Beyond the Presidency

Anger. Frustration. A sense of disconnectedness. These are the feelings many American Muslims have towards this year’s election. Many of us feel overlooked by major political parties and candidates, with pollsters noting the primary concern for our community is the genocide in Gaza and America’s involvement.

This guide isn’t about endorsing candidates. Instead, it focuses on what’s on the Massachusetts ballot beyond the presidential race. It tells us what our options are for the Massachusetts general election. It highlights that there are many offices for election, including state Senate and House races, and important ballot questions where we can vote “yes” or “no.” Every level of government plays an important role in the quality of life for Muslims and our neighbors across the nation, and here in the Commonwealth.

Voting is one of many forms of advocacy and avenues for change. As such, we urge the community to take this opportunity to stand up for justice at the polls this fall.

Benefits of Voting:

  • By registering to vote, showing up at the polls, and voting and/or abstaining from votes/writing-in candidates, we are building Muslim political power in the US.

  • This year, the collective Muslim vote and mobilization of the Muslim community sends a message to elected officials that if they do not support a ceasefire then they will lose the vote of not only Muslim voters but all voters who call for peace. 

We have an Islamic responsibility to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. As tax-payers and citizens, we are taking advantage of our right to vote standing up for our beliefs.

Step 1: Register to Vote

Step 2: Identify your electoral district(s) and current elected officials

Step 3: Educate yourself on the candidates with help from this guide

Step 4: Find your polling place OR Request mail-in ballot 

Step 5: Vote: In-person at a polling place OR Submit your mail-in ballot in a ballot drop box  

 Due to the surge in mail-in ballots and delays in the postal office, we highly recommend requesting your mail-in ballot and submitting it at least two weeks prior to the election date.   Drop boxes are available across the state as well to submit your mail-in ballot. 

WHAT TO BRING TO THE POLLS

You may need to show identification when you check-in at your polling place if you are a first-time voter in Massachusetts, you’re on the inactive voter list, or a few other reasons. Forms of identification include a driver’s license, a recent utility bill, or rent receipt.

Important Dates and Deadlines

 

General Election Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Voter Registration Deadline:

  • Online: Saturday October 26, 2024

  • Mail: Postmarked by Saturday, October 26, 2020

  • In-person: October 24, 2024

Deadline to Request a Ballot by Mail: October 29, 2024

Early Voting Period: October 19 – November 1, 2024

  • Early Voting Schedules for every city or town will be posted by October 11, 2024

Elected Officials and Responsibilities

President

  • Implement laws created by Congress 

  • Appoint federal advisors to different agencies 

  • Act as the head representative of the nation to foreign leaders

Vice-President

  • Top advisor to the President

  • Can lead their own policy initiative 

  • Becomes President if the current president dies or the 25th amendment is invoked

U.S. Senator

  • Create and pass legislation that will benefit citizens of their state and nation

U.S. Representative/Congressman/Congresswoman

  • Create and pass legislation that will benefit citizens of their state and nation

Councillor (Governor’s Council)

  • Records advice and gives consent on gubernatorial appointments, such as judges, members of the parole board, and justices of the peace

Governor (Gubernatorial)

  • Signing bills into law

  • Serves as commander-in-chief of the state’s National Guard

  • Grants communications and pardons to prisoners

  • Appointing people to various judicial and state offices, such as the Supreme Judicial Court

Lieutenant Governor

  • Part of the Governor’s Council and President whenever the Governor is absent

  • Becomes acting governor for the remainder of the 4-year term the governor was holding if the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office

Attorney General

  • Chief Enforcement Officer and Lawyer for the Commonwealth

Secretary of State

  • Principle public information official

  • Oversees historical records and preservation, public records, and the registry of deeds

County Commissioner

  • Set and implement the policy for the county (where applicable) 

County Treasurer

  • Responsible for maintaining county funds (where applicable) 

State Treasurer

  • Chief Financial Officer

  • Responsible for maintaining state funds by investing and maintaining the State budget

