Politics on the Hudson

   Besides casting ballots for president, vice president, Congress, state Legislature and, in many cases, state Supreme Court justice, voters will be asked a ballot question on Tuesday.  

   If approved, the constitutional amendment would provide disabled veterans who served during wartime with 10 extra points on original civil service exams, even if they’re not collecting disability benefits. Current law allows preference to be given only if a veteran is receiving disability payments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

   About 745,000 of almost 1.1 million veterans living in New York in September 2006 had served during wartime.

   Voters often miss ballot questions, which typically are placed above or below the lists of candidates.