Election 2018: Massachusetts Voting Guide

In much of the country, the 2018 midterm election campaign was among the hardest-fought in recent memory. Not so in Massachusetts, where incumbent Gov. Charlie Baker and incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren have long been expected to score easy victories. Nor is much turnover expected in the legislature or Congressional delegation, given the strongly blue hue of the Bay State's electorate.

But Tuesday's voting could offer some clues as to the longterm political viability of Warren and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, both thought to harbor presidential ambitions. And it's anyone's guess how voters will rule on three ballot items, including a highly controversial measure to limit the number of patients nurses could be required to tend in hospitals and similar facilities.

Whatever happens, Patch editors will be on duty all day Tuesday and well into the night to keep you informed.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Massachusetts. Most voters are not required to identify themselves in order to vote, but first-time voters who registered by mail will be asked for ID. Massachusetts does not permit same-day voter registration.

If you are voting absentee, your ballot must be returned to your local election official before polls close on Tuesday.

Here's how to find your polling place.

Here's how to find a personalized sample ballot.

If you need a ride to the polls, here's how to get one.

If you encounter any difficulties while voting -- unusually long lines at the polling place, insufficient ballots, harassment or intimidation by overzealous advocates as you enter -- tell Patch about it and we'll investigate it with our nonprofit partners at ProPublica.

WHAT IS TO BE DECIDED

GOVERNOR: The Democratic challenger, Jay Gonzalez, is considered a heavy underdog against the Republican incumbent, Gov. Charlie Baker

U.S. SENATE: A three-way race pitting incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who has made no secret of her presidential ambitions, vs. Republican Geoff Diehl and independent Shiva Ayyadurai.

U.S. CONGRESS: All nine of the state's congressional seats are held by Democrats, and that is not expected to change after today's election. Patch is covering five of these races Tuesday:

2nd District: A three-way race between Democrat Jim McGovern, Republican Tracy Lovvornand Independent Paul Grady.
3rd District: Another three-way race features Democrat Lori Trahan, Republican Rick Green and Independent Mike Mullen.
5th District: Republican John Hugo hopes to unseat incumbent Democrat Katherine Clark.
6th District: Incumbent Democrat Seth Moulton will try to fend off the GOP's Joseph Schneider.
9th District: Republican businessman Peter Tedeschi hopes to oust 7-term Democrat Bill Keating.

STATE LEGISLATURE

Democrats now hold large majorities in both houses of the legislature, formally known as the General Court. For information on key races for the 40-member State Senate, which Democrats control 31-7 (there are two vacancies), click here. For information on the main contests for the House of Representatives, where Democrats hold 117 of 160 seats, click here.

BALLOT ISSUES

Voters will be asked to decide Tuesday on three statewide issues: a limit on the number of patients a registered nurse could be required to tend; a measure to preserve recent laws offering the LGBTQ community against discrimination; and creation of a citizens commission to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowing regulation of political spending by corporations. Details of all three measures are here.