Auditor

  • Accounts for every dollar given to State government

State Senator

  • Create and pass legislation that will benefit citizens of their district as well as the State

State Representative

Create and pass legislation that will benefit citizens of their district as well as the State

District Attorney

  • Top prosecuting attorney for crimes that happen within their county

  • Investigates criminal cases independently and in coordination with local enforcement

  • Determines whether to file criminal charges in court against alleged criminals

  • Must act non-partisan and adhere to the highest law of ethics

Register of Probate

  • Ensures the public is able to navigate the probate court system

Register of Deeds

  • Responsible for real estate registration and land records

Clerk of Courts

  • Manages the court’s single justice caseload

City Councilor

  • Determines city government and administration policies, as well as adopting budgets and legislation

Sheriff

  • Maintains law and order within their jurisdiction

School Board Member

  • Sets the vision and goals for the school district and enforces policies to reach those goals

GENERAL ELECTION 2024 CANDIDATES

Who’s on the Ballot?

The specific offices will vary depending on where you live. In general, you’ll find the following:

Candidates for:

  • U.S. President

  • U.S. Senator

  • U.S. Representative

  • Governor’s Councillor

  • State Senator

  • State Representative

  • Register of Deeds

  • Clerk of Courts

  • County Commissioner (certain counties only)

  • Additional local offices (certain cities and towns)

Note: Only contested races are listed. View full list here.

U.S. PRESIDENT

  • AYYADURAI and ELLIS, Independent 

  • DE LA CRUZ and GARCIA, Socialism and Liberation 

  • HARRIS and WALZ, Democratic 

  • OLIVER and TER MAAT, Libertarian 

  • STEIN and CABALLERO-ROCA, Green-Rainbow Party 

  • TRUMP and VANCE, Republican

U.S. SENATOR

  • Elizabeth Ann Warren, 24 Linnaean St., Cambridge, Democratic

  • John Deaton, 8 Mohill Ave., Swansea, Republican

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

First District

  • Richard E. Neal, 36 Atwater Ter., Springfield 

  • Nadia Donya Milleron, 615 Boardman St., Sheffield, Independent/Unaffiliated

Second District

  • James P. McGovern, 393 Burncoat St., Worcester, Democratic

  • Cornelius Shea, 2 Woodside Dr., Shrewsbury, Independent

Eighth District

  • Stephen F. Lynch, 55 G St., Boston, Democratic 

  • Robert G. Burke, 98 Taylor Ave., Dedham, Republican

Ninth District

  • Bill Keating, 10 Briarwood Ln., Bourne, Democratic 

  • Dan Sullivan, 38 Cape Cod Ave., Plymouth, Republican

COUNCILLOR (GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL)

