So for all the talk about the governor's race here, I should mention that we do have three ballot questions to vote on.

The first is a measure that would allow grocery stores and related outlets to sell wine. Proponents of the question say it will give consumers more choice and lower prices through competition. Opponents argue that this measure would lead to an increase in drunk driving and the attendant accidents/injury/fatalities that come with it.

Standing lightly off to the side are the large supermarket chains and the liquor distributors, both of whom are looking to their bottom lines. Most of the money for ads are coming from these folks.

Question 2 would allow candidates for office to be listed on ballots multiple times, once for each party that puts the candidate forward. For example, if the Democrats and the Green party were to have the same candidate for governor, the candidate would be listed twice. Votes would be tallied by party, with all of the votes counting for the candidate. There are also some other changes to election laws, related to candidate party enrollment history and what level of voter support a party needs to be officially recognized by the state.

Proponents say that this will allow voters to support smaller parties while voting for a more viable candidate. Opponents point to the likelihood of voter confusion.

Question 3 would allow child care workers who participate in state-subsidized child care to bargain collectively with the state. Where both previous questions had someone writing pro and con blurbs, apparently no one felt strongly enough against this measure to write something on why we should vote against it. You think there'd be some anti-union group who'd bite the bullet.

In some towns, there's also a non-binding question asking if the local state rep should be instructed to vote for a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. We won't get to vote on this one.