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    Jesse Gordon's and Clinton Graham's recommendations > Ballot Questions 2026
  • Download Clinton & Jesse's flyer with 9 Ballot Questions
  • Download Jesse's flyer with 9 Ballot Questions
  • Download Jesse's flyer with Prop 2-1/2 question too
  • Click for Clinton Graham's full website

    Question for Dec. 8 Special Election

    Prop 2-1/2 override: $9.5 million property tax increase

    Jesse says "NO; the $9.5 million will go to wherever the Town Manager and Town Council decide, without any input from the public -- they want us to blindly trust that they will allocate $9.5 million well!

    The PUBLIC should decide where property tax increases go -- that's called a 'menu override' and it was rejected by the Town Council.

    I support more funds for our schools and more funds for our infrastructure -- let's let the people vote on each tax increase item individually, with allocated dollar amounts.

    Let's reject the 'blind override' in December and we can then have a 'menu override' vote in the spring!

    Town Manager says YES; Town Council says YES; Jesse says NO.

    Question 1

    Make all state legislature records into public records

    Jesse says "YES; the voters agreed 72% YES in 2024 to audit the legislature, and the Legislature has been fighting it ever since. What are they hiding?"

    Democratic Party says NO; Governor Healey and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio say YES; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 1

    Question 2

    Labor Unions for public defense lawyers

    Jesse says "YES; public defenders are the 'Good Guys' in court, defending people against the state, and are poorly paid. Let them have a union!"

    SEIU and other unions say YES; Progressive Mass says YES; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 2

    Question 3

    Top-Two Non-Partisan Primaries
    (Eliminate political party primaries for state elections)

    Clinton says, "I chose YES to question three because I truly believe jungle primaries offer the best solution for purifying the process—making sure people who genuinely belong to a party can stand up for the real values of that party instead of getting pulled into politricks just to win. Politics shouldn't force people to trade away what they actually believe.
         "So let's make it fair: a jungle primary where Democrats, Republicans, and independents can all compete—so we elect candidates who truly want to represent their communities and truly revolutionize democracy."

    Jesse says, "YES; many states hold non-partisan primaries; those 'jungle primaries' increase voter participation! The parties just want to hold onto partisan power -- let's take it away from them! This ballot question is only about state elections and has no effect on federal elections -- Massachusetts would still have a Democratic and Republican presidential primary ballot every four years,"

    Democratic Party says NO; Republican Party says NO; Progressive Mass says NO; many candidates from both parties say YES (and many other candidates also say NO); Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 3

    Question 4

    Same-day voter registration

    Jesse says "YES; turnout in September 2026 primaries was under 15%; this measure would greatly increase that! We get ONE DAY in each election year for same-day registration -- let's increase that to 365 days a year!

    Democratic Party says YES; Progressive Mass says YES; "voting integrity" supporters say NO; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 4

    Question 5

    State Revenue Limit & Rebate

    Clinton says, "I would vote NO on question five because the current universal cap doesn't match real life in Massachusetts, and it feels meaningless when it doesn't fit real need. We should set the cap based on living costs, and for the structure of the program we should cap it so that anyone making any number under $1 million would qualify.
         "People making more than $1 million should be taxed at a higher rate, and those making more than $5 million or $10 million should be in a different tax bracket.
         "Billionaires should have their own tax bracket too, because their situation is completely different. Living in Massachusetts—especially Boston—is very expensive, so the numbers have to be examined carefully, and the goal should be to help the residents who truly need support instead of wasting time on an incomplete, half-hearted approach."

    Jesse says "NO; capping state taxes by a formula hurts town budgets. And this measure would require refund checks if over the cap -- a gimmick!"

    Business associations say YES; Progressive Mass says NO; SEIU and MTA unions say NO; Jesse says NO.

    Info on question 5

    Question 6

    Nature-for-All Fund

    Jesse says "YES; this vote would set aside sales tax from recreational sales, to use on parks. Now, parks have to compete with other spending, and usually get short-changed!

    Mass Audubon says YES; The Nature Conservancy says YES; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 6

    Question 7

    Smaller Lot Sizes for Single-Family Homes

    Jesse says "YES; we need 'starter homes' on small lots (1/8 acre), to fulfill the American Dream of starting a family in the suburbs."

    Progressive Mass says YES; Municipal associations say NO; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 7

    Question 8

    Ban recreational marijuana statewide (with only civil penalties)

    Jesse says "NO; leave state law alone, so cities and towns can decide to allow selling marijuana or not. Randolph already voted against recreational marijuana sales in Randolph -- this statewide question doesn't change that -- it just lets each town decide for themselves."

    Progressive Mass says NO; Business associations say NO; "Drug Warriors" say YES; Jesse says NO.

    Info on question 8

    Question 9

    Loosen Firearm Regulations: overturn H. 4885 passed in 2024

    Clinton says, "I would vote YES on question number nine, and I strongly support keeping the assault weapons ban in place. I would also go further by requiring thorough background checks for anyone seeking a gun license, covering any type of firearm license, and ensuring there are strong, clear safeguards throughout the process. These background checks should include psychological evaluations and meaningful review, and should involve input and coordination with law enforcement. The reason is simple: safety has to be built in before harm happens, and law enforcement is one of the first groups our communities rely on when there is danger. This is about protecting everyone—our officers, our families, and our communities—and making sure the rules we pass actually work. That is why this question should be a definite YES, and why assault weapons should remain banned."

    Jesse says "YES; we should keep our sensible laws restricting assault weapons, and requiring serial numbers for tracking."

    Progressive Mass says YES; Gun rights organizations say NO; Jesse says YES.

    Info on question 9

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