First District

  • Joseph C. Ferreira, 258 Seaview Ave., Swansea, Democratic 

  • Krysten Condon, 1 Lincoln Hill Ter., Wareham, Independent

Second District

  • Tamisha L. Civil, 803 Central St., Stoughton, Democratic 

  • Francis T. Crimmins, Jr., 271 Plain Dr., Stoughton, Republican

Fifth District

  • Anne M. Manning-Martin, 37 Dexter St., Peabody, Republican 

  • Eunice Delice Zeigler, 25 North St., Methuen, Democratic 

  • Jody A. Elliott, 163 North St., Salem, Independent

Seventh District

  • Paul M. DePalo, 7 Underwood St., Worcester, Democratic 

  • Andrew J. Couture, 64 Farmer Ave., Fitchburg, Republican

STATE SENATOR

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin & Hampshire District

  • Paul W. Mark, 126 Mallard Dr., Becket, Democratic

  • David Rosa, 323 Lincoln Ave., Dighton, Republican

Bristol & Norfolk District

  • Paul R. Feeney, 182 North St., Foxborough, Democratic

  • Laura L. Saylor, 149 Oakland St., Mansfield, Workers Party

Third Bristol & Plymouth District

  • Kelly A. Dooner, 311 Scadding St., Taunton, Republican

  • Joseph Richard Pacheco, 693 Hill St., Raynham, Democratic

  • James B. DuPont, 118 Elm St. East, Raynham, Unenrolled

Cape & Islands District

  • Julian Andre Cyr, 398 Commercial St., Provincetown, Democratic

  • Christopher Robert Lauzon, 443 Flint St., Barnstable, Republican

  • Joe Van Nes, 63 Pond View Farm Rd., West Tisbury, Unenrolled

Second Essex District

  • Joan B. Lovely, 14 Story St., Salem, Democratic

  • Damian Mitchell Anketell, 4 Oran Cir., Peabody, Republican

First Middlesex District

  • Edward J. Kennedy, Jr., 312 Clark Rd., Lowell, Democratic

  • Karla J. Miller, 46 Carly Way, Lowell, Republican

Norfolk, Worcester & Middlesex District

  • Rebecca L. Rausch, 433 Central Ave., Needham, Democratic

  • Dashe M. Videira, 35 Marvin Ave., Franklin, Republican

Plymouth & Barnstable District

  • Dylan Fernandes, 11 George St., Falmouth, Democratic

  • Mathew J. Muratore, 15 Gabriel Ln., Plymouth, Republican

Third Suffolk District

  • Lydia Marie Edwards, 186 London St., Boston, Democratic

  • Jeanna Marie A. Tamas, 56 Waldemar Ave., Winthrop, Republican

Worcester & Hampden District

  • Ryan C. Fattman, 56 Waters Rd., Sutton, Republican

  • Anthony JM Allard, 109 East Hill Rd., Monson, Democratic

Worcester & Hampshire District

  • Peter J. Durant, 109 Charlton Rd., Spencer, Republican

  • Sheila H. Dibb, 209 Pommogussett Rd., Rutland, Democratic

Worcester & Middlesex District

  • John J. Cronin, 13 Providence St., Fitchburg, Democratic

  • Nicholas A. Pirro, III, 12 Robbs Ter., Lunenburg, Republican

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

First Barnstable District

  • Christopher Richard Flanagan, 8 Winstons Path, Dennis, Democratic

  • Gerald Joseph O’Connell, 24 Jeannes Path, Yarmouth, Republican

Second Barnstable District

  • Kip A. Diggs, 46 Penelope Ln., Barnstable, Democratic

  • Susanne H. Conley, 32 Acorn Dr., Barnstable, Republican

Third Barnstable District

  • David T. Vieira, 44 North Ockway Rd., Falmouth, Republican

  • Kathleen Fox Alfano, 160 Jefferson Rd., Bourne, Democratic

Fifth Barnstable District

  • Steven G. Xiarhos, 67 Saddler Ln., Barnstable, Republican

