2020 Massachusetts Election

        Voters in Western Massachusetts are sending some new people to the Massachusetts legislature.  One closely watched race remains too close to call.

   Voters have a few more hours to cast ballots in Massachusetts where representatives on Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill will be elected today.

    History will be made in Springfield, Massachusetts today where the first person of Puerto Rican descent will be elected to the State Senate.

After winning a contentious Democratic primary over Congressman Joe Kennedy III in September, Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey is in line to win a second six-year term in Tuesday’s general election.

On the heels of his vote against the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey campaigned in Pittsfield Tuesday.

The September 1st primary settled a lot as far as who will represent western Massachusetts in the state legislature beginning in January. For the November election, there are just a few closely watched races for House seats.

Yesterday, we examined the argument in support of Question One on the Massachusetts ballot, the “’Right to Repair Law’ Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative.” Today, we’ll hear the argument against it. Conor Yunits is the spokesperson for the No On One campaign, the Coalition For Safe And Secure Data. He made his case to WAMC.

Earlier this month, we examined the arguments for and against a ranked choice voting system — Question Two on the Massachusetts ballot. Now, we’re focusing on Question One, the “’Right to Repair Law’ Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative.” Tommy Hickey is the director of the Right To Repair coalition, a group of 4,000 independent and local auto parts and repair shops – as well as consumers and drivers – who support Question One. He spoke with WAMC to make his case.

Question 2 on this November’s ballot in Massachusetts asks voters if they want to adopt a ranked choice voting system in time for the 2022 elections. Earlier this week, we brought you an interview with a supporter of ranked choice voting. The No On 2 committee is opposed to the move, saying that with races for governor, Congress and the state house, too much is at stake for a new process they define as deeply flawed.  WAMC talked with spokesperson Anthony Amore – who unsuccessfully ran for Secretary of State as a Republican against Democrat William Galvin in 2018 – about why he disagrees with advocates who say ranked choice voting would better represent voter wishes.

On Election Day, Massachusetts voters will decide whether they want to adopt a ranked choice voting system in 2022. That election will feature races for governor, Congress and the state house. Evan Falchuk, chair of the Yes On 2 campaign, tells WAMC that the ability to rank politicians in the order of their preference would result in elections that more accurately represent the majority of voters and level the playing field for candidates.

Kevin O’Connor is the Republican challenging Democratic U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s reelection bid in November’s general election. The lawyer and father of four says the Markey, who defeated Rep. Joe Kennedy III in the September primary, is an extremist in his own party. O’Connor describes himself as a common sense candidate opposed to career politicians. WAMC spoke with O’Connor after the only debate of the campaign Monday, to discuss O’Connor’s support of President Trump, his defense of privatized healthcare and how he plans to win over voters in a staunchly blue state.

   The two candidates for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts held their only debate of the general election Monday night. 

Voting in the November 3rd general election is likely to begin in Massachusetts next week.

     Massachusetts voters who have not already requested to vote-by-mail for the November election should keep an eye on their mailbox.

Two Springfield City Councilors are poised to go to Beacon Hill in January as state legislators after this week’s Democratic primary results.

Voters across Massachusetts are going to the polls for primary day today.

     With so much attention focused on the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts and on the First District Congressional race, some state primaries have received scant attention.

    Over 1 million Massachusetts voters have applied to vote by mail in the September 1st primaries.

            In a Super Tuesday stunner, Joe Biden won Massachusetts.

Democratic presidential front-runner Bernie Sanders is making a big push for votes in Massachusetts ahead of the state’s primary on Tuesday. 

The longest-serving current member of the western Massachusetts state legislative delegation is retiring.

U.S. Senator Ed Markey and his Democratic primary challenger Congressman Joe Kennedy sparred on several topics during their first broadcast debate last night.

   This is an important day on the 2020 election calendar in Massachusetts.

After a more than a 20-year career in politics in the largest city in western Massachusetts, State Representative Jose Tosado of Springfield said he is going to retire.

         Another state legislator from western Massachusetts is calling it quits.

     A Democratic state representative from western Massachusetts is not going to run for re-election.