Political Notes: 4 ballot petitions go before House PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY MARCH 3RD

Political Notes: 4 ballot petitions go before House

Geoff Spillane
Posted Dec 30, 2019

BOSTON — The 2020 ballot questions in Massachusetts are beginning to come into focus.

Secretary of State William Galvin announced last week that the petitioners of four questions had submitted more than the required 80,239 signatures.

Galvin will now forward the petitions to the House of Representatives for consideration in the legislative session that begins next week.

The questions moving forward, along with the number of signatures filed for each are: Law to Implement Ranked-Choice Voting in Elections, 111,268; Law Establishing Adequate Funding for Residents of Massachusetts Nursing Homes, 101,999; Law to Enhance, Update and Protect the 2013 Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Law, 103,634; and Law Relative to the Sale of Beer and Wine by Food Stores, 99,879.

The Legislature has until May 5 to act on the initiative petitions. Any that are not adopted will continue to the next round of signature-gathering, meaning the petitioners must collect and file an additional 13,374 signatures with Galvin’s office by July 1 for the question to be included on the November ballot.

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The Massachusetts presidential primary March 3, part of Super Tuesday, is only 63 days away.

In three Cape towns, it will also be the primary election for the Plymouth and Barnstable District state Senate seat vacated by Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo last month.

Several of the candidates vying to replace deMacedo have fundraising events planned for the coming weeks.

Democrat Susan Moran, a Falmouth selectman and the town’s representative to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, will hold a kickoff event in Plymouth from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at The New World Tavern, 56 Main St.

Jay McMahon, a Republican lawyer from Bourne, has a new year’s kickoff event scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Sagamore Inn, 1131 Sandwich Road in Bourne. Special guest will be former state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Geoff Diehl. Suggested donations range from $50 to $1,000.

Plymouth Select Board member John Mahoney, a Democrat, will host a new year’s event from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at Marshland Too restaurant, 315 Cotuit Road, Sandwich.

Mahoney has been endorsed by Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Association of County Employees (the union of Plymouth County correctional officers), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 223, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Union Local 6 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328.

The Plymouth and Barnstable District comprises Bourne, Falmouth and Sandwich in Barnstable County and Kingston, Pembroke and Plymouth in Plymouth County.

The general election is scheduled for March 31.

Races for the Democratic and Republican State committees — one man and one woman in each district — are also on the March 3 ballot.

Incumbent Cape and Islands Republican State Committeewoman Judy Crocker will hold a reelection kickoff event, with deMacedo as special guest, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Riverway Lobster House, 1338 Route 28, South Yarmouth.

Crocker faces a challenge from Andrea St. Germain, of Yarmouth.

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Here’s what some local elected officials were tweeting about during the past week:

State Rep. Timothy Whelan (@TRWhelan), R-Brewster, on Dec. 30:

“Wishing you and yours a happy New Years Eve. As we celebrate entering a new decade, please make good decisions such as having a designated driver or taxi/ride-share. 2020 will be an even better year with you in it. Stay safe. Have fun. “See you next year”. ;-).”

State Sen. Julian Cyr (@JulianCyr), D-Truro, on Dec. 30:

“I had a terrific recent visit to Orleans Elementary School, where I joined a conversation on mental health in local schools across Cape Cod. Thanks to Principal Pender + Superintendent Conrad for hosting us.”

SHOOT FROM THE LIP, CONVICTED FELON RON BEATY CAN ALWAYS BE COUNTED ON TO WRITE SOMETHING DUMB! 

Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. (@ronbeatyjr) on Dec. 26:

″‘White Privilege?’ ... there is no such thing! Like the #ClimateCrisis fraud, it is just another lie being perpetuated by the radical Democratic Party!”

Ron Beaty’s Political “Penance” – A Profile