Massachusetts is no swing state, but voters will soon cast ballots in this year’s consequential general election. Beyond the showdown for U.S. president, they’ll make their voices heard on a slew of intriguing ballot questions and other races.
In the 2020 presidential election, a record 76% of registered voters in Massachusetts took part — even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, the state’s 11 electoral votes went for President Biden, who received 66% of votes, compared to former President Donald Trump’s 33%. (Massachusetts’ electoral votes have gone to the Democratic presidential candidate since 1988.)
Dates to know:
- Registration deadline: Oct. 26
- Apply to vote by mail: Oct. 29
- Early voting: Oct. 19-Nov. 1
- Election Day: Nov. 5
This year, the race between Trump and Vice President Harris nationally is extremely close, though it’s less of a nail-biter in deep blue Massachusetts, according to a WBUR poll.
Down the ballot, there’s a battle for a U.S. Senate seat. Republican John Deaton is challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren. U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating face Republican challengers as well. And depending where you live, there could be competitive races for state Legislature, Governor’s Council and other county positions.
The five statewide ballot initiatives before voters could reshape executive branch powers, high school graduation requirements, labor laws for Lyft and Uber drivers, access to psychedelic drugs and restaurant workers’ pay.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, but there are many ways to exercise your right to vote ahead of the deadline. Here’s what to know about your voting options and who is on the ballot.
Register to vote
You must be registered to vote by Oct. 26 at 11:59 p.m. It’s a good idea to double check that you’re registered to vote at your current address here.
In Massachusetts, you can be automatically registered to vote by the RMV or the state’s Health Connector.
When you apply or renew your driver’s license, get a learner’s permit, apply for MassHealth benefits or for other health insurance through the Health Connector, you’ll be automatically registered to vote at the address provided in those systems. But note that if you are just updating your address through the RMV or Health Connector (not re-applying or renewing), you’ll still need to submit a new voter registration form for your new address.
If you’re a new citizen, you can register to vote as soon as you’re naturalized. However, you need to register via a paper form by mail or in person until you update your proof of citizenship with the state. If your citizenship ceremony falls after the Oct. 26 deadline, but before 4 p.m. on Nov. 4 (the day before Election Day), you may register to vote in person at your local election office. Remember to bring proof that your ceremony took place after the voter registration deadline.
Click here for details on registering online, by mail or in person.
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3 ways to vote
Whether voting by mail, early or on Election Day, voters in 19 cities and towns in Massachusetts have the option to request a multilingual ballot. Under federal law, municipalities with a certain amount of non-English speakers will provide ballots in the group’s native language.
Vote by mail
If you choose to vote by mail, there’s a two-step process:
Apply for your mail-in ballot before Oct. 29
The state sends registered voters a paper application by mail. Fill it out, and mail it back. The state recommends doing so at least two to three weeks before Election Day to allow for any postal delays.
Alternatively, you can apply online here. You also can email or fax your application, but make sure to sign it (no typed signatures).
Cast your ballot before Nov. 5
Fill your ballot out, and sign it. You have a few options — with different deadlines — to send your vote in.
First, as implied, you can mail your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service. Here’s what to know:
- Your ballot must be postmarked on Nov. 5 and arrive to election officials by Nov. 8 at 5 p.m.
- Leave plenty of time. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot at least a week before the state’s deadline.
- You cannot submit a mail-in ballot at your polling location on Election Day.
- If you’re mailing an absentee ballot from outside the U.S., the ballot needs to be postmarked on Nov. 5, but election officials will still count it if they get it by Nov. 15.
Below are alternate ways you can deliver your mail-in ballot, as long as you do it by the drop-off deadline, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.:
- Drop it in an official ballot drop box. (See locations here.)
- Bring your ballot to an early voting location.
- Put it in the hands of a worker at your local election office. (Find your town or city’s office here.)
If you’ve submitted your vote-by-mail ballot well in advance of Election Day, check out the state’s Track My Ballot tool to ensure your vote was accepted.
If there was an issue and your ballot was rejected, you can still head to your polling location on Election Day to vote. (Your vote will only be counted once. If your mail-in ballot reaches your local election office after you vote in person, the mail-in ballot will be discarded.)
