Election Day

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Polls close at 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. can still vote. New Bedford polls open at 7 a.m.; opening times can differ in other cities and towns, so check with your clerk.

Results

The state does not post unofficial results on election night. Its results site added the September primary about a week after the vote, so official numbers will appear here later. Election-night counts come from city and town election offices and from news reports, so check our headlines and town pages. When the state publishes, this page picks it up within 30 minutes and shows Bristol County totals for statewide races and ballot questions. The full count will be on the state results site.

Statewide ballot questions

Question 1: Public records law for the Legislature and governorPassed
Question 2: Union rights for public defendersPassed
Question 3: All-party primariesFailed
Question 4: Same-day voter registrationPassed
Question 5: State revenue limit and taxpayer rebatesToo close to call
Question 6: Nature for All conservation fundPassed
Question 7: Single-family homes on 5,000 sq. ft. lotsToo close to call
Question 8: Repeal of recreational marijuana salesRejected
Question 9: 2024 firearms lawLaw stands

As of Wednesday, Nov. 4, morning. Unofficial and based on Associated Press calls as reported by WBUR and CBS Boston. Local figures come from the Fall River Reporter (city results) and The Sun Chronicle (Attleboro area). Final results come when the state certifies, which Secretary Galvin's office expects the first Wednesday in December.

WBUR: ballot question results; CBS Boston: what passed and what didn't; Fall River Reporter: how Fall River voted; The Sun Chronicle: Attleboro-area results.

Race tracker

The three federal races that include Bristol County. A winner appears once news decision desks (such as the AP) or the betting markets on Kalshi and Polymarket call the race. A call is not an official result. Until a race is called, the card shows the market odds.

U.S. Senate

Checking the call…

U.S. House, 4th District

Checking the call…

U.S. House, 9th District

Checking the call…

Calls come from our Market vs. Desk tracker (read-only; we do not trade). These markets cover U.S. Senate and House races only, so state and county races use reported counts.

Polling places

Your polling place depends on your address. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's lookup shows yours.

Find your polling place

Polling place changes

New Bedford, Ward 5, Precinct C: now at St. Teresa of Calcutta School, 180 Orchard St. (was Moose Home (Lodge)).
New Bedford, Ward 6, Precinct F: now at New Life Southcoast Church, 1331-1335 Cove Road (was Moose Home (Lodge)).

Source: New Bedford city officials, via The New Bedford Light. New Bedford Board of Election Commissioners: (508) 979-1420.

Acushnet Attleboro Berkley Dartmouth Dighton Easton Fairhaven Fall River Freetown Mansfield New Bedford North Attleborough Norton Raynham Rehoboth Seekonk Somerset Swansea Taunton Westport

Other towns have not announced changes that we have seen. Call your town or city clerk with questions. Town pages have local news.

Statewide ballot questions

Nine binding questions are on every Massachusetts ballot. Wording below follows the Secretary of the Commonwealth's summaries.

Question 1 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Public records law for the Legislature and governor Passed

Result: About 86% yes to 14% no in the Wednesday morning count. Fall River: yes, 78.97%.

Would make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records, with exemptions for policy-development documents and for constituent-service communications.

A yes vote: Makes most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
A no vote: Makes no change to the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 2 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Union rights for public defenders Passed

Result: Employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services can now take steps to form a union. Fall River: yes, 57.52%.

Would let employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services bargain collectively and require the committee to ask the governor for money to fund any contract.

A yes vote: Specifies that Committee for Public Counsel Services employees may form a union to collectively bargain with their employer.
A no vote: Makes no change to the law governing labor relations for those employees.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 3 · Law proposed by initiative petition

All-party primaries Failed

Result: Voters kept the current primary system. Supporters conceded just after 11 p.m. Tuesday. Fall River: no, 11,341 to 8,518.

Would replace party primaries for state elections with one primary where all candidates appear on one ballot and the top two advance, and would require governor and lieutenant governor candidates to run jointly in the primary.

A yes vote: Eliminates separate party primaries for state elections and requires a single primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot and the top two advance to the general election.
A no vote: Makes no change to the laws governing primary elections.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 4 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Same-day voter registration Passed

Result: The AP called it for yes just before 2 a.m. Wednesday. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2028. Fall River: yes by 124 votes, 9,887 to 9,763. Attleboro area: voters rejected it.

