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Election 2024: Your guide to Massachusetts’ November election

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Election 2024: Your guide to Massachusetts’ November election


Massachusetts residents will have the chance to vote on key federal, statewide and legislative races during the Nov. 5 national election.

That includes the race for the White House between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.

Two members of the Bay State’s all-Democratic U.S. House delegation are facing Republican challengers.

Most of the lawmakers in Massachusetts’ 200-member state Legislature are expected to coast to reelection on Election Day.

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Still, 54 lawmakers in the state House and 14 lawmakers in the state Senate will face opposition at the polls.

There also are contests for the Governor’s Council, a little-understood panel that traces its roots to the Colonial era and plays a key role in state government such as confirming judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments.

Voters also will have their say on five ballot questions on issues ranging from whether to legalize psychedelics to raising the minimum wage for tipped workers.

(Meredith Perri/MassLive)Meredith Perri

How to register to vote — and vote

Here are some of the key dates to remember if you want to vote in the general election:

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  • Deadline for presidential election voter registration: Oct. 26
  • Deadline for presidential election vote-by-mail application: Oct. 29
  • General election date: Nov. 5. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

You can confirm you’re already registered to vote by going to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website. Enter your name, date of birth, and ZIP code to find out if your voting status is active.

If you have a signature on file with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, you can register online, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

You can also pre-register, update your address, update your name and change your political party designation.

Voter registration forms can be printed at this link. The form must be filled out and signed, then mailed to a prospective voter’s local election office and postmarked by the voter registration deadline.

Those registering to vote in Massachusetts for the first time should include a copy of identification with the applicant’s name and address. If a copy is not included, one must be presented the first time voting.

To find a local polling location, voters can enter their address on the Secretary of Commonwealth’s website. This will show their precinct number, ward number and the address of where they can vote.

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The Big Races

Below we’ve highlighted the key races and questions that Massachusetts voters will decide this fall.

We’ve also included links to MassLive’s top coverage of this year’s candidates and ballot measures to help you make informed decisions.

Trump Harris

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center on Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)AP

The race for the White House

At the top of the ticket, Harris faces Trump in a historic contest.

And that’s true no matter which candidate you support.

If Trump, making his third White House bid, comes out on top, he will be the first president in American history to win an election as the nation’s chief executive after being convicted of a crime, and while still facing pending legal matters.

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If Harris wins, she will become the first woman and first woman of color to occupy the Oval Office.

The race was dramatically reshaped after President Joe Biden scuttled his reelection bid in July after a faltering debate performance against Trump weeks before.

Trump survived an attempt on his life during a rally in western Pennsylvania, just days before formally accepting the GOP’s presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Harris, who rocketed to the top of the ticket after Biden’s exit, formally accepted her party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Trump’s running-mate is U.S. Sen J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

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Key coverage from the race:

Trump injured but ‘fine’ after assassination attempt; shooter, 1 other dead

U.S. Sen. JD Vance chosen as Trump’s vice-presidential running mate

President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race, throws support behind VP Kamala Harris

In Biden’s speech, a challenge. Are Americans up to it? | John L. Micek

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Who is Kamala Harris? 5 things to know about the vice president and White House candidate

Kamala Harris bets on everyman Tim Walz to win. Mass. Dems weigh in | John L. Micek

In Boston, Dem Veep candidate Tim Walz tells firefighters we ‘have your back’

After Tim Walz addresses firefighters union, JD Vance makes his pitch in Boston

Trump-Harris 2024: What Mass. pols are watching for in Tuesday’s debate | John L. Micek

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U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. (L) and Republican John Deaton (R) will face each other in the Nov. 5 general election (Photos by Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican; Sophie Markham / Special to The Republican. MassLive photo collage by Chris McLaughlin).

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. and Republican John Deaton will face each other in the Nov. 5 General Election (Photos by Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen/The Republican; Sophie Markham/Special to The Republican. MassLive photo collage by Chris McLaughlin).Chris McLaughlin

The U.S. Senate race

Two-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Cambridge faces Republican John Deaton, a cryptocurrency lawyer from Swansea, who’s making his first bid for federal office.

