Senior Digital Editor/Producer, WCVB.com
BOSTON —
Massachusetts voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on nine statewide ballot questions and key races, including governor and U.S. Senate. It’s part of the midterm election that could shape the balance of power in Congress and the direction for the country during the second half of President Donald Trump’s term. Follow our live updates throughout Election Day and scroll down for a guide to everything you need to know about voting in the Bay State.
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Where to vote
Polling places are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some could open as early as 5:45 a.m.
To find your polling place, enter your street address into THIS TOOL from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.
Who can vote
There is no same-day registration for voters in Massachusetts, although one of the questions on the ballot could change that.
Voters are required to register 10 days before an election. In this case, the deadline was 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Those who requested a mail-in ballot can still vote in person if:
You applied to vote by mail, but never returned your ballotYou mailed your ballot back, but it hasn’t reached your local election officeYour ballot was received by your local election office, but it was rejected
Polls close at 8 p.m., but anyone already in line before the deadline will be allowed to vote. Tabulation of ballots begins only after polls close.
What’s on the ballotNine statewide ballot questionsU.S. SenatorU.S. RepresentativeGovernor and Lieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretary of StateTreasurerAuditorGovernor’s CouncillorState SenatorState RepresentativeDistrict AttorneyRegister of ProbateCounty Commissioner (certain counties only)County Treasurer (certain counties only)Sheriff (Franklin County – to fill vacancy)Additional local offices (vary by community) Voter registration
The total number of voters in Massachusetts grew by more than 100,000 between the deadlines for the September primary and the general election, according to data provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.
Voters are required to register 10 days before an election, although one of the questions on the ballot could change that. In this case, the deadline was 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 24.
According to the latest count, 5.2 million people are registered to vote in the general election. Of those, 24.17% are registered Democrats, 7.82% are registered Republicans and 67.11% are unenrolled.
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National balance of power
Democrats are hoping that voters give them control of at least one chamber of Congress in this midterm election, and several New England races could play a role in deciding that contest. Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are all voting for a U.S. Senator.
In order for the Democrats to take control of the U.S. Senate, they would need to win 17 seats. Control of the U.S. House is held by whichever party holds at least 218 seats.