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Mass 50501 is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and uplifting the voices of the people. Check out our Protect our Vote campaign to get involved, find voting resources, and learn about actionable steps you can take to protect our vote. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. We must be informed and prepared. Today, we hear from members of Chelmsford Connected, a local chapter of Indivisible.

This November, Question #3 will offer voters the option to eliminate party primaries in Massachusetts. Here is where members of the Mass 50501 Newsletter Team fall on the issue.

This November, Massachusetts voters will be asked to weigh in on whether Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024—An Act Modernizing Firearms Law—should remain on the books. I will be up-front: this piece is going to read as an argument for repeal—in this case, a “no” vote on ballot question 9. However, my point in writing this piece is less to make an argument why you should vote a particular way, and more that in order to vote on whether to keep or repeal a law, we should make sure we read and understand what is actually contained within the text of the legislation.

October 17th, the next No Kings day of action, officially named No Kings: Vote Early, will focus on nonpartisan voter participation to turn people power into voter power. Twenty-two states will already have early voting underway by October 17th, two states will open early voting that day (Nevada and Massachusetts!), and twenty more (plus D.C.) will open early voting within fourteen days of the 17th. So, what are the benefits to early voting?

Last spring, when the second Trump administration was still new, I shuffled nervously into a friend’s home late at night. My arms were full of snacks intended to share with strangers, and I was unsure what to expect. People from the neighborhood showed up one by one, all bearing copious amounts of food, none seemingly hungry. As the trays and boxes loaded with a variety of treats became ever more precariously placed on shrinking table space, we sat in a circle and, one by one, explained who we were and why we were there. Our neighborhood at the time was plastered with Trump’s name, Trump’s face, and the paranoia-fueled hatred of the “Other.”

Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. Attempts to undermine free and democratic midterm elections are well underway. In order to reverse democratic backsliding, we must take a stand to protect free and democratic elections in the United States proactively. That’s why Mass 50501 launched our Protect Our Vote campaign.

When you voted in the primaries, you may have noticed the many workers who made it possible for you to cast your vote in a safe, efficient environment. So who are these mysterious facilitators of democracy? They are local poll volunteers and workers! We asked one of our own Mass 50501 volunteers who has been a poll worker a few questions that may shine a light on the election process, and encourage you to reach out to your City or Town Clerk to find out how you can get involved in your own community.

Mass 50501 is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and uplifting the voices of the people. Check out our Protect our Vote campaign to get involved, find voting resources, and learn about actionable steps you can take to protect our vote. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of this country, but that foundation is on shaky ground. We must be informed and prepared. Today, we hear from Carlos Ramirez, member of Ballot Integrity Alliance - Cincinnati, a small pro-democracy grassroots organization based in Ohio.

At Mass 50501, we believe that empowered citizens power a stronger democracy. We reached out to all four candidates for the Massachusetts 5th Congressional District seat to hear their thoughts on impeachment, ICE, Flock, AI, and more.

Over the weekend of July 17-19, Mass 50501 participated in Good Trouble’s national weekend of action honoring the late congressman John Lewis. Throughout his life, Lewis worked tirelessly for civil rights and particularly for equal access to voting rights. Our country’s history of voting rights is messy, complex, at times painful, and—importantly—still being written.