project rolled into one.
EDUCATION:
Accountability is a laudable goal, but the No Child Left Behind Act is too
blunt and inflexible for national education policy. NCLB has forced schools to "teach to
tests," often eliminating art and even social studies and de-enriching the
educational environment. It’s also used for military recruiting, which must
end.
HEALTH
CARE: We'll never provide adequate
health care for 100 million+ uninsured and underinsured Americans through
private insurance companies, whose financial incentive is to deny coverage. We
must create a universal, single-payer national health care system with free
choice of doctors and hospitals. Other countries have done this, why can't we?
NATIONAL
SECURITY: The invasion and military
occupation of Iraq has been a humanitarian, financial and national security
disaster, creating far more enemies than friends. Congress must use its
"power of the purse" to stop funding this catastrophe and bring our
troops home - not simply downsize it while sending troops elsewhere.
Ian Thomas
Party: Libertarian
No response received by deadline.
Write-In Candidates
Deborah A. Vollmer
Party: Democratic
Website:
http://www.deborahvollmer.com
BACKGROUND:
B.A. in Government, Clark University, 1970; JD University of Maryland School of
Law, 1973. Practiced law in California:United Farm Workers; Greater
Bakersfield Legal Assistance; sole practice. Currently
semi-retired. Active in anti-war movement. Board member,Greater
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition. Formerly a member of Social Justice
Council at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church.
IMMIGRATION:
We are a nation of immigrants, and immigrants contribute to our culture and our
economy. We need humane policies that allow immigrants to earn legal
residency and citizenship, and that promote family unification.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: Limit the emissions of pollutants
(both vehicle emissions, and pollution arising from industry); incentives for
the manufacture of more hybrid vehicles, the development of more energy
efficient vehicles; improving mass transit, especially the maintenance and
expansion of our Metro system; renewable energy: wind and solar.
ECONOMY:
The war in Iraq in particular, and military spending in general, has been a
tremendous drain on our economy. We need to refocus our resources on
domestic programs to alleviate the effects of poverty—in areas such as housing,
health care, and education.
EDUCATION:
There are serious flaws in this legislation. We should help
struggling teachers and struggling schools, rather than penalizing them.
Make adequate financial resources available. Get away from the emphasis
on teaching to the test—encourage teachers to be creative, and to provide an atmosphere
where children enjoy learning.
HEALTH
CARE: I favor legislation
sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, publicly-funded,
quality health care for all, with individual choice of health care
provider. No American should be denied quality health care, which should
be considered a human right.
NATIONAL
SECURITY: End the flawed policy of the
Bush Administration, the so-called “global war on terror.” End U.S.
funding for the war on Iraq; withdraw troops; and stop perpetuating drumbeats
for war with Iran. Focus on promoting mutual respect among peoples and
nations, and focus on diplomacy rather than warfare.
Lih Young
Party: Democratic
Website:
www.Vote-USA.org/Intro.aspx?Id=MDYoungLih
BACKGROUND:
Profiled in Marquis Who’s Who. Reformer, advocate, activist, super-mom, -woman,
victim-turned superhuman against “fraud-crime-injustice-system”. Excellent
expertise, commitment. PhD econ. Producer/host, numerous TV programs, Citizen
Times, judiciaries, agencies, working class, faith revival, democracy,
humanity, conscience, freedom, global affairs. Prestigious certificates: High,
Special Exams. Testified frequently, 3 branches, law enforcement. Congress.org,
archives ….
IMMIGRATION:
Stop minorities bashing. Support civilian review board. Improve quality
officials. race relationships, diversity in good faith, not rhetoric or abuse
as often by “fraud-crime- injustice network”. Clean-up; not relaying/shuffling
at the expense of justice, productivity, good workers, minorities,
immigrants. Investigate/ prosecute/ eliminate: unjust appropriation,
siphoning resources to benefit a few.
CLIMATE
CHANGE: Address global warming and oil
dependence; raising auto fuel economy; caps on carbon pollution; investing
in public transportation, energy conservation technologies, alternative energy
development; Eliminate abuse, waste, bad legislative bills, appropriations,
abandonment of resources, land, government resources to benefit a few,
victimize others or general public; opposite government function; cause ,,,
ECONOMY:
Protect people’s resources (public, private), rights, families. No unjust
practices, manipulation, influence, bad proposals, hidden agenda, false excuses
(public-private partnership, economic development, housing, MPDU…) to benefit/
facilitate “official misconduct- governmennt gang- fraud- crime-
injustice networks” =cruel tyranny= robbery machine; continuing, on-going,
expanding, penetrating; false levies, liens, garnishment, foreclosures,
evictions; vicious ….
