Early voting in Franklin County, North Quabbin starts Oct. 19
Published: 10-15-2024 6:22 PM
Modified: 10-17-2024 9:18 AM |
Voters from across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region will hit the polls in droves on Election Day, Nov. 5, but for those who want to avoid the crowds, every municipality is offering early voting hours, with the earliest opportunity for some towns happening on Oct. 19.
The main draw is obvious, as voters will be asked to cast their vote for president, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. Other candidates on the ballot include Independent Shiva Ayyadurai, Party for Socialism and Liberation candidate Claudia De la Cruz, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver and Green-Rainbow Party nominee Jill Stein.
For the U.S. Senate, voters will choose between incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican nominee John Deaton, of Swansea.
The vast majority of voters in western Massachusetts are part of the 8th District for the Governor’s Council, with incumbent Democrat Tara Jacobs of North Adams running unopposed. The Governor’s Council provides advice and consent on topics such as the confirmation of judges and commutation of sentences.
Most of Franklin County and the North Quabbin will be asked to vote for a U.S congressman in the 2nd Congressional District. Longtime incumbent Democrat Jim McGovern of Worcester is being challenged by Cornelius Shea, an Independent candidate from Shrewsbury.
Franklin County residents in Charlemont, Hawley, Monroe and Rowe will instead see the 1st Congressional District race between longtime incumbent Democrat Richard Neal and Independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.
In the 2nd Franklin District, which includes Greenfield Precincts 1 through 4 and 9, as well as Gill, Northfield, Warwick, Orange and the Worcester County towns of Royalston, Athol and Phillipston, incumbent Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, is facing a second challenge from Republic Jeffrey Raymond of Athol, whom she defeated in 2022.
Democrat incumbent Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, who represents the 1st Franklin District, is running unopposed.
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Fellow Democratic incumbent Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, will be unopposed on the ballot for voters in Shutesbury, which falls in the 7th Hampden District.
In the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District, Democrat incumbent Paul Mark is facing a challenge from Republican David Rosa, a Dighton resident who said he plans to move to the district prior to Election Day.
Democratic state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, is running unopposed again for the 25-community Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District.
The other races that will come before voters are all single-candidate races. Greenfield resident Benjamin Simanski is unopposed as the Democratic candidate for Franklin County’s clerk of courts. Incumbent Democrat Scott Cote of Greenfield is running unopposed for his seat as the Franklin District’s register of deeds. Montague resident and incumbent Council of Governments Executive Committee member Jay DiPucchio, a Democrat, is also running for reelection unopposed.
It is a similar situation for Worcester County, with Clerk of Courts Dennis McManus and Register of Deeds Kathryn Toomey, both Democratic incumbents, running for reelection.
Five ballot questions will come before all Massachusetts voters.
The first proposes giving the state auditor the authority to audit the Legislature.
Question 2 proposes eliminating the requirement that a student must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test to receive a high school diploma. Instead, students would need to complete coursework certified by their school district that demonstrates mastery of subjects contained in the state’s academic standards.
The third question would allow transportation network drivers to form unions to collectively bargain with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work.
Question 4 would allow limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychoactive substances in the state, allowing them to be grown, possessed and used by those ages 21 or older.
Question 5 would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers from $6.75, excluding tips, to $15, excluding tips, over the course of five years. Currently, if a tipped worker’s $6.75 hourly wage plus their tips do not add up to a $15 per hour wage, their employer is required to pay them the difference. This would still be the case through the end of 2028, should the measure pass. The proposed law would permit employers to calculate this difference over the entire weekly or biweekly payroll period.
Athol — Town Hall, 584 Main St. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 21 through 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 30 and 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to noon.
Ashfield — Town Hall, 412 Main St. Oct. 19, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 23 and 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct. 30 and 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bernardston — Town Hall, 38 Church St. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,; Oct. 23, 3 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, 2 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 30, 3 to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Buckland — Town Hall, 17 State St. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to noon; Oct. 23, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Oct. 24, 3 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m.; Oct. 29, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 30, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Oct. 31, noon to 3 p.m.
Charlemont — Town Hall, 157 Main St. Oct. 21 and 22, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 24, 2 to 7 p.m.; Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 26, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 and 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 31, 2 to 7 p.m.; Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Colrain — Town Offices (early voting location only), 55 Main Road. Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 28 and 29, 5 to 9 p.m.
Conway — Town Hall, 5 Academy Hill Road. Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 21, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 23, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 30, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Deerfield — Town Hall, 8 Conway St. Oct. 19, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 21 through Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Erving — Town Hall, 12 East Main St. Oct. 19 and Oct. 21 through Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gill — Town Hall, 325 Main Road. Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 21, Oct. 22 and Oct. 23, 1 to 3 p.m.; Oct. 24, 3 to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, 29 and 30, 1 to 3 p.m.; Oct. 31, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Greenfield — City Hall, 14 Court Square. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 21 through Oct. 25, 9 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Hawley — Town Office, 8 Pudding Hollow Road. Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 22, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 29, noon to 4 p.m.
Heath — Town Clerk’s Office, 18 Jacobs Road. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 22 and 24, 9 a.m to noon; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 29 and 31, 9 a.m. to noon.
Leverett — Town Hall, 9 Montague Road. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 21 through Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Leyden — Town Offices, 7 Brattleboro Road. Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 23, 5 to 8 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 30, 5 to 8 p.m.
Monroe — Town Hall, 3C School St. Oct. 19, Oct. 21, Oct. 22, Oct. 26, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to noon.
Montague — Town Hall Annex, 1 Avenue A. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 21 through Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
New Salem — Town Clerk’s Office, 24 South Main St. Oct. 20 and Oct. 27, noon to 4 p.m.
Northfield — Town Hall, 69 Main St. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 21 through Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 25, 8 to 10 a.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Nov. 1, 8 to 10 a.m.
Orange — Town Hall, 6 Prospect St. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Petersham — Town Hall, 1 South Main St. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 21, 4 to 7 p.m.; Oct. 23, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 28, 4 to 7 p.m.; Oct. 30, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to noon.
Phillipston — Town Hall, 50 The Common. Oct. 20, noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 23, noon to 6 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 29 and Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 30, noon to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rowe — Town Hall, 321 Zoar Road. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 21 through Oct. 24, 8 to 10 a.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, 8 to 10 a.m.
Royalston — Town Clerk’s Office, 5 School St. Oct. 20, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shelburne — Town Hall, 51 Bridge St. Oct. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 21, Oct. 22 and Oct. 24, 1 to 3 p.m.; Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 28, Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, 1 to 3 p.m.; and Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shutesbury — Town Hall, 1 Cooleyville Road. Oct. 19, noon to 5 p.m.; Oct. 21, Oct. 22 and Oct. 23, noon to 2 p.m.; Oct. 24 and 25, 4 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 26, noon to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, noon to 2 p.m.; Oct. 31, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 1, noon to 2 p.m.
Sunderland — Town Offices, 12 School St. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 23, 9 to 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to noon; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 29, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Warwick — Town Hall, 12 Athol Road. Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, 1 to 5 p.m.
Wendell — Town Offices, 9 Morse Village Road. Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Oct. 30, 6 to 8 p.m.
Whately — Town Offices, 4 Sandy Lane. Oct. 19, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 22, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 26 and Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 29, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An earlier version of this article included an incorrect polling location for Leyden. Leyden residents can participate in early voting at the Leyden Town Offices, located at 7 Brattleboro Road.