MELROSE — After months of campaigning, the presidential election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Voters have had the choice to vote by mail, vote early in-person at City Hall (until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1) or to vote in-person on Election Day at the Veterans Memorial Middle School gym, accessed from Melrose Street. The polls on Tuesday are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The election is headlined by a six-candidate race for president. The candidates looking to succeed Democratic President Joe Biden are Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, former Republican President Donald Trump, Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver, Socialism and Liberation Claudia De La Cruz and Independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai.
In the race for U.S. Senate, Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is running against Republican nominee John Deaton.
There is also a two-candidate race for Register of Deeds Middlesex Southern District, pitting Somerville residents Maria C. Curtatone against William Tauro.
Candidates running unopposed in next Tuesday’s election are Democratic Congresswoman Katherine Clark, State Sen. Jason Lewis, State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Governor’s Councilor Terrance Kennedy and Clerk of Courts Michael A. Sullivan.
Ward Hamilton of Melrose is running unchallenged to keep his seat on the Northeast Metro Tech School Committee.
Additionally, there are five questions appearing on the ballot.
Question 1 asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature.
Ballot Question 2 seeks to eliminate the current requirement that students need to pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a high school diploma.
Question 3 asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. Drivers would not be required to engage in any union activities.
Ballot Question 4 is a proposed law that would allow people age 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances in some circumstances.
Question 5 seeks to gradually increase, over the course of five years the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker.
— Bob Katzen of Beacon Hill Roll Call contributed to this report.