Vote early, in person
There are opportunities to cast your ballot in person in every municipality across the state, and communities offer weekend times as well. Early voting runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1.
Each town or city has its own hours and dates so check with your local election office for details. Unlike Election Day, you may cast your ballot at any early voting location in your municipality.
Vote on Election Day
Election Day is officially on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. statewide. Find your polling place here; some may offer expanded hours.
Whether voting early or on Election Day, there are only limited reasons why a poll worker may need to ask for your identification. Those reasons include if it’s your first time voting in the state or if you’re on an inactive voter list. If you don’t have your ID handy and are asked for it, you can cast your ballot as a “challenged ballot” and return with your ID before polls close.
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What races are on the ballot?
U.S. president and vice president
In what was originally a rematch of 2020, the contest for president got a historic shakeup when President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to run in his place. Now, Harris, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are atop the Democratic ticket, facing former Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Voters in Massachusetts will see six names appear on their ballot for president. In addition to Harris and Trump, Shiva Ayyadurai is running as an independent; Claudia De la Cruz is a Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate; Chase Oliver is competing as a Libertarian; and Jill Stein will represent the Green-Rainbow Party.
In Massachusetts, state law requires candidates to be listed in alphabetical order by last name.
The statewide ballot questions
- Question 1: Should the state auditor have the authority to audit the state Legislature? Read our explainer on this initiative, here.
- Question 2: Should the state eliminate the standardized MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement? Read about the debate on this issue and what would change if enacted, here.
- Question 3: Should drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft be allowed to unionize to collectively bargain for wages, benefits and work conditions? Dig into this question, and what it would mean for riders, workers and the companies, here.
- Question 4: Should adults be allowed to use natural psychedelics under licensed supervision? This question also asks if adults should be allowed to grow limited quantities of the substance at their residences. Read our explainer, here.
- Question 5: Should tipped workers, like restaurant servers, earn the state’s minimum wage? Read about how this initiative would work, and the arguments on both sides, here.
Other statewide races
- U.S. Senate: Republican John Deaton, an attorney and retired Marine, is trying to unseat Sen. Elizabeth Warren. (Listen to WBUR’s interview with Deaton, here.) Warren, the state’s senior U.S. senator, is seeking her third term. (Listen to WBUR’s interview with Warren, here.)
- U.S. House of Representatives: Democratic incumbents in District 8 and 9 are facing Republican challengers. Republican Robert Burke hopes to unseat Rep. Stephen Lynch in District 8, while Republican Dan Sullivan is challenging Rep. Bill Keating in District 9. In Districts 1 and 2, candidates from outside the two major parties are vying to defeat the Democratic incumbents. In District 1, Anthony Celata (no party) and unenrolled candidate Nadia Milleron will face each other and incumbent Rep. Richard Neal. In District 2, independent candidate Cornelius Shea is up against incumbent Rep. Jim McGovern.
Potential races in your town or city
- Governor’s Council: In District 2, the Democratic incumbent is facing a challenger. And Districts 5 and 7 are open seats. See the candidates here.
- State senator: Out of 40 seats, there are fewer than a dozen contests this year. Two open seats have races, and nine incumbents have challengers. (There is one additional open seat that has no contest.) Find out who is running across the state here.
- State representative: Only about one-fourth of the 160-seat House of Representatives will have contests at the ballot box this year. Check who is running across the state here.
- Register of deeds: This official, who serves a six-year term, is tasked with maintaining land records in your county.
- Clerk of courts: This official also serves a six-year term and is responsible for maintaining court proceedings.
- County commissioner: This role varies county to county, but is essentially responsible for for managing county-wide services or maintaining county infrastructure like courthouses. This role will be on the ballot in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Franklin, Norfolk and Plymouth counties.
- Register of probate: This role acts as clerk for the probate judge. There are races in Hampshire and Suffolk counties.
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On Election Day, Nov. 5, WBUR will cover everything you need to know, from voting to live election results. Election officials have already signaled that patience may be necessary. The race for president is a dead heat that’s unlikely to be called on election night.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
