The goal of this guide is to bring you, in one place, all the essential information you need to vote in Newton Tuesday:

Voting Info

• Sample Ballot: To see your sample ballot, check out the .pdfs to the right.
• Polling locations: The Newton Elections Department has a handy tool that helps you figure out your ward, precinct and polling location. You can also check our quick list here.
• Absentee ballots. Looking to vote early or absentee? Check out information from the Newton Elections Department. 
• Last day to register. Is Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Races

Local

• Middlesex Clerk of Courts - Democrat Michael Sullivan of Cambridge faces no challenger.
• Middlesex Sheriff - Acting Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, a Democrat from Waltham faces Independent Ernesto Petrone, of Everett.
• Register of Deeds, Middlesex Southern District - Democrat Maria Curtatone of Somerville faces no challenger.

State

• State Representative, 10th Middlesex - Incumbent John Lawn, a Watertown Democrat, faces Republican challenger Francis Stanton of Waltham.
• State Representative, 11th Middlesex - Incumbent Kay Khan, a Newton Democrat, faces Republican challenger and Newton Alderman Greer Tan Swiston.
• State Representative, 12th Middlesex - Incumbent Ruth Balser, a Newton Democrat, is running uncontested.
• State Senate - First Middlesex and Norfolk - Incumbent Cindy Creem, a Newton Democrat, is running uncontested.
• Governor's Council - District 3 - Incumbent Marilyn Devaney, a Watertown Democrat, will face Tom Sheff, a Newton Independent. There has been quite a bit of conversation with the candidates in Newton Patch's Local Voices blog section -- check it out!

National

• U.S. Congress - Fourth District - As one of the region's political hot spots, Newton is a focal point for this year's Fourth Congressional District race. The seat is open this year as Newton Congressman Barney Frank announced his retirement late last year. This year, Democrat Joe Kennedy III will face off against Norfolk Republican Sean Bielat. 
• U.S. Senate - It started out as a race with many candidates (including Newton Mayor Setti Warren), but the U.S. Senate race has come down to just two names: Republican incumbent Scott Brown and Democratic Challenger Elizabeth Warren.
• U.S. President - Incumbent Barack Obama, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Mitt Romney and Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson.

Ballot Issues

Read a full summary of all three ballot questions here. 

Question 1: Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information : This law would require all car manufacturers to provide — on an equitable fair-market value subscription basis — all diagnostic and repair information for model years beginning in 2015 to owners or an owner’s designated in-state independent repair facility (not affiliated with a manufacturer or its authorized dealers). The law would also make available for purchase information for model years 2002 through 2014.

Question 2: Prescribing Medication to End Life: This law "would allow a physician licensed in Massachusetts to prescribe medication, at a terminally ill patient’s request, to end that patient’s life." The act would require that patients are mentally capable of making this decision and orally communicate it to a doctor on two occasions 15 days apart. Participation by a doctor or health care facility would be voluntary.

Question 3: Medical Use of Marijuana: This law "would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients." It would also allow patients to possess a 60-day supply of marijuana and would establish at least one in each county but no more than 35 "treatment centers" throughout the state in 2013.