Would let eligible people register to vote, or update their registration address, at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residency and a signed oath. It would take effect January 1, 2028.

A yes vote: Permits eligible citizens to register to vote or update their voter registration address at their polling place on Election Day.
A no vote: Makes no change to the laws governing voter registration.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 5 · Law proposed by initiative petition

State revenue limit and taxpayer rebates Too close to call

Result: The campaign conceded defeat just before 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, but the AP had not called it. Fall River: yes, 56.15%. Attleboro area: voters supported it.

Would cap state revenue each year at the prior year's amount plus the average growth in Massachusetts wages over three years, with any excess refunded to taxpayers the following year. The limit would apply from July 1, 2027.

A yes vote: Changes the limit on state revenue collection and provides for a rebate of revenue above that limit.
A no vote: Makes no change in the law on state revenue collection.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 6 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Nature for All conservation fund Passed

Result: The AP projected it would pass. Fall River: yes, 53.43%.

Would create a Nature for All Fund for land and natural resource conservation, paid for by state sales and use taxes on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses, with a 15-member board. It would take effect July 1, 2027.

A yes vote: Creates a fund for natural resource conservation that receives some state taxes collected on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses.
A no vote: Does not create the fund or change how sales and use taxes are spent.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 7 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Single-family homes on 5,000 sq. ft. lots Too close to call

Result: Statewide the vote was split about 50% to 50% Wednesday morning. If it passes, it takes effect 30 days after the election is certified. Fall River: no, 10,391 to 9,053.

Would allow single-family homes in residentially zoned areas on lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of street frontage and public water and sewer, while letting towns regulate height, setbacks, open space, parking and short-term rentals.

A yes vote: Allows single-family homes on lots of 5,000 square feet or more in residential areas, subject to reasonable local regulation.
A no vote: Makes no change to the law on building single-family homes.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 8 · Law proposed by initiative petition

Repeal of recreational marijuana sales Rejected

Result: The repeal was rejected in a landslide, with roughly three-quarters of voters opposed. Fall River: no, 72.12%. Attleboro area: voters rejected the repeal.

Would repeal the laws that legalize, regulate and tax retail sales of adult-use marijuana, allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce, and keep the Cannabis Control Commission for the medical market only. It would take effect January 1, 2028.

A yes vote: Prohibits the legalization, regulation and taxation of retail sales of adult recreational marijuana and changes the penalties for possession.
A no vote: Makes no change to the law on marijuana.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Question 9 · Referendum on an existing law

2024 firearms law Law stands

Result: Voters kept the 2024 firearms law, so the repeal did not pass. Final percentages were not in the sources we checked. Fall River: yes (keep the law), 56.26%. Attleboro area: voters rejected the repeal.

A referendum on the 2024 firearms law, which the House passed 124 to 33 and the Senate 35 to 5. The law covers extreme risk protection orders, ghost guns, licensing, machine-gun definitions and firearms in government buildings, polling places and schools. A yes vote keeps the law and a no vote repeals it.

A yes vote: Keeps in place the law, which increases the regulation of firearms, including ghost guns, machine guns and assault-style weapons.
A no vote: Repeals the law.

Official arguments for and against (Information for Voters) · Who is funding each side (state OCPF)

Local, non-binding

Question 10 (non-binding): abolishing Norfolk County government

Shall the Representative from this District be instructed to file and support legislation abolishing Norfolk County government?

Appears on ballots in the First Bristol and Fifth Norfolk Representative Districts. The result is advisory. In Bristol County it appears in the First Bristol Representative District.

Full text and the Information for Voters booklet: Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Who is running

Candidates on the November ballot in races that include Bristol County, as listed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Where only one name is listed, that candidate is unopposed on the printed ballot.

We do not endorse candidates or questions. Office descriptions and incumbency come from public records, and the links go to nonpartisan or official sources where you can compare candidates and read both sides.

Vote411, from the League of Women Voters: A nonpartisan guide that shows your ballot and candidates' answers to the same questions.
Information for Voters booklet: The Secretary of the Commonwealth's guide, with the official arguments for and against each ballot question.
Office of Campaign and Political Finance: State campaign finance reports for candidates and ballot question committees.
Federal Election Commission: Campaign finance reports for U.S. Senate and House candidates.

