Get Your Vote On! Massachusetts State District Races

As the summer winds down, campaign season is in full swing. Our state representatives and state senators serve two-year terms, their terms end this year, and the fight  for reelection (or election) is on in districts across the Commonwealth. Incumbents and challengers (along with their supporters) are hard at work canvassing, phone banking, and mailing. The democratic and republican primary elections will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and the days leading up to it will be filled with caffeine and devoid of sleep for those who aspire to legislate.

The state legislature has an immense impact on our sector, so it is “incumbent” to know who the incumbents (and their challengers) are.

To find out who represents you and where to vote come Sept. 9, go here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

To view details on all the races, check out Ballotpedia’s Massachusetts State House of Representatives and Massachusetts State Senate breakdowns.

Chances are good there is a lack of competition in your district. Out of 160 House seats, 17 lack a democratic candidate and 87 lack a republican candidate, according to Mass Political News. In the Senate, which has 40 seats, 3 lack a democratic candidate and 21 lack a republican candidate.

The action will be in the primaries, but even there competition is limited, reports Mass Political News.  The House has 26 contested democratic primaries while the Senate has 6. The House has 10 contested republican primaries while the Senate has 2.

This is all the more reason for our sector to pay attention. If we don’t vote, we lose our voice and our legislators can skate to victory without addressing themselves to the issues that concern and affect us everyday.

Find out who represents you. Visit his or her website. Review the websites of any and all challengers. See where people stand on arts and culture. And make sure to vote!!