There are important contested races in western Massachusetts. Here’s what you need to know as we head toward the general election on November 6.
Ballot Questions:
Question 1 would limit how many patients could be assigned to each nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and other facilities.
- A Yes vote would limit the number of patients a Massachusetts registered nurse could be assigned.
- A No vote would make no legal change related to patient-nurse limits.
- NEPR: For Massachusetts Voters: A Short Debate On Ballot Question 1
- NEPR: Why People Are So Confused About Massachusetts Ballot Question 1
- NEPR: On Question 1, What Can Massachusetts Learn From California?
- NEPR: Massachusetts Question 1 Campaigns Have Spent Almost $28 Million
- NEPR: Nurses Are Split On Staffing Ratio Ballot Question, WBUR Poll Finds
- NEPR:WBUR Poll: Ballot Question About Mass. Nurse Staffing Is A Dead Heat
Question 2 would create a citizens' commission to consider and recommend potential amendments to the U.S. Constitution to reverse the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Elections Committee decision. The reverse would introduce stricter regulations on campaign money flow, and establish that corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as human beings.
- A Yes vote would create a commission to advance the proposed amendment to alter corporations' constitutional rights and limit the influence of corporate money in politics.
- A No vote make no change, and not create a commission.
- NEPR: For Massachusetts Voters: A Short Debate On Ballot Question 2
- NEPR: Question 2 Wants Mass. Voters To Take A Stand Against Citizens United -- If Only A Symbolic One
Question 3 brings Chapter 134 of the Massachusetts Court's 2016 Acts into question. The act protects people in Massachusetts from discrimination based on gender identity in "places of public accomodation."
- A Yes vote would keep the existing legal protection from discrimination in effect.
- A No vote would repeal the protections.
- NEPR: For Massachusetts Voters: A Short Debate On Ballot Question 3
- NEPR: Question 3 Seeks To Repeal Transgender Public Accommodations Law
- NEPR: Ballot Q On Transgender Protections Law May Be Confusing. But Voters Seem To Get It
U.S. Senator – Massachusetts
Elizabeth Warren, Democrat
- elizabethwarren.com
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- NEPR: In The Final Mass. U.S. Senate Debate, It's All About Trump, Again
Geoff Diehl, Republican
- diehlforsenate.com
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- NEPR: In The Final Mass. U.S. Senate Debate, It's All About Trump, Again
Shiva Ayyadurai, Independent
Governor and Lt. Governor – Massachusetts
Charlie Baker, Republican
- charliebakerma.com
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- NEPR: Charlie Baker And Jay Gonzalez Meet In Final Debate Of Mass. Governor's Race
- NEPR: Taxes Mark A Key Dividing Line Between Gonzalez And Baker
- NEPR: After Failed Charter School Expansion, Baker Focuses On Small-Scale Education Initiatives
Karyn Polito, Republican
Jay Gonzalez, Democrat
- jay4ma.com
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- NEPR: Charlie Baker And Jay Gonzalez Meet In Final Debate Of Mass. Governor's Race
- NEPR: Taxes Mark A Key Dividing Line Between Gonzalez And Baker
- NEPR: Gonzalez Pitches 'Bold Vision' On Education With Few Specifics
Quentin Palfrey, Democrat
Attorney General – Massachusetts
Maura Healey, Democrat
- maurahealey.com
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- NEPR: In Raucous AG Debate, Healey And McMahon Clash On Trump, The Opioid Crisis And Guns
Jay McMahon, Republican
- attorneyjaymcmahon.com
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- NEPR: In Raucous AG Debate, Healey And McMahon Clash On Trump, The Opioid Crisis And Guns
Secretary of State – Massachusetts
Bill Galvin, Democrat
Anthony Amore, Republican
Juan Sanchez, Green-Rainbow
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- NEPR: Three Green-Rainbow Candidates In Western Mass. Are Running For Statewide Office
Treasurer – Massachusetts
Deborah Goldberg, Democrat
Keiko Orrall, Republican
Jamie Guerin, Green-Rainbow
- Donors
- NEPR: Three Green-Rainbow Candidates In Western Mass. Are Running For Statewide Office
Auditor – Massachusetts
Suzanne Bump, Democrat
Helen Brady, Republican
Daniel Fishman, Libertarian
Edward Stamas, Green-Rainbow
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- NEPR: Three Green-Rainbow Candidates In Western Mass. Are Running For Statewide Office
U.S. House – MA District 2
Jim McGovern, Democrat
- jimmcgovern.com
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- NEPR: Longtime Congressman McGovern, Challenger Lovvorn Face Off In Mass. 2nd District Race
Tracy Lovvorn, Republican
- tracyforcongress.com
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- NEPR: Longtime Congressman McGovern, Challenger Lovvorn Face Off In Mass. 2nd District Race
Paul Grady, Independent
Governor's Council – Massachusetts 8th District
Mary Hurley, Democrat
Mike Franco, Independent
Massachusetts Senate – Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire & Middlesex District
Anne Gobi, Democrat
- annegobi.com
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- NEPR: Steven Hall Challenges Two-Term Incumbent Anne Gobi For Mass. State Senate Seat
Steven Hall, Republican
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- NEPR: Steven Hall Challenges Two-Term Incumbent Anne Gobi For Mass. State Senate Seat
Massachusetts House – 2nd Franklin District
Susannah Whipps, Independent
John Arena, Democrat
Massachusetts House – 1st Hampden District
Todd Smola, Republican
Tanya Neslusan, Democrat
Massachusetts House – 2nd Hampden District
Brian Ashe, Democrat
Allison Werder, Republican
Massachusetts House – 3rd Hampden District
Nicholas Boldyga, Republican
Forrest Bradford, Democrat
Massachusetts House – 12th Hampden District
Angelo Puppolo, Democrat
Donald Flannery, Independent
Massachusetts House – 2nd Hampshire District
Dan Carey, Democrat
Donald Peltier, Republican
District Attorney – Berkshire District
Andrea Harrington, Democrat
- harringtonfordistrictattorney.com
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- NEPR: In Berkshire County DA Race, Drugs, Violence And Justice Are Top Concerns
Paul Caccaviello, Write-In
- votecaccavielloda.com
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- NEPR: In Berkshire County DA Race, Drugs, Violence And Justice Are Top Concerns
Register of Deeds – Berkshire Northern District
Maria Ziemba, Democrat
Deborah Moran, Unenrolled
Register of Deeds – Hampden County
Marie Angelides, Republican
- marie4deeds.com
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- NEPR: Hampden County Register Of Deeds Candidates Offer Differing Approaches To Job
Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, Democrat