  • Owen G. Fletcher, 66 Captain Aldens Ln., Barnstable, Democratic

Third Berkshire District

  • Leigh Susan Davis, 9 Sumner St., Great Barrington, Democratic

  • Marybeth F. Mitts, 20 Dunmore Ct., Lenox, Independent

First Bristol District

  • Michael Chaisson, 20 A Pleasant St., Foxborough, Republican

  • Kostas Loukos, 15 Coral St., Mansfield, Democratic

Second Bristol District

  • James K. Hawkins, 485 Locust St., Attleboro, Democratic

  • Patricia Bellfield, 108 Newport Ave., Attleboro, Unenrolled

  • Andrew Nelson, 890 West St., Attleboro, Workers Party

Fifth Bristol District

  • Patricia A. Haddad, 250 Marble St., Somerset, Democratic

  • Justin Thurber, 147 Manchester Ave., Somerset, Republican

Eighth Bristol District

  • Steven J. Ouellette, 25 Maple St., Westport, Democratic

  • Christopher Thrasher, 1296 Drift Rd., Westport, Republican

  • Laura A. Hadley, 1 Narrow Ave., Westport, Independent

  • Manuel Soares, Jr., 316 Gifford Rd., Westport, Independent

  • Jesse W. St. Gelais, 32 Gammons Rd., Acushnet, Independent

Ninth Bristol District

  • Christopher Markey, 48 William St., Dartmouth, Democratic

  • Joseph M. Pires, 8 Wamsutta Ln., Rochester, Republican

Fourteenth Bristol District

  • Adam J. Scanlon, 244 Park St., North Attleborough, Democratic

  • David Cannata, Jr., 11 Stagecoach Rd., North Attleborough, Republican

Second Essex District

  • Kristin E. Kassner, 27 Union St., Hamilton, Democratic

  • Mark T. Tashjian, 13 Central St., Georgetown, Republican

Fifth Essex District

  • Ann-Margaret Ferrante, 11 1/2 Proctor St., Gloucester, Democratic

  • Steven G. Leblanc, Jr., 9 Carlisle St., Gloucester, Independent

Sixth Essex District

  • Jerald A. Parisella, 14 Red Rock Ln., Beverly, Democratic

  • Ty Vitale, 8 Appleton Ave., Beverly, Republican

  • Euplio R. Marciano, 141 McKay St., Beverly, All American

Second Franklin District

  • Susannah M. Whipps, 130 Batchelder Rd., Athol, Independent

  • Jeffrey L. Raymond, 586 Riceville Rd., Athol, Republican

Fourth Hampden District

  • Kelly W. Pease, 382 Montgomery Rd., Westfield, Republican

  • Bridget Matthews-Kane, 81 Court St., Westfield, Democratic

First Middlesex District

  • Margaret R. Scarsdale, 90 Nashua Rd., Pepperell, Democratic

  • Lynne E. Archambault, 35 Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Republican

Ninth Middlesex District

  • Thomas M. Stanley, 501 Lexington St., Waltham, Democratic

  • Carly Marie Downs, 51 Pond St., Waltham, Republican

  • Sean Diamond, 3 Marlton Rd., Waltham, Forward

Eleventh Middlesex District

  • Amy Mah Sangiolo, 389 Central St., Newton, Democratic

  • Vladislav S. Yanovsky, 904 Centre St., Newton, Republican

Thirteenth Middlesex District

  • Carmine Lawrence Gentile, 33 Surrey Ln., Sudbury, Democratic

  • Virginia A. Gardner, 138 Pelham Island Rd., Wayland, Republican

Seventeenth Middlesex District

  • Vanna Howard, 200 Market St., Lowell, Democratic

  • Joseph Paul Onoroski, 18 Curtis Dr., Lowell, Pirate

Eighteenth Middlesex District

  • Tara Hong, 22 Canton St., Lowell, Democratic

  • David Michael Ouellette, 113 Cabot St., Lowell, Unenrolled

Nineteenth Middlesex District

  • David Allen Robertson, 7 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, Democratic

