Barnstable Election Guide 2012

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Barnstable-Hyannis Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town.

Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near.

Bookmark this page for updates.

Voting Info

* Sample Ballot: To see your sample balot, go to the Massachusetts Secretary of State Election's division website and enter your address in the Precinct Finder.

* Polling Locations: To find polling locations and precincts, click here.

Massachusetts has a front row seat in this year's Presidential election.

State:

• State Rep. 5th Barnstable District (precinct 9),
  R. Patrick Ellis, (D.) and Randy Hunt (R.)

National:

U.S. Congress, District 9
The state lost a Congressional seat, after a population shift was revealed by the U.S. Census. The 10th Congressional District will become the new 9th district.

Congressman William Keating, who moved from his home in Sharon to Quincy in 2010 to run for the seat vacated by William Delahunt when he retired, has now made his summer home in Bourne his residence, so he can run for office in the new 9th district.

Christopher Sheldon is the Republican challenger to the 9th District Congressional Seat. Read our live chat with Sheldon here.

Read Christopher Sheldon's Patch Profile; Congressman Keating has not yet submitted a profile.

U.S. Senate

U.S. Senator Scott Brown met earlier this year with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce to meet with small business owners.

Challenger and Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate Elizabeth Warren also visited Cape Cod as well. The race between Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren has been rough.

Is it politics as usual? What will this mean for Massachusetts?

U.S. President

President Barack Obama is no stranger to Massachusetts, as the Island of Martha's Vineyard has been the President's summer hideaway for the past few years. With a fight ahead of him this November, Obama decided not to return for a family vacation on the Vineyard this summer.

Read the Patch Profile of President Obama here.

Presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts governor, Republican Mitt Romney is a Belmont resident. The Town of Belmont was happy when Romney won the Republican primary, but will he be able to carry the mostly Democratic state once again and this time as President?

Read the Patch Profile of Mitt Romney here.

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian candidate for president. Read Gary Johnson's Patch Profile here.

Ballot Issues:  three ballot questions:

Ballot Question 1: A Law for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana,

Ballot Question 2:An Act Relative to Death with Dignity

Ballot Question 3: An Act to Protect Motor Vehicle Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Motor Vehicles.