Early voting has started across Massachusetts, officially kicking off the midterm election.
Voters were able to start filling out ballots at polling places beginning Oct. 22. According to Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office, over 21,200 people participated in early voting on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to early voting, individuals have the option to vote by mail this year. According to Mass Live, around one million voters have requested mail-in ballots. So far, 157,000 ballots have been returned, as reported by NBC10 Boston.
The election will decide the next Mass. governor and other elected executive officials including lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and more. Congressional and state representatives will also be on the ballot in their districts across the commonwealth.
A Suffolk University/Boston Globe/NBC10 Boston/Telemundo poll of likely midterm voters found that Maura Healey, the current attorney general, leads Geoff Diehl, a former state representative, 56% to 33% in the gubernatorial race. 6% of voters said they are undecided.
The poll found that in the race for attorney general, Andrea Campbell leads James McMahon 50% to 30%, with 19% of voters undecided. Should Campbell win in November, she would become the first Black woman to hold a statewide office in Mass.
In addition to candidates, the poll reported voter’s preferences on ballot questions. Question 1, nicknamed the “millionaire’s tax,” could potentially add a 4% increase to income taxes for incomes over $1 million. 56% of voters said they supported the measure and 37% said they opposed it. 4% of voters said they were undecided.
Early voting closes on Nov. 4 and the last day to register to vote in Mass. before this year’s election is Oct. 29. To find your early voting location or to register to vote, visit sec.state.ma.us.
