“He doesn’t care what we think!” my friend said about her state representative. I hear this same frustration from many Bay Staters. Their reps win a seat, and then get reelected time after time. Why? No one runs against them. Then they stop listening to constituent voices. Why listen since it won’t affect their reelection chances?
The fallout is threefold: 1) constituents cannot influence their rep’s votes; 2) constituents believe there is no point in voting; and 3) in 2024, 72 percent of races for the Massachusetts Legislature were decided by 20% of the voters.
Had enough? Here’s what you can do.
First, organize a group of constituents in your district and draft someone to run as a write-in candidate for that seat — in the primary or general election. Our Secretary of State’s website has write-in campaign guidelines. Money is not essential but shoe leather is: go to diners, senior centers, chamber meetings, any place people gather, and introduce your candidate (or yourself, if you run). Knock on as many doors as possible. Write-ins can win. If it’s a contested race, your rep is more likely to respond to your concerns.
Second, cast your November vote for the all-party primary ballot question. Massachusetts has too many candidates who run unopposed. In the last decade, 52 percent (696 races) were uncontested. All-party primaries will boost the number of contested elections, and the number of voters.
It’s our votes, and our democracy. We can make our voices heard and our votes count.
Arlene Kirsch
Northampton