The Presidential/State Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Out of Wellesley’s 18,160 active registered voters, about 50% of them have already voted, either by mail or during the early voting period, according to the Wellesley Town Clerk’s office.
Among those voting early was Isabelle, a first year student from Texas atteding Wellesley College.
If you haven’t voted yet, you can do so either in-person at the polls, or drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at Town Hall, or at the police station drop box. Here are the details:
Vote in-person, at the polls
Polls will be open 7am-8pm on Tuesday, Nov. 5
Wellesley Precinct locations (Some of the polling locations have changed. See Map.)
- NEW LOCATION: Precincts A and C: Upham Elementary School, 35 Wynnewood Rd.
- Precinct B: Sprague Elementary School, 401 School St.
- Precincts D and E: Warren Building, 90 Washington St.
- Precincts F and G: Shipley Center, Dana Hall School, 142 Grove St.
- Precinct H: Tolles Parsons Center, Council on Aging, 500 Washington St.
Don’t know what precinct you’re in? Find out here.
Drop off your Vote by Mail ballot
If you requested a Vote by Mail ballot, it must be POSTMARKED or hand delivered no later than 8pm on Tuesday Nov. 5, 2024 to Temporary Town Hall at 888 Worcester Street, Suite 140 (ballots must be brought inside to Suite 140–there is not a drop box at Temporary Town Hall). Ballots may also be brought to the secure drop box at the Police Station at 485 Washington Street.
At this point, do not try to send your Vote by Mail ballot via the United States Postal Service, as it will likely not be postmarked or delivered by the deadline.
Vote by Mail ballots may NOT be dropped off at polling locations.
Voters who have received a Vote by Mail ballot may change their mind and vote in-person only if they have not returned their ballot. Only the first ballot submitted will be counted.
Offices on Ballot
- Electors of President and Vice President
- U.S. Senator in Congress
- U.S. Representative in Congress
- Governor’s Councillor
- State Senator in General Court
- State Representative in General Court
- Clerk of Courts
- Register of Deeds
- County Commissioner (certain counties only)
- Additional local offices (certain cities and towns)
Here are the sample ballots
Sample ballot for Wellesley precincts A, B, C, D, G, H
Sample ballot for Wellesley precincts E, F
The ballot questions
Massachusetts voters are asked to weigh in on five ballot questions ranging from the MCAS test to the legalization of some psychedelic substances. The State sent an information packet on the ballot questions by USPS to all residences (not just those of registered voters). Last saw yours around a couple of weeks ago but aren’t sure where it ended up? No problem, the entire packet can be located online here.
Question 1—State Auditor’s authority to audit the legislature
This proposed law would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
A YES vote would specify that the State Auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature.
A NO vote would make no change in the law relative to the State Auditor’s authority.
Question 2—MCAS
This proposed law would eliminate the requirement that a student pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in math, science and technology, and English in order to receive a high school diploma. Instead, in order for a student to receive a high school diploma, the proposed law would require the student to complete coursework certified by the student’s district as demonstrating mastery of the competencies contained in the state academic standards in mathematics, science and technology, and English, as well as any additional areas determined by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
A YES vote would would eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS in order to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards.
A NO vote would would make no change in the law relative to the requirement that a student pass the MCAS in order to graduate high school.
Question 3—Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers
This proposed law would allow Transportation Network Drivers to form unions to collectively bargain with Transportation Network Companies, which are companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation-to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. Drivers would not be required to engage in any union activities. Companies would be allowed to form multi-Company associations to represent them when negotiating with Driver Organizations. The state would supervise the labor activities permitted by the proposed law and would have responsibility for approving or disapproving the negotiated recommendations. Read the entire summary here.
A YES vote would provide transportation network drivers the option to form unions to collectively bargain with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work.
A NO vote would make no change in the law relative to the ability of transportation network drivers to form unions.
Question 4—Limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances
This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocyn) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine). These substances could be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator. This proposed law would otherwise prohibit any retail sale of natural psychedelic substances. This proposed law would also provide for the regulation and taxation of these psychedelic substances. Read the entire summary here.
A YES vote would allow persons over age 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision and to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their home, and would create a commission to regulate those substances.
A NO vote would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances.
Question 5—Minimum wage for tipped workers
This proposed law would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker, over the course of five years. Under the proposed law, if an employer pays its workers an hourly wage that is at least the state minimum wage, the employer would be permitted to administer a “tip pool” that combines all the tips given by customers to tipped workers and distributes them among all the workers, including non-tipped workers. Read the entire summary here.
A YES vote would increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker to the full state minimum wage implemented over five years, at which point employers could pool all tips and distribute them to all non-management workers.
A NO vote would make no change in the law governing tip pooling or the minimum wage for tipped workers.
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