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League of Women Voters 2008 General Election
Voters’ Guide For Somerset County |
President and Vice President of the United States
Representative in Congress – The Office
Representative in Congress – District 1
Judge of the Circuit Court – The Office
Judge of the Circuit Court – Circuit 1
Judge of the Court of Appeals Circuit 1
Judge of the Court of Special Appeals At Large
Board of Education – Somerset County
State Constitutional Amendments
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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 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.
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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. |
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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 1
Daniel M. Long -- Somerset
BACKGROUND: Graduate, Salisbury University, University of
Baltimore Law School. Member, Somerset
County and Maryland State Bar Associations.
Judge, Somerset County Circuit Court 1990 -, First Circuit Administrative
Judge 1996 -. Executive Committee, Conference of Circuit Judges 1994 -. Recipient
Anselm Sodaro Civility Award. Member,
Maryland House of Delegates 1983 - 1990, chair House Judiciary Committee.
JUDGE
OF THE COURT OF APPEALS CIRCUIT 1
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About the Office: SALARY: $162,352 annual base TERM: 10 years DUTIES: The Court of Appeals is the
highest court in Maryland (commonly called the Supreme Court in other states
and at the federal level). It hears cases almost exclusively by way of
certiorari, a process which gives the court discretion to decide which cases
to hear. However, the Court of Appeals is mandated by law to hear cases
involving the death penalty, legislative redistricting, removal of certain
officers, and certifications of questions of law. All seven judges hear oral
arguments on each case unless a judge removes him/herself from a case; then a
judge from another court, or a retired appellate judge, may be specially
assigned to sit in the place of the recused judge. |
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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 "for retention in
office: Yes___ No___"
Sally D. Adkins –
Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico,
Worcester
BACKGROUND: Judge for 10 years on
intermediate appellate court, writing 1045 appellate opinions; 2 years on trial court; Chair; judicial
disciplinary commission (8 years); 20
years general law practice; community service, e.g. Ethics Commission (Wicomico), Coastal
Hospice, YMCA, Horizons Student Enrichment Program; initiated Child Custody
Mediation Program for Wicomico Courts.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: Impartial,
patient, thoughtful, practical, and
decisive judges with deep respect for the rule of law. Judges with these qualities will assure an
independent and fair judiciary that is essential for democracy.
LEGAL ACCESS: Continue and expand Access
To Justice initiatives such as People’s Law Library, and design and expand
programs to make it easier for self-represented individuals to pursue their
legal objective.
JUDGE OF THE
COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS AT LARGE
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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.
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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 –
SOMERSET COUNTY
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About the Office: Since no one has filed for the District 2 and 4 seats on Somerset
County’s Board of Education, the Governor has been asked to appoint two
people to these positions. |
District 2:
District 4:
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)
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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)
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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.
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. |