I pay attention to politics more than most. Partially for work and partially out of personal interest. In fact, in the run up to this election, my checking of political Twitter may be described as obsessive. Yet, a majority of my attention has been toward races outside of Massachusetts. When I went to vote last weekend during early voting, I realized after I had my ballot in-hand that I wasn’t fully prepared for the scope of elections and ballot questions I was asked to vote on. Don’t be like me. Plan ahead.
On my ballot were elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Governor’s Councilor, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Register of Deeds, County Treasurer, County Commissioner, and three statewide ballot questions. Your Massachusetts ballot is going to be very similar.
Each one of these elections matter. You may not know what your Clerk of Courts or County Commissioner does, but you’re being asked to decide who fills those important jobs. Do some research ahead of time and you’ll make a more informed choice and we’ll have better public servants in all positions. Moreover, the ballot questions can be confusing if you are reading them for the first time in the voting booth. The Secretary of State’s office puts together a thorough guide to ballot questions that is worth reviewing.
Lastly, we here at MassBio are asking you to vote Yes on Question 3 to protect transgender rights. Discrimination has no place in Massachusetts. Not only that, but repealing this civil right by voting NO is bad for business and our state’s economy.
Polls in Massachusetts are open from 7am to 8pm. Make a plan for when you’re going to vote and how you’re going to get there. Don’t leave it up in the air until the last minute. If you live in Massachusetts, go here to see your sample ballot in advance. Go vote!
– Zach Stanley, VP of Public Affairs at MassBio