Deaton, buoyed by a wave of cash from Big Tech, beat out two other candidates in the Sept. 3 primary election to win the Republican nomination.

Still, Deaton will face an uphill battle against Warren, a deeply entrenched and well-funded pol, who’s running for reelection in heavily Democratic Massachusetts.

Democrats have attacked Deaton’s residency — he’s a Rhode Island transplant — and his ties to the cryptocurrency industry. Deaton has painted Warren as out-of-touch with Bay State voters.

Polling in the race has been scant. But a June UMass/WCVB-TV poll highlighted Deaton’s challenge.

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A third (36%) of its Republican and unaffiliated respondents said they didn’t know which of the three GOP hopefuls to support. None of the GOP hopefuls polled above 19%.

Warren led Deaton 47%-24% in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up in the same poll.

Key coverage from the race:

Who is John Deaton, the long-shot Republican trying to unseat Mass. Sen. Elizabeth Warren?

Crypto is spending big money in the GOP race for US Senate in Mass. Here’s why | John L. Micek

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Mass. Primary 2024: John Deaton wins GOP U.S. Senate primary

Warren v. Deaton: The two big things about Mass.’ U.S. Senate race | John L. Micek

U.S. Capitol

The U.S Capitol building in Washington, D.C. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)AP

The U.S. House of Representatives

All nine members of the Bay State’s all-Democrat U.S. House delegation are on the ballot, and running for reelection for another two-year term on Capitol Hill.

They are:

  • U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-1st District
  • U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-2nd District
  • U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-3rd District
  • U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District
  • U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District
  • U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton D-6th District
  • U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District
  • U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District
  • U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-9th District

Just two lawmakers, Lynch and Keating, will have Republican challengers at the polls on Nov. 5.

Lynch will face Robert Burke, a videographer from Milton, who is mounting his second challenge. Lynch has represented the Boston-based seat since 2013.

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Keating, who has represented the South Shore-based 9th District — spanning Quincy, the Cape and Islands and New Bedford — since 2013, faces Dan Sullivan, a nurse from Manomet.

A view of the Massachusetts State House, from the steps on Boston Common (MassLive photo by John L. Micek).

A view of the Massachusetts State House, from the steps on Boston Common (John L. Micek/MassLive).John L. Micek

The state Legislature

As we noted above, there are 54 contested House races and 14 contested Senate races this year.

Democrats control both the 40-member state Senate and the 160-member state House. And while there is some competition on the ballot this year, an overwhelming majority of state lawmakers are expected to have smooth sailing on the way to re-election on Nov. 5.

Key coverage:

Primary 2024: Most Mass. state lawmakers will coast to reelection. Here are races worth watching

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MassLive’s updated list of state lawmakers who aren’t running for reelection in 2024

A photo of the entrance to the Massachusetts Governor's Council's chambers on the third floor of the State House in Boston, Mass. (John L. Micek/MassLive).

The entrance to the Massachusetts Governor’s Council’s chambers on the third floor of the State House in Boston, Mass. (John L. Micek/MassLive).John L. Micek

The Governor’s Council

If you are like most Massachusetts voters, the chances are you don’t give much thought to the Governor’s Council.

But if you must, think of this colonial-era throwback as the Bay State’s political equivalent to Schrödinger’s Cat.

In other words, you know it’s there, and it’s probably doing stuff. But you still need to crack the lid now and then to make sure.

The elected body, also known as the Executive Council, serves a low-profile but very important purpose in state government: It acts on pardons and commutations, confirms judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments to a host of boards and commissions, according to the state’s website.

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There are only three contested races for the eight seats on the council, according to Ballotpedia.

