Proponents of the "Yes" vote, which includes a coalition consumer and power industry advocates, are pouring thousands of dollars into television advertising.

In March of this year, Commonwealth residents received the ability to chose which power company supplies their electricity. Prior to the March change, electric line owners had supplied electricity to customer.

The 1997 law ostensibly cut electric rates as much as 10 percent.

The law also enacted a slew of regulations aimed at restructuring the way power companies do business with each other.

Low-income residents also received added protection against unnecessary rate raises.

Proponents say they support the law because it "gives consumers a guaranteed 15 percent rate cut...breaks up the utility monopoly...and encourages new, cleaner energy sources."

Opponents say the bill bails out failing electric companies and doesn't provide them with incentives to be responsive to their customers.

They note that consumer advocate Ralph Nader called it "One of the biggest consumer ripoffs in Massachusetts history."

And they claim it "discourag[es] development of clean, safe, alternative energy."