EDUCATION: Promote merits, efficiency, accountability;
no unjust practices, misleading, manipulation, conspiracy, cover-up, “official
misconduct- government gang- fraud- crime- injustice networks”. Eliminate
abuse, waste, bad legislative bills, appropriations, abandonment of resources,
land, government resources to benefit a few, victimize others or general
public; opposite government function; cause socio- political- election- media
problems.
HEALTH
CARE: Support universal national health
insurance (all, Medicare, Medicaid, prescription, uninsured, catastrophic);
single payer (government); simple, effective, equal, quality, accountability,
preventive, affordable, cost containment; public funded research; not to
benefit a few; public education, consumer protection. Eliminate deceit,
deprivation, victimization, unjust practices, “official misconduct- government
gang- fraud- crime- injustice networks” operation.
NATIONAL
SECURITY: Prosecute, eliminate, penalize:
official misconduct- government gang- fraud- crime- injustice networks;
conspiracies, cover-up fraud and crime; unjustly deprivation of resources
(public, private); false excuses, falsification, tampering data, information;
victimize, retaliate; damage, destruction, conceal truth, documents, witnesses;
unjust manipulation, monitoring, influence; denial of filming, airing, TV,
radio, media, copyrights, etc.
|
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 7
Vote
for no more than 5.
Andre Michael Chapdelaine – Prince George’s
Biography: I received a BA from
Georgetown University in 1963 and an LLB from Georgetown in 1966. I was in
private practice from 1967-2002; was a Family Law Master from 2002-2006; and
was appointed a Circuit Court Judge in January 2007. As a member of the judiciary in one county, I
do not believe it would be appropriate for me to respond to questions regarding
the entire state judicial system.
Justice
System Needs: No reply received.
Legal
Access: No reply received.
Larnzell Martin, Jr. – Prince George’s
Biography: I am a 1975 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. I served as
Associate, Deputy and County Attorney for Prince George’s County, addressing
issues related to the operation of government and meeting citizen needs. In
private practice, I served on the Personnel Board and presided over nurse
grievance hearings.
Justice System Needs:
The greatest need is for on-site interpreters and translators as Court
employees. This follows from the increase of litigants for whom English is not
their primary language. When emergency court intervention is sought, relief is
often delayed by the need to engage an interpreter.
Legal Access: Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, with the
cooperation of the Bar, has guided the Judiciary in the adoption of practices
and policies that have substantially expanded access to Maryland courts. The
provision of on-site interpreters and translators is the next step to wider and
better access.
Crystal Dixon Mittelstaedt – Prince George’s
No reply received.
Albert W. Northrop – Prince George’s
No reply received.
Nicholas Elias Rattal – Prince George’s
Biography: I received my JD from the
University of Maryland School of Law in 1986 with top honors. I have been
with the Public Defenders Office since graduation. I have had somewhere
between 75 – 150 jury trials. I taught a semester at the Maryland School
of Law.
Justice System Needs : Insuring that all cases get heard in a timely
manner. Next that all participants who cannot afford an attorney have
access to either Legal Aid or the Public Defenders Office. There is also
a need for more Spanish speaking personnel in the court.
Legal Access: More funding and grants to the Public
Defenders Office and Legal Aid. However, there would still be a gap for
the middle class who live paycheck to paycheck. More bilingual speaking
employees in the courthouse.
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 – PRINCE
GEORGE’S COUNTY
|
About the Office: HOW ELECTED: The Prince George’s County Board of Education
consists of nine (9) elected members plus one student board member. Of the elected members, one member is
elected from each of five (5) Board of Education districts and an additional
four (4) are elected at-large. In 2008, one (1) at-large seat is open for
election. |
|
Questions asked the Board of Education candidates: |
At Large:
Amber
Waller
(Unopposed.)
Currently serving as Board
Member At-Large, Prince George’s County Public Schools, upon being appointed by
County Executive Jack Johnson in September 2007, I have been actively engaged
with the Board to ensure that the necessary tools are in place so that all
students graduate from high school and are prepared for success in a global
society—work and college ready. As Board
Member I will continue to collaborate with community partners to further
improvements in academics, and to close the achievement gap between schools and
students.
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
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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.
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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 – PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
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Question A -- (CB-34-2008)
Charter Required Referendum Library Facilities Bonds An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds
in an amount not exceeding $9,155,000 to finance the design, construction,
reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration,
renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Library Facilities, as
defined therein.
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League of Women Voters comment: If passed by
the voters in Prince George’s County, Question A would authorize Prince
George’s County to raise $9,155,000 for library branch renovations as well as
Surratts-Clinton Branch library in particular.
