AGAWAM — Though not every legislator has an opponent, voters in Agawam 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 two-year terms in the state Legislature, all of the region’s representatives are running for reelection with no opponents on the ballot: state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), who represents all of the town; state Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), who represents Precinct 1 of Agawam; and state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), who represents the rest of Agawam.
Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs (D-North Adams), whose district covers most of Western Massachusetts, is unopposed in seeking a second two-year term.
Agawam is in Hampden County, where 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.
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.
Agawam voters in precincts 2-8 — in the House district represented by Boldyga — 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.
In Agawam, there are seven polling places serving the town’s eight precincts: Precinct 1 at Sapelli School (formerly Robinson Park School), 65 Begley St., Agawam; Precinct 2 at Granger School, 31 S. Westfield St., Feeding Hills; Precinct 3 at Agawam High School, 760 Cooper St., Agawam; Precinct 4 at Doering School, 68 Main St., Agawam; Precinct 5 at Phelps School, 689 Main St., Agawam; precincts 6 and 8 at Clark School, 65 Oxford St., Agawam; and Precinct 7 at Agawam Junior High School, 1305 Springfield St., Feeding Hills.
In-person early voting opportunities remain this week. All precincts of Agawam and Feeding Hills vote early at the Senior Center, 954 Main St., Agawam. Polls will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily until Nov. 1.
Voters who are not sure which precinct is theirs can enter their address at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema to find their polling place. Voters from any community can enter their information at sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch to confirm that they are registered to vote.
