Elections: Voices from the streets

On November 2nd, the 2010 Boston ballots will include the following candidates for governor: Charles Baker (Republican), Timothy Cahill (Independent), Deval Patrick (Democratic), and Jill Stein (Green-Rainbow).  In addition, it will include the following three questions: 1) Should the alcohol tax be repealed? 2) Should the state law allow the issuance of a single comprehensive permit to build units that includes low- or moderate-income housing be repealed? 3) Should state sales tax be reduced to 3%?

After conducting a random survey, focusing on Asian Americans, 78% of the people were aware that there will be an election in November. Only 22% were not aware of any elections.  Here are some thoughts from people on the streets.

Name: Kenneth Li

Age: 21

Residence: Boston

Language: Chinese and English

Are you registered to vote? Yes

Do you support any particular candidate(s) and why? I would vote for Deval Patrick because he is a Democrat.

Are there any changes or bills you are hoping to pass?  I would no on Question 1 because I don’t want to promote drinking.  Also I would vote no Question 2 because I grew up in affordable housing and I think repealing Question 2 would decrease the amount of affordable housing.  I would vote Yes to Question 3.

Name: Huong Nguyen

Age: 25

Residence: Dorchester

Language: Vietnamese, English

Are you registered to vote? Yes Do you support any particular candidate(s) and why? I vote along party lines Are there any changes or bills you are hoping to pass?  I am looking forward to Voting No on Questions 1 and 3.  I do NOT want to repeal the tax on alcoholic beverages (Question 1) because these taxes help to fund many addiction treatments/programs.  I also do not want to cut the sales tax in half (Question 3) because doing so would deprive communities revenue to provide for much-needed services.

Name: Sau Truong Age: 58 Residence: East Boston Language: Chinese, Vietnamese, and English Are you registered to vote? Yes Do you support any particular candidate(s) and why? Deval Patrick because I think he is doing a good job as governor right now. Are there any changes or bills you are hoping to pass?  I don’t really understand question 2, but I would vote no on Question 1 and yes on Question 3. I do not want to repeal taxes on alcohol because I believe eventually something else would be taxed.  Alcohol is not a necessity.  I think better on alcohol than on something else.

Diana Li is a Sampan correspondent.