League of Women Voters comment: If the
voters in Prince George’s County reject Question A, Prince George’s County will
not have the authority to raise these monies for library renovations, repairs,
expansion, etc., as stated above.
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Question B -- (CB-35-2008)
Charter Required Referendum Public Safety Facilities Bonds An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds
in an amount not exceeding $38,134,000 to finance the design, construction,
reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration,
renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Public Safety Facilities
(including Fire Department Facilities), as defined therein.
|
League of Women Voters comment: If passed
by the voters in Prince George’s County, Question B would authorize Prince
George’s County to raise $38,134,000 to renovate, etc., several public safety
(including fire) facilities, namely, kitchen facility replacement, police
station renovations, fire station renovations, fire station roof renovations,
Chillum Fire/EMS Station, Konterra Fire/EMS Station, Oxon Hill Fire/EMS station
#42 and South County Fire/EMS Station.
League of Women Voters comment: If voters in
Prince George’s County vote against Question B, Prince George’s County will not
have the authority to raise this money for these purposes.
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Question C -- (CB-36-2008)
Charter Required Referendum County Buildings Bonds An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds
in an amount not exceeding $112,596,000 to finance the design, construction,
reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration,
renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of County Buildings, as
defined therein.
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League of Women Voters comment: If passed,
Question C would authorize Prince George’s County to raise $112,596,000 to
repair county buildings including the Prince George’s Homeless Shelter, the
Courthouse Exterior/Interior security, the Regional Health and Human Services
Center, County Building Renovations II and the Public Safety 800 MHz system.
League of Women Voters comment: If voters
in Prince George’s County vote against Question C, Prince George’s County will
not be authorized to raise the money to make these improvements.
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Question D -- (CB-37-2008)
Charter Required Referendum Public Works and Transportation Facilities Bonds An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds
in an amount not exceeding $153,224,000 to finance the design, construction,
reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration,
renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Public Works and
Transportation Facilities (including roads and bridges, parking lots, and
maintenance facilities), as defined therein.
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League of Women Voters comment: If passed by
the voters, Question D would authorize Prince George’s County to raise
$153,224,000 for several projects namely Bridge Rehabilitation, Federal Aid,
Bridge Repair and Replacement 2, BR-Brandywine Road, BR-Chestnut Avenue,
BR-Livingston Road, Bus Mass Transit/Metro Access 2, Contee Road
Reconstruction, Curb and Road Rehabilitation 2, Fisher Road, Flood Prone Areas,
Governor Bridge Road, High Bridge Road, Livingston Road, Lottsford Road III,
Revitalization and Beautification 2, Street Lights and Traffic Signals 2,
Traffic Congestion Improvements 2, and Transportation Enhancement 2.
League of Women Voters comment: If voters in
Prince George’s County reject Question D, Prince George’s County will not have
the authority to raise the money for the mentioned projects.
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Question E -- (CB-38-2008)
Charter Required Referendum Community College Facilities Bonds An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds
in an amount not exceeding $48,731,000 to finance the design, construction,
reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration,
renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Community College
Facilities, as defined therein.
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League of Women Voters comment: A vote for
Question E would authorize Prince George’s County to raise money to improve
Prince George’s Community College including the MSR-Fire Alarm System Upgrade,
the Queen Anne Fine Arts Building, the renovation of Marlboro Hall, and other
College Improvements.
League of Women Voters comment: A vote
against Question E would mean that Prince George’s County was not authorized to
raise the money to make the above improvements and repairs to Prince George’s
Community College.
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Question F -- (CB-12-2007)
Charter Required Referendum Telecommunications and Service Sales and Use Tax An Act to increase the sales and use tax on gross receipts
from telecommunications service within Prince George's County from 8 percent
to 11 percent to increase funding available to the Prince George's County
Board of Education.
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League of Women Voters comment: if passed by
the voters, Question F would impose an eleven (11) percent rather than the
current eight (8) percent tax on telecommunications service providers in order
to increase funds available to the Prince George’s County Board of
Education.
League of Women Voters comment: if Question
F fails, the current eight (8) percent tax will remain in force.
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Question G -- (CB-50-2008)
Charter Amendment Enactment of Legislation - Extension of Time for Notice of
Public Hearing on a Bill To clarify the prescribed scheduling and notice periods
for legislation by the Clerk of the Council from five to ten days.
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League of Women Voters comment: if Question
G passes, the Clerk of the Council will be required to provide at least ten
(10) days notice of public hearings of the Prince George’s County Council
rather than the current required five (5) days notice.
League of Women Voters comment: if Question
G fails, the Clerk of the Council will continue to be required to provide at
least five (5) days notice of public hearings of the Prince George’s County
Council.
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.
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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. |
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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. |