1982 Massachusetts elections
A Massachusetts general election was held on November 2, 1982 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The election included: Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 14, 1982. Statewide elections. United States Senator. Democratic incumbent Ted Kennedy was re-elected over Republican Ray Shamie and Libertarian Howard S. Katz. Governor & Lieutenant Governor. Democrats Michael Dukakis and John Kerry were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, over Republican candidates John W. Sears and Leon Lombardi. Attorney General. Democrat Francis X. Belotti was elected Attorney General. He defeated Republican Richard L. Wainwright and Libertarian Michael Reilly  in the general election. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly defeated Republican Jody DeRoma Dow and Libertarian Robin D. Zazula in the general election. Treasurer and Receiver-General. Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane defeated Barnstable County Treasurer Mary J. LeClair and Libertarian Freda L. Nason in the general election. Auditor. Incumbent Auditor John J. Finnegan defeated Republican Michael S. Robertson and Libertarian Donald E. Washburn in the general election. Ballot questions. Question 1. Proposed Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would remove the constitutional prohibition against the use of  public funds to aid or maintain private primary or secondary schools. Question 2. Proposed Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to enact laws authorizing the state courts to impose the death penalty on the conviction of crimes to be specified by the law. Question 3. Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - would require that before the construction or operation of any nuclear power plant or low-level radioactive waste storage or disposal facility in the Commonwealth, the legislature must make certain findings and a majority of voters must approve the facility at a statewide election . Question 4. Referendum on an Existing Law - The law requires that a refundable deposit be paid for certain beverage containers sold in Massachusetts.