  • Paul Sarnowski, 2 Judith Rd., Wilmington, Republican

  • George Hugh Ferdinand, 56 Pratt St., Tewksbury, Independent

Twenty-Second Middlesex District

  • Marc T. Lombardo, 9 Eubar Cir., Billerica, Republican

  • George John Simolaris, Jr., 38 Andover Rd., Billerica, Independent

Second Norfolk District

  • Tackey Chan, 66 Meadowbrook Rd., Quincy, Democratic

  • Sharon Marie Cintolo, 128 Willard St., Quincy, Republican

Seventh Norfolk District

  • Richard Gerard Wells, Jr., 31 Granite Pl., Milton, Democratic

  • Clinton Graham, 9 Hollis St., Milton, Independent

Ninth Norfolk District

  • Marcus S. Vaughn, 35 Rochambeau Ave., Wrentham, Republican

  • Kevin C. Kalkut, 25 Canterberry Ln., Norfolk, Democratic

Tenth Norfolk District

  • Jeffrey N. Roy, 15 Summer St., Franklin, Democratic

  • Charles F. Bailey, III, 715 Summer St., Franklin, Republican

Eleventh Norfolk District

  • Paul McMurtry, 7 South Stone Mill Dr., Dedham, Democratic

  • Andrew M. Pepoli, 56 Greenlodge St., Dedham, Independent

Thirteenth Norfolk District

  • Joshua Tarsky, 1065 South St., Needham, Democratic

  • William R. Dermody, 12 Concord St., Needham, Unenrolled

First Plymouth District

  • Michelle L. Badger, 35 Dorothy Dr., Plymouth, Democratic

  • Jesse G. Brown, 61 John Alden Rd., Plymouth, Republican

Sixth Plymouth District

  • Rebecca W. Coletta, 23 Verna Hall Dr., Pembroke, Democratic

  • Kenneth Peter Sweezey, 180 Schoosett St., Pembroke, Republican

Eighth Plymouth District

  • Dennis C. Gallagher, 160 South Dr., Bridgewater, Democratic

  • Sandra M. Wright, 150 East St., Bridgewater, Republican

Ninth Plymouth District

  • Lawrence Peter Novak, 235 Candy Ln., Brockton, Republican

  • Bridget M. Plouffe, 40 West Ave., Brockton, Democratic

  • Jonathan Wilshire Gill, 24 Main St., Easton, Independent, Unenrolled

Twelfth Plymouth District

  • Kathleen R. LaNatra, 48 Forest St., Kingston, Democratic

  • Eric J. Meschino, 76 Spooner St., Plymouth, Republican

Ninth Suffolk District

  • John Francis Moran, 18 Concord Sq, Boston, Democratic

  • Roy A. Owens, Sr., 6 Woodville St., Boston, Republican

First Worcester District

  • Kimberly N. Ferguson, 902 Oakwood St., Holden, Republican

  • Anthony L. Ferrante, 406 Sterling Rd., Holden, Combat Veteran

Second Worcester District

  • Jonathan D. Zlotnik, 164 Sherman St., Gardner, Democratic

  • Bruce K. Chester, 30 Pine St., Gardner, Republican

Fourth Worcester District

  • Natalie Higgins, 333 Elm St., Leominster, Democratic

  • Salvatore Perla, 294 Main St., Leominster, Republican

Sixth Worcester District

  • John J. Marsi, Jr., 3 Fairview Ave., Dudley, Republican

  • Jeanne Renaud Costello, 34 Main St., Charlton, Democratic

Seventh Worcester District

  • Paul K. Frost, 308 Rochdale St., Auburn, Republican

  • Terry Burke Dotson, 20 Salo Ter., Millbury, Independent

Nineteenth Worcester District

  • Kate Donaghue, 17 Gary Cir., Westborough, Democratic

  • Boyd Stewart Conklin, 8 Water St., Westborough, Massachusetts Great Again

CLERK OF COURTS

Essex County

  • Thomas H. Driscoll, Jr., 28 Crosman Ave., Swampscott, Democratic

  • Todd R. Angilly, 32 Alexandra Rd., Lynnfield, Unenrolled

  •  Doris V. Rodriguez, 121 Stearns Ave., Lawrence, Independent

Nantucket County

  • Colleen Susan Whelden, 14 Baltimore St., Nantucket, Democratic

  • Charles B. Gibson, 9 High Brush Path, Nantucket, Independent

REGISTER OF DEEDS

Essex Southern District

  • Eileen R. Duff, 8 Barberry Heights Rd., Gloucester, Democratic

  • Jonathan Edward Ring, 9 Pooles Ln., Rockport, Republican

Hampden District

  • Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, 67 Rowland St., Springfield, Democratic

