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.
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. 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
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 (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
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 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
Good morning! We’ve got snow on tap for today, which will linger most of the day and night across southeastern Massachusetts. We’ll dry out in the early evening for most of the rest of eastern Massachusetts, with north central Massachusetts drying out the quickest.
Snow will be widespread throughout the morning and into the early afternoon. As we get to the late afternoon, snow becomes more isolated over central Massachusetts but is still hanging around the coast, southeast Mass. and the Cape and islands.
Into the evening, the snow will become ocean-enhanced over southeast Mass. and the Cape/islands.
That’s where totals will be the highest.
4 to 6 inches of snow is expected there by late Sunday night.
For the rest of us, just a chance for a few inches.
After this storm it’s all about the cold wind. Monday’s lows will drop to the teens with highs in the mid 20s. But a biting wind will make it feel only like the negative single digits in the morning and the teens in the afternoon. Bundle up! At least the sun will be out.
Tuesday is looking mostly sunny and not windy. Lows will drop to the teens with highs in the low 30s. Wednesday, breezy again with a start in the 20s and afternoon temperatures mild in the low 40s. Thursday will be downright warm! We’ll hit the upper 40s with chances for rain in the evening. Friday we’ll reach the low 50s with chances of rain in the morning. Saturday looks dry, partly sunny with highs back to near normal in the mid 30s.
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FILE – A man is using a special electric saw to cut a granite counter in a residential kitchen in preparation for installing a new range top. Getty Images
A Massachusetts man has been diagnosed with a life-altering lung disease linked to popular kitchen countertops.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed this week that its first case of silicosis had been diagnosed in a Hispanic man in his 40s who, for the past 14 years, worked for stone countertop fabrication and installation companies.
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What is silicosis?
Big picture view:
Silicosis is a serious, incurable lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica, which is found naturally in granite and other stones. Silicosis can become progressively disabling and sometimes prove fatal. It almost always results from work-related exposures.
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Dig deeper:
Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, according to OSHA.
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Symptoms:
Symptoms of silicosis can include shortness of breath, cough and fatigue. Workers exposed to airborne crystalline silica also are at increased risk for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease.
What they’re saying:
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“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust. No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”
Tanning beds could triple melanoma risk, new study finds
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Countertop disease
Big picture view:
Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz, and is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks and sand. Cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling and polishing these natural and manufactured stones can release various levels of crystalline silica dust particles that can be inhaled if proper protections aren’t in place.
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Dig deeper:
Engineered or manufactured stone, also commonly called quartz, is particularly problematic since it has more crystalline silica than natural stone.
By the numbers:
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For example, the average percent of crystalline silica in engineered stone is at least 90% in quartz and engineered stone, vs. a 10-45% makeup in granite, according to an OSHA hazard alert.
What you can do:
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Certain engineering controls, such as water spraying systems or remote-controlled tools, can be used to mitigate risk, as well as by wearing proper respiratory protection.
Silica cases in the U.S.
Big picture view:
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Most engineered stone workers with silicosis in the U.S. were exposed to silica at their jobs for over ten years, although some were exposed for less time.
The backstory:
The first reported case of silicosis in the U.S. associated with exposure to silica dust from engineered stone was identified in Texas in 2014, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Since then, other states have reported hundreds of cases, and dozens of deaths, particularly in California.
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Dig deeper:
In the U.S., most engineered stone workers with silicosis are relatively young, male, and Hispanic/Latino. This largely reflects the demographic composition of this industry’s workforce.
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In 2023, over half of workers in this industry were under 45 years old, nearly three-quarters were men, and more than 1 in 3 were Hispanic/Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from a Dec. 9, 2025, alert from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Background information was taken from OSHA. This story was reported from Detroit.
Outdoor dining is out, and igloo dining is officially in.
While winter makes it difficult for diners to enjoy meals outside, several restaurants across Massachusetts break out heated igloos to give guests a chance to still have an outdoor dining experience.
Here’s where you can get that experience for yourself.
206 North Spencer Road
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Black & White Grille has heated igloos for outdoor dining from now until the spring of 2026. The igloos are available daily for lunch and dinner. The igloos fit up to six people, and dining is limited to an hour and 45 minutes. At least two people are required to reserve an igloo, which also comes with a $30 deposit. Reservations can be made online via OpenTable or by calling the business at 508-885-5018.
2 Mercantile St.
Worcester’s first rooftop bar has heated igloos that offer views of downtown. The igloos fit up to six people and can be reserved for up to two hours. Each one costs $50 per party and is available from 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations, which are required, can be made via OpenTable or by calling The Mercantile at 774-389-5180.
2027 Massachusetts Ave.
From November to April, the Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington offers an igloo dining experience called the “INNgloo Wonderland.” The igloos fit up to six people and are available for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday, Saturday High Tea from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday Champagne Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each INNgloo features a faux fireplace heater, mini speaker and twinkly lights. It costs $120 to rent. Reservations can be made online or by calling the Inn at 781-301-6655.
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160 Merrimack St.
Take in views of the Merrimack River from Haverhill’s coastal Italian restaurant, BOSA Coastal Italian. Guests can order from BOSA’s full menu while hanging out in the heated igloos, decorated with LED lights and blankets. The igloos will be open until spring. The igloos fit 6 to 8 people and can be reserved Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling BOSA at 978-641-3149.
70 Sleeper St.
Boston’s popular rooftop igloos and iceboxes are back at the Rooftop at The Envoy Hotel in Seaport. The igloos, which offer views of Boston’s harbor and skyline, can fit groups of up to six people. The heated igloos also come with blankets for extra warmth. Guests can try one of the rooftop’s seasonal cocktails, such as the Gin-gle Bell Hot Toddy or Winter Garden Spritz, as well. Reservations can be made online for two hours at a time. The phone number is 617-530-1538.
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2261 Dorchester Ave.
The Bowery Bar in Dorchester has three heated yurts on its private patio available in the winter. The yurts can be reserved for lunch Monday through Friday, for dinner any day of the week and for brunch on weekends. Depending on the experience, the yurts have a food and beverage minimum of $100, $150 or $200 for a two-hour booking. Reservations can be made online, and any changes should be made by calling The Bowery Bar at 617-698-2261.
973 Providence Highway
Mick Morgan’s in Sharon has eight igloos available during the winter. The restaurant does not take reservations, so all igloos are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The igloos can fit six people and have no time limit. People can call Mick Morgans at 781-806-0066 for more information.
260 W Water St.
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The igloos at Riverhouse Weir Village in Taunton have returned for the winter season, along with the restaurants’ popular Igloo Gingerbread Nights. The igloos fit up to eight people and cost $50 to reserve. Reservations must be made by calling the restaurant at 774-501-2003.
75 Ferry St.
For $5 a person, you can reserve an igloo at The Tipsy Toboggan in Fall River. The restaurant offers igloos for 5 to 8 people and an igloo cabin with tables for up to 4 people. The winter garden can be booked for brunch, lunch or dinner. Reservations last up to two hours and can be made online. The phone number is 508-567-0550.
Did we miss any? Please let us know at dcifarelli@masslive.com.