Those races are:

District 2: Tamisha Civil (D); Francis T. Crimmins Jr. (R)

District 5: Eunice Ziegler (D); Anne Manning-Martin (R)

District 7: Paul DePalo (D); Andrew Couture (R)

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Incumbent Councilors Joseph C. Ferreira (District 1); Christopher A. Iannella (District 4), and Terrence W. Kennedy (District 6), are running without opposition.

Newly elected Councilor Mara Dolan, who defeated incumbent Councilor Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney in the Sept. 3 primary, also is running without general election opposition, according to Ballotpedia.

Key coverage:

What is the Massachusetts Governor’s Council? Who’s on it? What does it do? | John L. Micek

Mass Primary 2024: Governor’s Council primaries: Results from 3 contested races

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Mass. Primary 2024: Mara Dolan wins Governor’s Council 3rd District race

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft stickers are seen on a ride-share vehicle on Aug. 30, 2024. Question 3 on the Massachusetts ballot in November, if passed, would allow ride-share drivers to unionize. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)AP

The Ballot Questions

Voters also will have their say on five ballot questions spanning a variety of issues.

Question 1: Whether to authorize the state auditor to audit the state Legislature, and remove some existing regulations regarding the auditing process.

Question 2: Whether to repeal the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.

Question 3: Whether to provide for unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers.

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Question 4: Regulating access to psychedelic substances.

Question 5: Whether to gradually increase the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029 and still permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.

Key Coverage:

Now it’s up to voters: Can Diana DiZoglio audit the Legislature?| John L. Micek

Fresh off 2023 wins, advocates eye hiking Mass.’ tipped wage in 2024

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Mass. high court allows ballot questions for Uber, app-based drivers

Speaking from Springfield, advocates tout benefits of psychedelic therapy

Tool for equity or perpetrator of inequity? 6 viewpoints on MCAS grad requirement



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Weird laws in Massachusetts including a $20 fine, possible jail time for frightening a pigeon

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Weird laws in Massachusetts including a  fine, possible jail time for frightening a pigeon


Laws on pigeon frightening, milk cart vandalization and belting the national anthem are all present in the state of Massachusetts. 

The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world, according to Mass.gov. The historical document was drafted by John Adams. 

Scanning through laws in Massachusetts, you are sure to find some head scratchers, but the state is far from the only one that has bizarre laws still technically on the books. 

WEIRD SOUTH CAROLINA LAWS THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU, INCLUDING THE RAMIFICATION OF BUYING SILVERWARE ON SUNDAYS

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Below are a few strange laws present in the state of Massachusetts. 

Among the strange laws in Massachusetts you may have not known about include ones regarding pigeons, milk cartons and alcohol-infused candy. (iStock)

  1. Think twice before scaring a pigeon
  2. Fine, possible imprisonment for vandalizing a carton of milk
  3. No more than 1% alcohol in candy
  4. Fines for singing or playing the national anthem
  5. Avoid changing the color of a rabbit or a chicken
  6. Spooky real estate rule

1. Think twice before you scare a pigeon 

Before sneaking up on a pigeon in Massachusetts, consider this strange law. 

You’re likely to see quite a few pigeons in Massachusetts, but it’s best to leave them be, as it’s illegal in Massachusetts to give them a fright. 

BIZARRE LAWS IN WASHINGTON, SUCH AS BEING CHARGED WITH RECKLESS DRIVING IF HUGGING WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL

“Pigeons, killing or frightening” is covered in Chapter 255, Section 132 of the General Laws of Massachusetts. 

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“Whoever wilfully kills pigeons upon, or frightens them from, beds which have been made for the purpose of taking them in nets, by any method, within one hundred rods of the same, except on land lawfully occupied by himself, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than twenty dollars, and shall also be liable for the actual damages to the owner or occupant of such beds,” the law states. 

Pigeons in Boston

In Massachusetts, it’s best to leave the pigeons alone. (Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

2. Fine, possible imprisonment for vandalizing a carton of milk

With the average cost of a gallon of milk around $4 in 2024, you could end up spending more than you bargained for by breaking this law. 