  • Bob Collamore, 20 Weymouth St., Springfield, Independent

Middlesex Southern District

  • Maria C. Curtatone, 37 Munroe St., Somerville, Democratic

  • William “Billy” Tauro, 333 Great River Rd., Somerville, Independent

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Barnstable County

  • Mark R. Forest, Democratic

  • Sheila R. Lyons, Democratic

  • Ronald R. Beaty, Jr., Republican

  • Cynthia E. Stead, Republican

Bristol County

  • John R. Mitchell, Democratic

  • Julie Katherine Ruggiero, Democratic

  • Gregory C. Demelo, Unenrolled

Dukes County

  • Tristan R. Israel, Democratic

  • Donald R. Leopold, Democratic

  • Douglas Ruskin, Unenrolled

  • Christine Catherine Todd, Democratic

  • Richard G. Wharton, Democratic

  • Randal Scot Milch, Democratic

Norfolk County

  • Joseph P. Shea, Democratic

  • Richard R. Staiti, Democratic

Plymouth County

  • Gregory M. Hanley, Democratic

  • Jared Louis Valanzola, Republican

  • Rhonda L. Nyman, Democratic

  • Anthony Thomas O’Brien, Sr., Republican

REGISTER OF PROBATE

Suffolk County

  • Stephanie L. Everett, 197 Manchester St., Boston, Democratic

  • Mohamed Bah, 22 Saint Marks Rd., Boston, Independent

Martha’s Vineyard Commission

  • Jeffrey Agnoli, 56 Martha’s Rd., Edgartown 

  • Jay M. Grossman, 36 Hammett Ln., Chilmark 

  • Benjamin F. Robinson, 172 Main St., Tisbury 

  • Ernest Douglas Sederholm, 29 Willow Tree Hollow, West Tisbury 

  • Linda Bauer Sibley, 31 Shadbush Ln., West Tisbury 

  • Brian Conway Smith, 115 California Ave., Oak Bluffs 

  • Michael Carson Mackenty, 20 Old Farms Trail, Edgartown 

  • William Henry O’Brien, 16 Morse Ln., Tisbury 

  • Mary Bernadette Budinger-Cormie, 93 Spring St., Tisbury 

  • Amy M. Upton, 511 Old County Rd., West Tisbury

There are five measures on the state ballot:

Ballot Question 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature

  • YES: A “yes” vote supports explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature.

  • NO: A “no” vote opposes explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions, and activities of the state legislature and any authorities or districts created by the state legislature

Ballot Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement

  • YES: A “yes” vote supports repealing the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.

  • NO: A “no” vote opposes repealing the requirement that students must achieve a certain competency level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam to graduate high school.

Ballot Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers

  • YES: A “yes” vote supports:

  • Providing for unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers;

  • Requiring the state to oversee the negotiations between the parties and approve the negotiated recommendations on wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work; and

  • Requiring collective bargaining agreements to be approved by at least a majority of riders who have completed at least 100 trips during the previous quarter.

  • NO: A “no” vote opposes providing for unionizing and collective bargaining for transportation network drivers.

Ballot Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances

  • YES: A “yes” vote supports this initiative to:

    • Create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Advisory Board to regulate the licensing of psychedelic substances and services,

    • Authorize the personal use of limited amounts of psychedelic substances by individuals 21 years of age or older,

    • Impose an additional excise tax at a rate of 15% on the sale of psychedelic substances, and

    • Authorize localities to levy an additional tax of up to 2% on psychedelic substances and regulate the time, place, and manner of the operation of natural psychedelic substance licensees.

  • NO: A “no” vote opposes this initiative to provide regulated access to certain psychedelic substances and authorize the personal use of limited amounts of psychedelics by individuals 21 years of age or older.

Ballot Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

  • YES: A “yes” vote supports gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029 and continues to permit tipping in addition to the minimum wage.

  • NO: A “no” vote opposes gradually increasing the wage of tipped employees until it meets the state minimum wage in 2029.

SOURCE: Ballotpedia

What’s on the Ballot?

The specific offices will vary depending on where you live. In general, you’ll find the following:

  • Candidates for:
    • U.S. President
    • U.S. Senator
    • U.S. Representative
    • Governor’s Councillor
    • State Senator
    • State Representative
    • Register of Deeds
    • Clerk of Courts
    • County Commissioner (certain counties only)
    • Additional local offices (certain cities and towns)

Look Up Your Sample Ballot

Ballotpedia has a useful tool to preview your ballot before you go to the voter booth.

It also has information on candidates so you can learn more about them. Check out your ballot using the button below.