Springfield Chamber hosts “Understanding Ballot Questions Breakfast” Julia O’Keefe — WWLP

The Springfield Regional Chamber is educating its members on the five Massachusetts ballot questions.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) – The Springfield Regional Chamber is educating its members on the five Massachusetts ballot questions.

Massachusetts voters have to decide on the largest number of statewide ballot questions in years, and it’s important to understand each question fully before hitting the polls. Thursday morning, the Springfield Regional Chamber helped voters do just that at their “Understanding Ballot Questions Breakfast”.

“The questions really have some profound consequences sometimes and so people are often confused by the questions, confused by the wording,” said Springfield Regional Chamber President Diana Szynal. “It’s really important to have as much information as you can before you step into that voting booth.”

This event presented speakers from both sides of the ballot questions, helping voters make informed decisions this election day.

Speakers included Tim Rooke and Jerold Duquette, among others, who took different stances on Question 1, regarding the state auditor’s authority to audit the legislature. The remaining questions include eliminating MCAS test scores as a high school graduation requirement, unionization for rideshare drivers, limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelics, and raising the minimum wage for tipped workers.

Election materials and language can be daunting for some when deciding how to vote. One first-time voter told 22News that this event eased her anxieties prior to voting.

“I feel like events like this really just get all your sources together,” said Emmalee Spear of West Springfield. “You get to see both sides of the situation so you can make an educated decision when voting.”

Attendees will now take all they learned Thursday to the polls on November 5.

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