Voters around Franklin County will hit the polls for the Nov. 8 state election, with decisions impacting statewide and regional races, as well as a series of referendum questions.
While Election Day is still weeks away, polls open for early in-person voting on Saturday. Voters will choose a new governor and lieutenant governor, along with western Massachusetts’ representation in U.S. Congress and in the state House.
Most voters in western Massachusetts are part of the Eighth District for the Governor’s Council, with Republican John Comerford of Palmer and Democrat Tara Jacobs of North Adams vying to succeed Mary Hurley, who opted against seeking another term for the role that provides advice on topics such as the confirmation judges and commutation of sentences.
Statewide, the main focus has been on the race to succeed Charlie Baker as governor. That features Republican Geoff Diehl and his running mate Leah Allen, Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey and her running mate Kim Driscoll, and Libertarian Kevin Reed and his running mate Peter Everett.
Both Democratic congressmen who represent the region in the House of Representatives are facing competition from Republicans.
In the 2nd Congressional District — which includes Greenfield, Deerfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Whately, Montague, Gill Northfield, Erving, Wendell, New Salem, Orange and Warwick, as well as the Worcester County municipalities of Athol, Royalston, Phillipston and Petersham — Democrat incumbent Jim McGovern of Worcester is being challenged by Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette of Shrewsbury.
While not related to Franklin County, in the 1st Congressional District, containing several Hampshire County towns, Richard Neal of Springfield is being challenged by Dean Martilli of West Springfield.
In the 2nd Franklin District, which includes Greenfield Precincts 1 through 4 and 9, as well as Gill, Northfield, Warwick, Orange and the Worcester County towns of Royalston, Athol and Phillipston, incumbent Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, is facing a challenge from Republican Jeffrey Raymond of Athol.
Democrat incumbent Natalie Blais, who represents the 1st Franklin District, is running unopposed.
Voters in the newly created 7th Hampden District, which includes the Hampshire County towns of Belchertown and Pelham and the southern Franklin County town of Shutesbury, have a contested race to decide. James “Chip” Harrington of Ludlow, a Republican, and Aaron Saunders of Belchertown, a Democrat, are looking to succeed Democrat Jake Oliveira in the reconfigured district.
In the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District vacated by Democrat Adam Hinds, Democrat Paul Mark of Becket is running against Independent Brendan Phair of Pittsfield. That race is on the ballot in Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Rowe and Shelburne.
Democratic state Sen. Jo Comerford of Northampton, the incumbent for the 25-community Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District, is running unopposed.
In statewide races without an incumbent running, Democrat Andrea Campbell and Republican James McMahon III are competing to fill the attorney general position being vacated by Healey, while Republican Anthony Amore, Democrat Diana DiZoglio, Green-Rainbow Gloria Caballero-Roca, Workers Party Dominic Giannone III and Libertarian Daniel Riek are running for auditor, as Suzanne Bump leaves that role.
Caballero-Roca is one of two Holyoke residents seeking statewide office representing the Green-Rainbow Party. The other is Juan Sanchez, who is competing against incumbent Secretary of State William Galvin, a Democrat. Galvin is also facing a challenge from Republican Rayla Campbell.
Finally, Deborah Goldberg, the incumbent Democratic treasurer, is facing a challenge from Libertarian Cristina Crawford.
Also on the ballot for all Hampshire and Franklin County towns is Democratic Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, who is running unopposed.
Four questions will be on the ballots for all voters, with some facing extra referendum or non-binding questions.
The first question asks whether to adopt a constitutional amendment that would establish an additional 4% state income tax on the portion of annual personal taxable income in excess of $1 million, while the second would regulate dental insurance rates, including by requiring companies to spend at least 83% of premiums on member dental expenses and quality improvements instead of administrative expenses.
The third question would create a law to increase the statewide limits on the combined number of licenses entities can hold for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption, while the fourth would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a standard driver’s license or learner’s permit if they meet all the other qualifications for a standard license or learner’s permit.
Ashfield — Town Hall, 412 Main St. Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Oct 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Nov 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bernardston — Town Hall, 38 Church St. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 26, 4 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Nov. 2, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Buckland — Town Hall, 17 State St. Oct. 22 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 25 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 to 11 a.m.; Oct. 27, 4 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Nov. 1, 1 to 3 p.m.; Nov. 2, 9 to 11 a.m.; and Nov. 3, 4 to 6 p.m.
Charlemont — Town Hall, 157 Main St. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Colrain — Town Hall, 55 Main Road. Oct. 22, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct 24, 5 to 7 p.m.; Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to noon; Oct. 30, noon to 4 p.m.; Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.; and Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to noon.
Conway — Town Hall, 5 Academy Hill Road. Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 24, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 2 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 31, 2 to 5 p.m.; Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Nov. 2, 2 to 5 p.m.; Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Nov. 4, 9 a.m to 1 p.m.
Deerfield — Town Hall, 8 Conway St. Oct. 22, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 24 to Oct. 28, and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Erving — Town Hall, 12 East Main St. Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gill — Town Hall, 325 Main Road. Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, noon to 2 p.m.; Oct. 27, 4 to 6 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, noon to 2 p.m.; and Nov. 3, 4 to 6 p.m.
Greenfield — City Hall, 14 Court Square. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 23 to Oct. 28, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hawley — Town Office, 8 Pudding Hollow Road. Oct. 25, noon to 2 p.m.; Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m.
Heath — Town Clerk’s Office, 18 Jacobs Road. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 25 and Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to noon; Nov. 1, 2 to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 4, 2 to 5 p.m.
Leverett — Town Hall, 9 Montague Road. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, and Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Leyden — Town Office, 7 Brattleboro Road. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; and Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
Monroe — Town Hall, 3C School St. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Oct. 24, Oct. 25, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to noon.
Montague — Town Hall, 1 Avenue A. Oct. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
New Salem — Clerk’s Office, 15 South Main St. Oct. 22, 8 to 10 a.m.; Oct. 23, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 30, 4 to 8 p.m.
Northfield — Town Hall, 69 Main St. Oct. 22, 9 a.m to 1 p.m.; Oct. 24 through Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Orange — Town Hall, 6 Prospect St. From Oct. 22 to Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays; from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Rowe — Town Hall, 321 Zoar Road. Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; and Nov. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.
Shelburne — Town Hall 51 Bridge St. Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 27, 2 to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Nov. 3, 2 to 4 p.m.; and Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shutesbury — Town Hall, 1 Cooleyville Road. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 24 to Oct. 28, and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 3 to 5 p.m.
Sunderland — Town Offices, 12 School St. Oct. 22, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to noon; Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 25, Oct. 26 and Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Warwick — Town Hall, 12 Athol Road. Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, 1 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 1 to 4 p.m.
Wendell — Town Offices, 9 Morse Village Road. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 29; 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2; and 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4.
Whately — Town Offices, 4 Sandy Lane. Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.; Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 to Oct. 27 and Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.