Democracy, guns and marijuana: Here are the questions on your ballot this November

The last time Massachusetts voters were asked to decide on nine separate ballot initiatives, Gov. Bill Weld was seeking reelection, the Big Dig was in its infancy and Massachusetts resident and figure skater Nancy Kerrigan had just been attacked on the ice a few months before. That was 1994. Things have changed a lot in the Bay State, the nation and the world. This year, the nine ballot questions focus largely on democracy and transparency, with guns, cannabis and state revenue limits thrown in as well. Here are the nine ballot questions approved for November's ballot: Question 1: Public records law Currently, Massachusetts lawmakers and the governor's office are protected from the state's standard public records law. If Question 1 passes, that would change. The measure is being brought to the voters by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who brought forth the legislature audit ballot question that passed two years ago. Question 2: Collective bargaining for public defenders The Committee of Public Council Services includes the state's licensed public defenders, and if Question 2 passes, they will be allowed to engage in collective bargaining for the first time. And the CPCS would be required to request funding from the governor's office for contracts within 30 days of an agreement. Question 3: Combining primary elections Currently, there's a primary for each political party operating in the state. But Question 3, also promoted by Auditor DiZoglio, would change it to one primary including every party. And the top two vote-getters would move on to the general election. If it passes, it could improve voter turnout in some years if there are two popular candidates from the same party, but it could have lasting impacts on Republicans' chances of winning the governor seat or either U.S. Senate seats. Question 4: Election Day registration Currently, you have to register to vote 10 days or more before an election. But early voting now starts before then. Question 4, if approved, would allow you to register to vote the same day you vote. Question 5: State revenue limit change Do you remember a few years ago, when the state took in so much money that they had to give some back to taxpayers, per an obscure law passed in the 1980s? The law requires that the state's revenue be limited to the sum of the state tax revenue limit for the prior tax year and the average growth of wages and salaries over the past three years. Backers of Question 5 hope to change that law. If it passes, there would still be a state revenue limit. But that limit would be equal to the sum of the net amount of state revenue the year before and the average growth of wages and salaries in the state over the past three years. The switch factors in wages instead of state tax revenues. Question 6: Natural resource conservation funds Gov. Healey stopped by Newton recently to show support for Question 6. If voters approve it, Question 6 would create a state fund to be used for nature conservation, funded by tax revenues from sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses. Building a home requires a certain amount of land under state and local zoning policy, but Question 7 seeks to upend that so we can fit more houses on smaller areas of land. If it passes, cities and towns would have to allow single-family homes on residential lots that have 5,000 square feet of land, have more than 50 feet of frontage area on a street or public way, and have access to public sewer and water. Congressman Jake Auchincloss is campaigning for this initiative. Question 8: Repeal of recreational cannabis legalization In 2016, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question that leagalized recreational use and sale of cannabis in the state. Ten years later, after a decade of rules creation under the Cannabis Control Commission and the establishment of countless cannabis businesses across the commonwealth, there's a new ballot question to repeal that. Proponents say cannabis is too accessible and a danger to kids. But if it passes, the cannabis industry would be dismantled along with part of the state and local economies. This one is a 'veto' referendum. In 2023, the state legislature introduced a law that required electronic registration of all firearms owned in or transported into the state, banning 'ghost guns' without serial numbers, and more. Question 9 this election seeks to block that bill from advancing and becoming law.