WORCESTER – Federal and state elections happen across the country on Tuesday, Nov. 5, including five ballot questions voters across the Massachusetts will decide on.
Voters in Worcester can cast their votes in the following federal races (names appear as they do on the ballot).
The (*) indicates the candidate is an incumbent for reelection.
Please note that in state elections, multiple district cross into the City of Worcester. Each voter only votes in one of these races. To find your district and voting location anywhere in Massachusetts, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State website.
Federal Elections
President and Vice President
- Ayyadurai and Ellis (Independent)
- De La Cruz and Garcia (Socialism and Liberation)
- Harris and Walz (Democratic)
- Oliver and Ter Maat (Libertarian)
- Stein and Caballero-Roca (Green-Rainbow Party)
- Trump and Vance (Republican)
Senator in Congress
- Elizabeth Ann Warren* (Democratic)
- John Deaton (Republican)
Representative in Congress
Second District
- James P. Mcgovern* (Democratic)
- Cornelius Shea (Independent)
State Elections
Governor’s Council
- Paul M. Depalo* (Democratic)
- Andrew J. Couture (Republican)
Senator in General Court
First Worcester District
- Robyn K. Kennedy* (Democratic)
Second Worcester District
- Michael O. Moore* (Democratic)
Worcester and Hampshire District
- Peter J. Durant* (Republican)
- Sheila H. Dibb (Democratic)
Repreentative in General Court
13th Worcester District
- John J. Mahoney* (Democratic)
14th Worcester District
- James J. O’Day* (Democratic)
15th Worcester District (Democratic)
- Mary S. Keefe* (Democratic)
16th Worcester District
- Daniel M. Donahue* (Democratic)
17th Worcester District
- David Henry Argosky LaBoeuf* (Democratic)
Clerk of the Courts
Dennis P. McManus* (Democratic)
Register of Deeds
Kathryn A. Toomey* (Democratic)
Ballot Questions
(Note: Summaries via Ballotpedia)
Question 1 – Authorization of State Auditor to Audit General Court Initiative
Question 1 would add a new section to state law authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature. The state auditor and employees of the state auditor department would also be given access to accounts, books, documents, vouchers, and other records relating to the scope of the audit. Tax returns would be excluded from state auditor access.
- A “yes” vote supports explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature.
- A “no” vote opposes explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature.
Question 2 – Repeal Competency Assessment Requirement for High School Graduation Initiative
Question 2 would repeal the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school. The initiative would require that students participate in the assessment program without achieving a certain competency level and complete all local or district graduation requirements.
- A “yes” vote supports repealing the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.
- A “no” vote opposes repealing the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.
Question 3 – Unionization and Collective Bargaining for Transportation Network Drivers Initiative
Question 3 would provide transportation network drivers with the right to form unions for collective bargaining with transportation network companies, like Uber and Lyft. The transportation network companies would be authorized to form multi-company associations to represent the companies in bargaining with associations of drivers. The initiative would require the state to oversee the negotiations between the parties and approve the negotiated recommendations on wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work.[1]
The initiative would also create a hearing process for the Massachusetts Employment Relations Board to process unfair work practice charges against transportation network companies. The board would be authorized to award compensation to wronged parties if unfair work practices have been committed. Companies would be authorized to appeal the board’s decision to the state Appeal Court.
The law would authorize a driver organization to be the exclusive bargaining representative for all drivers after it has collected signatures from at least 25% of active drivers. The initiative would define active drivers as drivers who have completed more than the median number of rides in the past six months. The board would determine if the driver organization has collected the required number of signatures. If so, the designated driver organization would have the exclusive right to represent drivers in negotiations with companies and collect voluntary membership dues. Any collective bargaining agreement would have to be approved by at least a majority of riders who have completed at least 100 trips during the previous quarter and the Secretary of Labor. The agreement would be in effect for the following three years.
- A “yes” vote supports:
- providing for unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers;
- requiring the state to oversee the negotiations between the parties and approve the negotiated recommendations on wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work; and
- requiring collective bargaining agreements to be approved by at least a majority of riders who have completed at least 100 trips during the previous quarter.
- A “no” vote opposes providing for unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers.
Question 4 – Legalization and Regulation of Psychedelic Substances Initiative
- A “yes” vote supports this initiative to:
- create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Advisory Board to regulate the licensing of psychedelic substances and services, including the administration of psychedelic
- substances to individuals 21 years of age or older under licensed supervision;
- authorize individuals 21 years of age or older to grow, possess, and use a personal amount of psychedelic substances;
- impose an excise tax at a rate of 15% on the sale of psychedelic substances at licensed administration facilities, and
- authorize localities to levy an additional tax of up to 2% on psychedelic substances and regulate the time, place, and manner of the operation of natural psychedelic substance licensees.
- A “no” vote opposes this initiative to provide regulated access to certain psychedelic substances and authorize the personal use of limited amounts of psychedelics by individuals 21 years of age or older.
Question 5 – Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Initiative
Question 5 would gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped employees according to the following schedule:
- 64% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025;
- 73% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026;
- 82% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027;
- 91% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028; and
- 100% of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029.
Tipped employees would be paid the state minimum wage in addition to tips received.
As of January 2024, the minimum wage for tipped employees in Massachusetts was $6.75 in addition to tips, and the minimum wage for non-tipped employees was $15.00.
- A “yes” vote supports gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029 and continues to permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.
- A “no” vote opposes gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029.
Polling Places in the City of Worcester
To find which polling place you are assigned to vote at, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State website.