Statewide

U.S. Senator

Edward J. MarkeyDemocratic · Malden
John DeatonRepublican · Bolton
Shiva AyyaduraiIndependent · Belmont
Joe TacheSocialism and Liberation · Boston

About the office. One of Massachusetts's two U.S. senators. Senators serve six-year terms and vote on federal laws, treaties and confirmations of judges and cabinet officers.

Incumbent: Edward J. Markey (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (FEC)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Maura Healey and Kim DriscollDemocratic
Mike Minogue and Shawn OliverRepublican
James and KittredgeIndependent

Tickets are listed as the state prints them. Minogue has said he would govern without a lieutenant governor.

About the office. The governor is the state's chief executive: proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills and appoints judges, with the Governor's Council's approval. Four-year term. The lieutenant governor runs on the governor's ticket and steps in if the governor leaves office.

Incumbents: Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll (Democrats).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

Attorney General

Andrea Joy CampbellDemocratic · Dartmouth
Michael C. WalshRepublican · Lynnfield

About the office. The state's chief law officer. Represents the state in court, enforces consumer protection and civil rights laws and advises state agencies on the law. Four-year term.

Incumbent: Andrea Joy Campbell (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

Secretary of the Commonwealth

William Francis GalvinDemocratic · Boston
Anne R. BrensleyRepublican · Wayland

About the office. Runs state elections, keeps public records and the state archives and registers corporations and securities firms. Four-year term.

Incumbent: William Francis Galvin (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

Treasurer

Deborah B. GoldbergDemocratic · Brookline
Elizabeth DionneRepublican · Belmont

About the office. The state's chief financial officer. Manages state cash and borrowing and oversees the State Lottery and the unclaimed property program. Four-year term.

Incumbent: Deborah B. Goldberg (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

Auditor

Diana DiZoglioDemocratic · Methuen
Al OzonoffLibertarian · Medford

About the office. Audits state agencies, programs and contracts and reports on waste, fraud and abuse. Four-year term.

Incumbent: Diana DiZoglio (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

U.S. House

Bristol County towns are in the 4th and 9th Districts. Use the state lookup if you are not sure which one you live in.

U.S. Representative, Fourth District

Jake AuchinclossDemocratic · Newton
Thomas StalcupRepublican · Brookline

About the office. Represents one of Massachusetts's nine districts in the U.S. House, which writes federal spending and tax bills. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Jake Auchincloss (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (FEC)

U.S. Representative, Ninth District

Bill KeatingDemocratic · Bourne
R. Tyler MacallisterRepublican · Mattapoisett

About the office. Represents one of Massachusetts's nine districts in the U.S. House, which writes federal spending and tax bills. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Bill Keating (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (FEC)

Governor's Council

Governor's Council, 1st District

Joseph C. FerreiraDemocratic · Swansea

Only candidate listed.

About the office. The eight-member Governor's Council approves judicial nominations, pardons and commutations and some other appointments. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Joseph C. Ferreira (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

State Senate

State Senator, Bristol & Norfolk

Paul Richard FeeneyDemocratic · Foxborough

Only candidate listed.

About the office. One of 40 members of the state Senate, which votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Paul Richard Feeney (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

State Senator, First Bristol & Plymouth

Michael J. RodriguesDemocratic · Westport
Gabriel Boomer AmaralRepublican · Fall River

About the office. One of 40 members of the state Senate, which votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Michael J. Rodrigues (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

State Senator, Second Bristol & Plymouth

Mark C.W. MontignyDemocratic · New Bedford
Robert Scott McConnellRepublican · Fairhaven

About the office. One of 40 members of the state Senate, which votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term.

Incumbent: Mark C.W. Montigny (Democrat).

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

State Senator, Third Bristol & Plymouth

Kelly A. DoonerRepublican · Taunton

Only candidate listed.

About the office. One of 40 members of the state Senate, which votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term.

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)

State Senator, Norfolk, Plymouth & Bristol

William J. Driscoll, Jr.Democratic · Milton

Only candidate listed.

About the office. One of 40 members of the state Senate, which votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term.

Vote411 voter guide (League of Women Voters) · Campaign finance reports (state OCPF)