Massachusetts goes to the polls with a record-tying nine ballot questions, and the real drama is turnout.

Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8 p.m. Secretary of State William Galvin said Monday that more than 1.1 million people have already voted early, which he called a "dramatic" jump over past years. He's projecting about 2.5 million total ballots, out of roughly 5 million registered voters. The statewide top of the ticket isn't providing much suspense: polls show wide Democratic leads, and Gov. Maura Healey is heavily favored over Republican Mike Minogue. Galvin has linked the nine ballot questions to what he calls a public "frustration with accomplishment" in government.

That's why the ballot is the main event. The questions cover everything from opening the Legislature and the governor's office to public records requests (Question 1, pushed by Auditor Diana DiZoglio) to letting public defenders unionize (Question 2) to same-day voter registration (Question 4, which Galvin expects to pass). The ballot is long, and election officials are bracing for slow-moving lines.

Galvin's practical advice: bring a list. The ballot itself includes a one-sentence summary of what "yes" and "no" mean right above the vote boxes, which is your lifeline if you freeze in the booth. Mail-in ballots must be in a drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, and ballots can't be dropped off at polling places themselves. And if you're not sure where you vote, the Secretary of State's website will tell you in about ten seconds.

Full story at GBH News →

Healey and Minogue make their closing pitches. Healey rallied union workers in Lynn, leaning on the strategy that has defined her career: when Donald Trump takes something away, Massachusetts finds a way to cover it. Minogue spent the weekend door-knocking and hitting pubs. WBUR →

A national blue wave could reshape Massachusetts' influence. At a rally in Plymouth, Rep. Bill Keating cast Tuesday as a chance for "the people" to take back their government. If Democrats flip the US House, the Massachusetts delegation goes from the minority to positions of real power, and Healey gains a direct line to House leadership for the final two years of Trump's term. Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi currently give Democrats a 74 percent chance of sweeping both chambers. Boston Globe →

Ed Markey is campaigning for other people, while on the ballot himself. The 80-year-old senator, who has said his next term would be his last, spent Sunday in Maine boosting Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson against Republican Susan Collins, part of a bid to lift like-minded progressives nationwide. He faces Republican John Deaton tomorrow. Boston Globe →

Boston Public Schools wants to close Charlestown High School. BPS cites declining enrollment, and the School Committee could vote as soon as its first December meeting. Councilors Gabriela Coletta Zapata, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn are already pushing back, and Coletta Zapata will ask for a formal hearing Wednesday. Universal Hub →

The Lindsay Clancy case remains in limbo. At a Monday hearing in Plymouth, defense attorney Kevin Reddington told Judge William Sullivan he wants a retrial "this spring," while prosecutors said they aren't ready to say whether they'll try her again. Sullivan took a double-jeopardy dismissal motion under advisement, and the next conference is Nov. 16. WCVB →

Six MBTA workers were injured in a track collision in Norwood. Two maintenance vehicles collided near the Norwood Depot station; injuries were non-life-threatening. Franklin/Foxboro line trains were temporarily replaced by buses between Readville and Walpole, and the MBTA Transit Police are investigating. Boston 25 →

• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place →
• Tuesday, 8 p.m.: Deadline for mail-in ballots to be in a drop box. Mailed ballots must be postmarked Tuesday and arrive by Nov. 6. Boston 25 →
• Wednesday: Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata asks the Boston City Council for a hearing on the Charlestown High School closure plan. Universal Hub →
• Sunday, Nov. 8: Gov. Healey's expanded abortion care law takes effect. Boston Globe →

Track all bills →

Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Big Spending This Week

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

Full hearing schedule →

Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• Julie Bowditch (Democratic) — City Councilor, Worcester — Filed: 11/2/2026
• Robert Barcellos — Mayoral, Fall River — Filed: 10/30/2026
• Daniel Wong (Democratic) — City Councilor, Somerville — Filed: 10/27/2026

Ballot Question Committees

• Voter Choice for Massachusetts — N/A, N/A — Filed: 10/27/2026

Change of Purposes

• Luz Villar — Mayoral, Brockton → City Councilor, Brockton — Filed: 10/29/2026

OCPF →

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