In Massachusetts, there is a law explicitly stating the punishment for vandalizing a carton of milk, which is a fine of $10. 

PAST AND PRESENT VERMONT LAWS THAT WILL SHOCK YOU, INCLUDING A HEFTY FINE FOR PAINTING A HORSE

“Whoever, without the consent of the owner thereof, knowingly and wilfully effaces, alters or covers over, or procures to be effaced, altered or covered over, the name, initial or device of any dealer in milk, marked or stamped upon a milk can, or whoever, with intent to defraud and without such consent, detains or uses in his business any such can having the name, initial or device of any dealer in milk so marked or stamped thereon, shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten dollars,” Chapter 255, Section 128 of Massachusetts law states. 

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3. No more than 1% alcohol in candy

Don’t expect any boozy candy in Massachusetts, as candy must contain less than 1% alcohol, according to state laws. 

This is written out in Chapter 270, Section 8 of the General Law in Massachusetts. 

Breaking this law could result in a fine of up to $100. 

Alcohol infused Gummy bears

Candy in Massachusetts must contain less than 1% alcohol. (ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

4. Fines for singing or playing the national anthem

Before the famous lyrics “O say can you see” leave your lips in Massachusetts, consider this law in the state. 

Whoever belts “The Star-Spangled Banner” or plays it on an instrument in any sort of public space “other than as a whole and separate composition or number” could face a fine up to $100. 

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BIZARRE NEW YORK LAWS INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS, PENALTIES FOR TAKING A SELFIE WITH A TIGER

Chapter 264, Section 9 of Massachusetts law states that “whoever plays, sings or renders the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ in any public place, theatre, motion picture hall, restaurant or café, or at any public entertainment, other than as a whole and separate composition or number, without embellishment or addition in the way of national or other melodies, or whoever plays, sings or renders the ‘Star Spangled Banner’, or any part thereof, as dance music, as an exit march or as a part of a medley of any kind, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.”

5. Avoid changing the color of a rabbit or a chicken

There are several stipulations in Massachusetts law about baby chicks, ducklings, rabbits and other fowl in terms of their sale, barter or gifting. 

This includes the dyeing or coloring of these animals. 

“No person shall sell, offer for sale, barter, display or give away living rabbits, chickens, ducklings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color,” Chapter 272, Section 80D of state law explains. 

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Baby chicks

There is a law against dyeing baby chickens in Massachusetts. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

An additional provision of this law includes the sale, barter or gift of ducklings, baby chickens or fowl under 2 months old. 

“Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sale or display of baby chickens, ducklings or other fowl under two months of age by breeders or stores engaged in the business of selling for purposes of commercial breeding and raising; provided, however, that prior to May first in any year, such ducklings may be sold or purchased only in quantities of twenty-four or more,” the law explains. 

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“This section shall not prohibit, however, the sale or donation of such chickens, ducklings or fowl to schools for use in classroom instruction,” per the state law. 

Those who violate this law could face a fine of up to $100. 

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6. Spooky real estate rule

Real estate laws vary state-by-state. 

One differentiation between states in terms of real estate is how much information is legally required to be disclosed to potential buyers. This includes spooky events and the property being haunted.

In Massachusetts, a seller “doesn’t need to disclose psychologically affected property, including an alleged parapsychological or supernatural phenomenon,” according to Zillow’s website. 



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This Massachusetts shop is offering free coffee for patrons who come in dancing | CNN Business

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This Massachusetts shop is offering free coffee for patrons who come in dancing | CNN Business




CNN
 — 

A coffee shop in Middleborough, Massachusetts, went viral overnight for offering free coffee to customers who entered the shop while dancing.

A video of customers participating in the promotion was posted on Coffee Milano Café’s TikTok account on Monday and has since been viewed over 5 million times as of Wednesday afternoon.

The viral post highlights how businesses are finding new customers by amping up their online presence, moving away from traditional marketing methods that are not delivering the same reach anymore.

