MA 2024 General Election Voter Guide: Candidates, Ballot Questions, Where To Vote

MASSACHUSETTS — As the nation goes to the polls to elect the next president on Nov. 5, Massachusetts voters will have their say on their representatives on Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill, as well as five hotly contested ballot questions, local initiatives, and races for Governor's Council, Register of Deeds and Clerk of Courts.

The biggest statewide race is for U.S. Senate where Republican U.S. Marine veteran, attorney and author John Deaton is challenging incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren.

Deaton positioned himself as a moderate Republican in the primary and the message led to a trouncing of his two opponents with Deaton earning about two-thirds of the vote. Warren, who ran for president in 2020, is considered one of the most progressive members of the U.S. Senate and is the state's senior senator.

While most of the races for Congress are uncontested, Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch has a challenge from Republican Robert Burke in the 8th Congressional District and Democrat U.S. Rep. Bill Keating has a challenge from Republican Dan Sullivan in the 9th Congressional District.

Two other incumbents have independent challengers with Nadia Milleron challenging U.S. Rep. Richard Neal in the 1st Congressional District and independent Cornelius Shea challenging U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern in the 2nd Congressional District.

Much of the political airwaves in Massachusetts — when not being dominated by New Hampshire election ads — have centered around the five statewide ballot questions.

Question 1: State Auditor's Authority to Audit the Legislature

A "Yes" vote would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature. Those in favor argue that expanding the auditor's authority with respect to the legislature would lead to a better and more transparent government by eliminating the only government body exempt from that authority.

A "No" vote would make no change in the law relative to the State Auditor's authority. Those against argue that giving a member of the executive branch that authority would violate the separation of powers in state government.

Question 2: The Elimination of the MCAS as a High School Graduation Requirement

A "Yes" vote would eliminate passing the standardized MCAS exam as a requirement to receive a high school diploma in the state. Those in favor argue that the MCAS is not an accurate measure of a student's achievement, which adversely affects students who learn differently and do not test well, and that grades and teacher assessments of progress are more appropriate gauges of whether a student deserves to graduate than a "once-size-fits-all" exam.

A "No" vote would maintain MCAS as a graduation requirement. Those against the question argue that setting minimum standards for graduation is an important way to ensure that students who graduate are best prepared to succeed and that eliminating them would lead to more inequity between districts and student learning experiences.

Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers

A "Yes" vote would provide Uber, Lyft and other transportation network drivers better opportunities to unionize and collectively bargain for wages and benefits. Supporters argue that the ability to collectively bargain would provide more protection and better working conditions for drivers, and thus a better experience for customers.

A "No" vote would make no change in the law. Those against the passage argue that it would increase expenses for customers while making drivers subject to the pressure and costs of unionization without substantially improving their working conditions

Question 4: Limited Legalization of Certain Psychedelic Substances

A "Yes" vote would allow residents over age 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision and to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their homes and would create a commission to regulate those substances. Supporters argue that these substances — such as psychedelic mushrooms — provide a legitimate and potentially life-changing benefit for those suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety and other treatment-resistant illnesses.

A "No" vote would not change the law prohibiting those substances. Those against its passage argue that the proliferation of these substances presents an inherent danger to society, can create an atmosphere for abuse, and could lead to increased cases of intoxicated driving under the influence of substances that are not easily identified or regulated.

Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

A "Yes" vote would gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped workers (currently $6.75) each year to reach the state minimum wage (currently $15.50) by 2029. Supporters of the change argue that making servers, bartenders and other hospitality employees "work for tips" to reach a minimum income level is discriminatory, allows for the exploitation of workers, and can lead to the sexual harassment of workers feeling pressured to act or dress a certain way to ensure and enhance their income.

A "No" vote would make changes in the law. Those against the change argue that the current system of tipping works to increase take-home income for the vast majority of those in the industry and rewards "accomplished" members of the industry who are responsible for building and maintaining a customer base. Opponents argue the increased employee costs would be passed down to customers while service would diminish without the incentive of tips — a custom opponents fear will fade away as the law becomes established. Those against the law also oppose a provision that includes a business owner's ability to "pool" tips among all staff instead of requiring that money goes directly to the person for whom it was intended.

The full text of each of the ballot questions can be found here.

Voting Times, Places

• Polls open statewide at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m.
• Find your polling place here
• Check if you're registered to vote here

Voting By Mail?

If you're voting by mail and have already submitted your ballot — either by mail, dropbox, clerk's office or early voting site — then you should be all set. You can check if your ballot has been counted here.

But if you're waiting until Election Day, your best bet is to drop your ballot either in a box (those close at 8 p.m.) or at your clerk's office. Putting them in the mail on Tuesday is likely too late, and you can't drop the ballots off at polling sites.

Early voting also began in cities and towns across the state on Oct. 19 and will wrap up in most communities on Nov. 1.

Who and what is on the ballot?

Along with the races and ballot questions listed above, there are local ballot initiatives, some municipal races and races for Governor's Council, Register of Deeds and Clerk of Courts.

Check back with your Patch for statewide election results after the polls close on Nov. 5