Though not every legislator has an opponent, voters in the southern Hilltowns have several choices to make on their Nov. 5 election ballots, or during early voting sessions.
At the top of the ballot is a six-way contest for United States president, featuring major-party candidates Kamala Harris (D-California) and Donald Trump (R-Florida). Other presidential candidates on Massachusetts ballots are Shiva Ayyadurai (independent), Claudia de la Cruz (Socialism and Liberation), Chase Oliver (Libertarian) and Jill Stein (Green-Rainbow).
Both federal legislators on local ballots have opponents. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Cambridge) is facing a challenge from cryptocurrency lawyer John Deaton (R-Swansea). U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) is being challenged by independent candidate Nadia Milleron of Sheffield. The senator will serve a six-year term and the representative will serve a two-year term.
For state senator, residents of the district that includes Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Otis and Tolland can choose from two options: incumbent state Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket) and challenger David Rosa (R-Dighton). In the district that includes Montgomery and Russell, there is only one choice on the ballot, incumbent John Velis (D-Westfield). State senators serve a two-year term.
For state representative, most of the Hilltowns have no choice to make, as state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) has no opponent on the ballot in his run for another two-year term. Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs (D-North Adams), whose district covers most of Western Massachusetts, is likewise unopposed in seeking another two-year term.
In the Hilltowns of western Hampden County, Register of Deeds Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield) has a challenger, independent candidate Bob Collamore of Springfield. Hampden County Clerk of Courts Laura Gentile (D-East Longmeadow) is unopposed. These county officials serve six-year terms.
Voters in Huntington will elect Hampshire County officials. Three Democrats are running unopposed for the three available positions: Daniel Carey for clerk of courts, incumbent Mary Olberding for register of deeds, and Mark Smith Ames for the remaining two years of an unexpired term as register of probate.
Otis voters will help decide a contested race to replace retiring state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli. The candidates are Leigh Susan Davis, a Democrat from Great Barrington, and Marybeth Mitts, an independent from Lenox. Otis voters will also help elect two Berkshire County officials, but there is no choice on the ballot. Lisa Denault-Viale (D-Windsor) is the only candidate for clerk of courts. Incumbent Middle District Register of Deeds Patsy Harris (D-Hinsdale) has no opponent.
Ballot questions
There are five referendum questions on all ballots statewide. A yes vote on Question 1 would give the state auditor the authority to audit the state Legislature. A yes vote on Question 2 would eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS test to graduate from high school. A yes vote on Question 3 would allow rideshare and app delivery drivers to unionize and bargain collectively. A yes vote on Question 4 would legalize the possession, use and cultivation of limited quantities of natural psychedelic substances. A yes vote on Question 5 would require tipped workers to be paid the full minimum wage, plus tips. Any of these questions that attains a majority “yes” vote, statewide, would become law unless later amended by the state Legislature.
In the House districts currently represented by Boldyga and Pignatelli, voters will also be asked to weigh in on an advisory question. A yes vote on Question 6 would request the local representative to vote in favor of a government-run, single-payer health insurance system in Massachusetts.
When to vote
On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls will be open in every city and town from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All towns are also offering early voting. Polling places in local towns, and remaining early voting times, are:
- Blandford: Town Hall, 1 Russell Stage Rd. Early voting 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.
- Chester: Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Rd. Early voting 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 28; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 29 and 31.
- Granville: Town Hall, 707 Main Rd. Early voting 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and Friday, Nov. 1; and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 28, 29 and 31.
- Huntington: Stanton Hall, 26 Russell Rd. Early voting in Town Hall, 24 Russell Rd., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 30; and 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 29.
- Montgomery: Union Hall, 161 Main Rd. Early voting 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
- Otis: Town Hall, 1 N. Main Rd. Early voting 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 29 and 31.
- Russell: Town Hall, 65 Main St. Early voting 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, and 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.
- Tolland: Public Safety Complex, 206 W. Granville Rd. Early voting in Town Hall, 241 W. Granville Rd., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Voters from any community can enter their information at www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch to confirm that they are registered to vote.
(This article was edited Oct. 27, 2024, to clarify that the health care system envisioned by Question 6 would feature universal government-run insurance, not government-run care.)
