WEST SPRINGFIELD —Though not every legislator has an opponent, voters in West Springfield 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, both members of the town’s delegation are running for reelection with no opponents on the ballot, state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) and state Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield). Additionally, Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs (D-North Adams), whose district covers most of Western Massachusetts, is unopposed. All three offices have two-year terms.
West Springfield 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.
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 West Springfield, precincts 1 and 2 vote at the Senior Center, 128 Park St., and precincts 3-8 vote at the high school, 425 Piper Rd.
In-person early voting opportunities remain. All precincts of West Springfield can vote early at the town library, 200 Park St., West Springfield, 8 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.