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Owner Josh Rashid told CNN that business picked up after the video was posted, attracting curious new customers while delighting cafe regulars.

“We’re a small little town here in Middleborough, and it’s fun. A couple of people were in the store when it happened, and they came in the next day and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I saw your video on my For You page,’” he said.

Inspired by a similar promotion by a pizza shop, Rashid posted a sign telling customers they would receive a free coffee if they danced for five seconds. The sign also informed them that they would be filmed and featured on the cafe’s social media.

Rashid told CNN that the cafe’s TikTok account gained over 10,000 followers since the video was posted, up from roughly 4,000 followers.

“Small businesses really need to be on these platforms where potential customers are searching,” said Kristyn Shay, social media director at SCORE, a nonprofit offering resources for small business owners. “It’s really an exciting time for small businesses to go viral on platforms like TikTok and be where younger potential customers are hanging out.”

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Rashid told CNN that the staff had only started creating short, playful videos using trending TikTok sounds four weeks ago when he decided to shake up their marketing strategy.

“We’re in a digital world and word of mouth is great, but at the same time, we’re glued to our phones,” he said. “It just shows us how powerful social media is, and as a business owner, we have to adapt and do what we can.”

Rashid said that the reaction to the cafe’s promotion was so positive that he plans to bring back the deal every month. But it comes with a catch.

He said he would not post an announcement or schedule an official date. Instead, he plans on leaving “Easter eggs” across the cafe’s social media for customers to find hints to future promotions.

“When you have a viral moment, it’s an indicator that you’re doing something right,” Shay said. “Maybe you tested a new strategy. Maybe that strategy was to be a little bit more silly and the audience responded to that.”

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And to those who worry about the cafe losing out on profits, Rashid says it’s not a problem.

“You’ve got to have some joy in this world, and if a little five second dance brings you joy, then it’s worth the free coffee.”



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Discolored water reported in 2 Massachusetts towns after long effort to get clean drinking water

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Discolored water reported in 2 Massachusetts towns after long effort to get clean drinking water


Residents in Holbrook and Randolph report muddy, discolored water

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Residents in Holbrook and Randolph report muddy, discolored water

02:13

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HOLBROOK – Residents in two Massachusetts communities are dealing with discolored water coming out of their pipes and they said it’s the latest issue in a years’ long process to get clean water.

Thick, muddy water

When John Davis woke up Tuesday morning in Holbrook, he found thick, muddy water flowing out of his tap. After a quick check of social media, it didn’t take long to figure out most of his neighbors were dealing with the same thing.  

“It was, just, black mud water came out of the tap,” said Davis. “I had a couple of friends that did their laundry. Ruined their laundry, they’ve been bleaching in the sink.” 

Davis has lived in Holbrook his entire life and said Tuesday’s dirty water debacle was just the latest in a years’ long effort to get clean drinking water. Each week for the last two years, Davis has been filling jugs up with clean spring water because the stuff coming out of his tap contains high levels of PFAS or “forever chemicals.” Davis said the town has advised residents not to cook with or drink their tap water. 

New treatment plant

The town is working to fix the issue by developing a so-called Tri-Town Water Treatment Plant out of Braintree. The town of Holbrook said Tuesday’s muddy water is the result of Monday night work on the project. 

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In a statement, the Holbrook Public Works Department said: 

“The Water Department is actively working to address the issue and appreciates your understanding during this time. Additionally, significant work was completed on Monday night on a major water transmission line that supplies the Holbrook’s Water Distribution System from the Randolph/Holbrook joint Water Treatment Plant. This work included the installation of two large junctions that will soon connect to new transmission lines from the Tri-Town Water Treatment Plant under construction in Braintree.” 

The statement went on to say the new plant should be completed by January of 2026. They added if anyone’s water was still discolored Wednesday night, to flush their system by letting their bathtub or shower run.

The neighboring town of Randolph also reported discolored water as a result of the construction. 

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