SOUTHWICK — Though not every legislator has an opponent, voters in Southwick 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, Southwick residents can choose from two options: incumbent state Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket) and challenger David Rosa (R-Dighton). State senators serve a two-year term.
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) has no opponent in his race for another two-year term. Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs (D-North Adams), whose district covers most of Western Massachusetts, is likewise unopposed for reelection to a two-year term.
Southwick 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.
Southwick 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. All precincts in Southwick vote at Town Hall, 454 College Hwy. Remaining early voting opportunities, also in Town Hall, are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 28, 30 and 31, and Nov. 1; and 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Voters 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.)
