Warrant for 1980 State Election Featuring Historic Tax-Limitation Ballot Questions-October 27, 1980

Norwood Selectmen Publish Official Warrant and Polling Locations

The Board of Selectmen—comprising William J. Plasko, Walter J. Dempsey, Mary J. Fox, and John F. Kinnally—officially published the warrant for the upcoming Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 1980.

Voting will take place across six town precincts from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.:

• Precinct A: Oldham School
• Precinct B: Aaron Guild Building
• Precinct C: Cleveland School
• Precinct D: Balch School
• Precinct E: Callahan School
• Precinct F: Prescott School

In addition to voting for Electors of President and Vice President, U.S. Representative in Congress (9th District), Councillor (2nd District), Senator in General Court (Norfolk and Suffolk District), Representative in General Court (12th Norfolk District), two Norfolk County Commissioners, and the Norfolk County Sheriff, Norwood voters will decide on six statewide ballot questions.

Landmark Ballot Questions Presented to Voters

• Question 1 (Constitutional Amendment – Non-Discrimination Against Handicapped Persons): A proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination against otherwise qualified handicapped individuals in any program or activity within the Commonwealth.
• Question 2 (Initiative Petition – “Proposition 2½” Tax Limitation): The highly anticipated tax-limitation initiative petition that would cap local real estate and personal property taxes at 2½% of full and fair cash value, require annual 15% tax reductions for communities exceeding that threshold, limit annual tax levy increases to 2½%, mandate state funding for municipal mandates, repeal compulsory binding arbitration for police and fire labor disputes, reduce the motor vehicle excise tax rate to $25 per thousand, and allow a state income tax deduction for renters.
• Question 3 (Alternative Initiative Petition – Property Tax & State Tax Limits): A competing tax initiative seeking to limit annual local property tax and state tax growth based on the percentage increase in Massachusetts personal income, while requiring the Commonwealth to gradually increase its share of local educational funding to 50% by 1984.
• Question 4 (Referendum – Legislative & Executive Salary Increases): A referendum on 1979 legislation raising annual base salaries for state legislators (ranging from $20,335 to $55,920 for top leadership) and constitutional officers, including an increase in the Governor’s salary to $60,000.
• Question 5 (Constitutional Amendment – Unfunded Municipal Mandates): A constitutional amendment limiting the state legislature’s ability to impose additional employment-related costs on cities and towns without local acceptance, a two-thirds legislative vote, or full state assumption of expenses.
• Question 6 (Constitutional Amendment – Emergency Law Procedure): A constitutional amendment allowing the General Court to declare emergency laws by voice vote rather than requiring a recorded roll call vote.

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• Headline: Board of Selectmen Issue Warrant for 1980 State Election Featuring Historic Tax-Limitation Ballot Questions
• Excerpt: Norwood Selectmen published the official warrant for the Nov. 4, 1980 State Election, outlining polling locations and key statewide ballot questions including Proposition 2½.
• Categories: Municipal Government, Town History, Elections & Voting, Town Politics
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Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger