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After unveiling new signage making visible the shift to new owner Brown University Health on Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Maura Healey toured Saint Anne’s Hospital and celebrated that Massachusetts did “something that no other state was able to do” as Steward Health Care collapsed. Saint Anne’s was one of eight Steward hospitals in Massachusetts whose futures were thrown into doubt earlier this year when Steward’s financial problems came to light and then when the company filed for bankruptcy. The Fall River hospital is one of six former Steward hospitals that remain open under new management. Brown University Health (formerly known as Lifespan) finalized the acquisition of Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton for $175 million on Oct. 1 and on Tuesday hosted the governor, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein and others from Beacon Hill to see the facility and help rebrand it with Brown Health signage and logos. “I’m proud that, in Massachusetts, we were able to do something that no other state was able to do. There were Steward facilities in states around the country, but only in Massachusetts were we able to do what we did, which was to save hospitals, to protect jobs and to protect the stability of a health care market and access to critically needed care. That includes 1,500 jobs right here,” Healey said. St. Anne’s is considered a mid-sized community hospital with a high public payer mix and 187 staffed beds, according to the most recent hospital profile on file with the Center for Health Information and Analysis. The hospital had about 1,082 full-time equivalent employees as of 2022 and reported $323.4 million in annual revenue. Get top local stories in Boston delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Boston’s News Headlines newsletter. St. Anne’s had 9,479 inpatient discharges in 2022 with an average length of stay of 5.1 days, according to the CHIA profile, and also fielded 45,532 emergency department visits and 157,454 outpatient visits. Just more than half of the people who left the hospital were discharged to Fall River. The Massachusetts subsidiary of the Rhode Island-based Brown Health said when it acquired Steward hospitals that its purchases represented the next step in building “a non-profit regional healthcare organization focused on expanding access to care for all” along the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border. Brown Health, which is Rhode Island’s largest hospital system, also includes in its portfolio the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the Miriam Hospital, Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan Physician Group, and Coastal Medical. And the company has ties between its executive suite and Massachusetts. President and CEO John Fernandez left his job as president of Mass Eye and Ear and president of Mass General Brigham Integrated Care to take over at Lifespan in early 2023. And Chief Financial Officer Peter Markell joined Lifespan around the same time after a career as executive vice president of administration and finance, and chief financial officer and treasurer of Mass General Brigham. Walsh, the former head of Boston Medical Center, said she enjoyed her previous experience working with Fernandez. She said she’s confident he’s right for the job ahead. “John and I had the opportunity to work together earlier in our careers, and you guys should just buckle up. He’s a bundle of energy. He’s a lot of ideas. He’s the guy, when we were working together, the budget would be done and he’d say, ‘I have an idea!’ Like, ‘oh no!’ So this will be a very busy, thriving, exciting part of this community and I can’t wait to come back down and congratulate you all again,” she said. More on Steward Health Care health care Oct 7 Steward bankruptcy: Closure notice for Norwood Hospital, still-operating clinics Oct 1 Healey says hospitals are ‘freed from Steward's greed' as new operators step in Sep 27 Mass. seizes St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in effort to keep hospital running Fernandez said Tuesday that Saint Anne’s has “work to be done” but added that the physical condition of the facility was “as we thought” when bidding on it. “But the really pleasant surprise is the people were better than we thought,” he added. The Healey administration has already committed at least $417 million in public aid in part to help the new operators address infrastructure and capital needs at the former Steward hospitals. Walsh said again Tuesday that the administration “will help the acquirers.” The secretary said the good thing about Steward’s bankruptcy process is that the new operators have been able to take over without being responsible for Steward’s debts, but the downside is that they also have no working capital. “So Brown has to make investments in keeping the place running until the services that they’re providing right now, today, until they get paid for. So that’s about probably 90 days of working capital that Brown and Brown Health is providing to keep these hospitals open, and we are enormously grateful for them stepping up,” Walsh said. The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that Brown Health had been in talks with the Fall River Diocese about maintaining the Catholic identity and name of Saint Anne’s Hospital, which was founded by Dominican Sisters of the Presentation and was part of the Catholic Caritas Christi Health Care system before that was bought out by Steward. Such an agreement would likely involve keeping religious items in the hospital and following Catholic edicts governing medical treatment. “We’re in the process of working out an arrangement with the Archdiocese of Fall River,” Fernandez told the Globe. Healey ended her stop in Fall River by encouraging people in the area to seek care at Saint Anne’s. “I know there’s been an uptick in utilization, people coming here, I think in part because there’s a sense of, you know, now things are … the ship has been steered,” she said. “So it’s just to say, as we face the winter and cold and flu season and everything else, this is a place with wonderful providers who are ready to provide wonderful care.”

A baseball card so rare that some doubted it even existed has been found in Danvers, Massachusetts. The story of how a Babe Ruth Boston Red Sox rookie card was found is a home run in itself. “Oh, this story is crazy,” said Jeff Gross, who collects vintage cards. Gross loves baseball cards and has the Newburyport home office to prove it. This June, he got to talking to a guy who stopped by a family estate sale in Danvers, and the subject naturally turned to baseball cards. “‘You have Babe Ruth Morehouse Bakery cards?’ He said, ‘I do,'” Gross remembered of that initial conversation. The Danvers man, who wants to remain anonymous, told Gross his father used to collect the Morehouse Bakery cards, and more than 100, including two Ruth rookie cards, were just sitting around in boxes. “This is Babe Ruth, 1916, rookie pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He wasn’t a Yankee yet, he wasn’t hitting home runs, skinny little kid, left hander,” said Gross. The Ruth rookie card, and the rest of the collection, was a promotion by Morehouse Bakery in Lawrence, a bid to make some dough by selling more bread. “It’s actually what’s on the back of these cards that is what really, really adds the value and rarity here, which is that Morehouse Baking advertising back,” said PJ Kinsella, with Robert Edward Auctions, which is auctioning the Morehouse collection starting Friday. “It is a very exciting find.” The Ruth rookie card in better condition is expected to fetch at least $500,000. Gross, who has been collecting vintage cards for years, is helping sell the cards, and he plans to have the card owner and his wife over on Friday night for a bid watching party. “Someone said this morning, ‘Does he know he won the lottery?’ I said, ‘He does now. He does now,'” Gross said. “My joke with my wife is next time, we will just have another yard sale and wait for the next million-dollar collection to roll in.” This is just the latest fantastic find. Earlier this year, Jason West told NBC10 Boston about his discovery of an unopened 1952 Bowman baseball card pack. He says he has yet to open the pack, which could be worth up to a million dollars. “The whole thing is super cool,” said Gross. More baseball news MLB Nov 18 CC Sabathia and Ichiro headline list of 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame candidates MLB Nov 12 MLB Silver Slugger winners: Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge headline 2024 recipients Boston Red Sox Nov 12 Red Sox offseason tracker: Rumors, signings, trades, and more

The Massachusetts State Police, once regarded as the preeminent law enforcement agency in the state, has faced a series of high-profile scandals in recent years that have cast a shadow over its reputation.  These controversies have sparked a strong reaction among Massachusetts taxpayers and raised serious questions about accountability and integrity within the force.  As trust in law enforcement nationwide continues to be a critical issue, the unraveling of these scandals has profoundly affected public perception of the state police, prompting calls for reform and a closer look at how the institution has remained mired in negative headlines. “I mean, internally, there’s no incentive to change. It has to come from the outside and say, ‘No, we want to stop this. We want a different approach.’ And that just hasn’t happened yet,” Boston Globe columnist and associate editor Joan Vennochi said. This is part of our series, “Commonwealth Confidential: State of Policing.” Learn much more on police in Massachusetts here. Most recently, the lack of details on the tragic death of Massachusetts State Police trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia raised urgent questions about the agency’s training practices at its academy. A panel commissioned by Gov. Michael Dukakis following the death of a state police recruit in the late 1980s was tasked with investigating policies and procedures surrounding training at police academies, and making recommendations on best practices.  Three decades later, former state lawmaker and committee member Kevin Blanchette compared reaction from state leaders between the two tragedies.   “What is disconcerting is that something happened and we don’t know. And I think we public have a right to know what happened,” Blanchette said. “The silence is deafening. Back then, there was a swift, swift reaction. I don’t want to call it inaction, necessarily, but the silence, the fact that everything’s gone quiet. Everything’s gone dark.” The public is awaiting the findings of an independent attorney who was hired to investigate the circumstances surrounding Delgado-Garcia’s death.  However, as the comments to any state police social media post suggest, it is clear some taxpayers have lost patience with the lack of answers. A mundane post about a traffic alert can generate dozens of angry posts about the recruit’s death or other notable controversies.  “What happened with Enrique Delgado-Garcia? We want justice. We demand answers,” one user commented on a post commemorating women serving with the State Police.  The “steady drumbeat” of scandals trace back to the widespread overtime fraud scandal in 2018, continuing through the explosive testimony of the lead investigator in the high-profile Karen Read murder trial this summer.  These scandals have caused concern to the public over whether the agency consists of a few bad apples or if there is an overall culture problem. “I talked about the culture of the police and the sort of the sexism and misogyny that came out of the state police investigators [in the trial],” Vennochi mentioned, in reference to a column she wrote on the topic. “Again, I’m not saying every state trooper is that way, but when you’ve got a whole agency that sort of just comes from this male culture of warriors, it’s not that surprising.”  Joan Vennochi speaking to NBC10 Boston’s Sue O’Connell at the Boston Media Center Col. Geoffrey Noble, who was sworn in to lead the agency by Gov. Maura Healy in October, addressed public sentiment and the regaining of trust while speaking at the 90th Recruit Training Troop graduation.  As the new leader of the agency, Noble told the new troopers that he would work hard to gain trust in the community and said he wanted that to trickle down to all ranks of the force.  “The most important tool you have is not a piece of equipment on your belt or in your cruiser, it is the public trust that we must earn every day,” Noble told new troopers. “As you start your career, you must earn and maintain that trust to the people we serve every single day, both on and off duty.” What the public thinks of Massachusetts State Police NBC10 Boston teamed up with journalism students at Boston University’s College of Communication for a deeper dive into the state police. In an in-depth reporting class taught by NBC10 Investigator Ryan Kath, we explored angles about the culture inside the Academy, how deaths are investigated in Massachusetts, concerns about lack of transparency, complaints about racial and gender discrimination and what it will take to restore public trust.  Last month, two BU students hit the street with NBC10 commentator Sue O’Connell and asked people walking near Copley Square a simple question: “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Massachusetts State Police?” Some of the responses about the state’s largest law enforcement were positive, including words like “reliability,” “safety” and “traffic stops.” “I feel like they do a good job in making sure that we’re safe by patrolling and making their presence known,” one local said.  However, some people were quick to blurt out words like “criminals,” “scandals,” “problems” and “corruption.” “If you asked me that, like, maybe two years ago, I’d say protection, power, and on our side,” a woman answered. “But if you asked me today, I think there are some bad apples that need to be removed.” When we asked about potential changes to the force, several people referenced a change to the culture and curriculum at the Academy. “Those physical exercises give me a great deal of worry,” a woman said. “They really need to change their ways so nobody gets hurt.” Clare Olson interviewing a woman in Boston about the Massachusetts State Police. Michael Rodriguez interviewing a woman in Boston about the Massachusetts State Police. Other taxpayers emphasized a need for accountability, especially when misconduct is exposed. The big question: What does the Massachusetts State Police need to do to turn the tide of public sentiment? “There are good police officers and the issue here is that we need to make sure that the bad apples are cleared out,” one taxpayer told us. “It’s kind of sad that the good ones, when they see something wrong in their department, feel like they can’t speak up. They need to have that protection so that it can be nipped in the bud.”  The story was reported by BU students Olson and Rodriguez and edited by Kath. More from Commonwealth Confidential: State of Policing Massachusetts Nov 18 Commonwealth Confidential: State of Policing Massachusetts State Police Nov 18 TIMELINE: Controversy and scandal at Mass. State Police

Deadlines, rules and ballot questions differ in every state. Here’s what you need to know to plan your vote if you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont. Massachusetts election deadlines Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 11 Local early voting schedule becomes available Oct.19 Early voting period begins Oct. 26 Deadline to register to vote in person, by mail and online Oct. 29 Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot Nov. 1 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Election Day Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this day in order to be counted. How can I register to vote in Massachusetts? If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. And you are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to register to vote in Massachusetts If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. You are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to vote by mail in Massachusetts If you are unable to vote in person in Massachusetts on Election Day or during the early voting period, you can vote by mail. You don’t need a reason or a witness to vote by mail, but you must return your ballot before the polls close on Election Day. The office of the Secretary of State William Francis Galvin suggests applying as early as possible, especially if your ballot needs to be mailed. The office recommends allowing up to seven days for delivery and applying two or three weeks before Election Day. There are several options to return a mail-in ballot.  You can mail it back using the envelope provided, hand deliver it to your local election office, drop it off at an early voting location during early voting hours or use a ballot drop box. How does early voting work in Massachusetts? You may also consider voting early in person. The early voting period offers voters the ability to vote before Election Day and usually in a less crowded location. Currently, 47 states, including Massachusetts, allow early in-person voting.  The early voting period in Massachusetts begins on Oct. 19 and ends on Nov. 1. There is no appointment or application required to vote early in person, you can just visit your local early voting location. Lines may be longer on the first and last days of early voting, so Galvin’s office recommends going on off hours. Each city and town in the state must offer at least one early voting location. The locations will be posted on the website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at least one week before the early voting period begins. Massachusetts ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Massachusetts voters to decide on. Massachusetts Question 1: Should the auditor be allowed to investigate the state legislature? Every four years, voters elect a state auditor, who ensures that state agencies follow existing laws and regulations, according to Tufts University’s Center for State Policy Analysis. Even if the question passes, the auditor still will not be able to oversee votes, debates, committee assignments or policy priorities, which are all seen as “core legislative functions.” Massachusetts Question 2: Eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement. Question 2 would eliminate the requirement that students need to pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards. Massachusetts Question 3: A union for rideshare drivers Question 3 asks whether Transportation Network Drivers should have the right to form unions. Massachusetts Question 4: Legalizing psychedelic drugs Question 4 would allow people 21 and over to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances. It would be two substances found in mushrooms and three substances found in plants. Massachusetts Question 5: Minimum wage increase for tipped workers Question 5 asks if employers should have to gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped work over the course of five years. What is the key race in Massachusetts? On Nov. 5, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) and attorney John Deaton (R) will compete for Warren’s current seat on the U.S. Senate. Warren did not face an opponent in the primary election. Deaton secured his spot against Warren and hopes to unseat her as this would be her third term. Deaton classifies himself as a “small government, fiscally-conservative, socially moderate Republican,” while Warren has fought for progressive change nationally. Connecticut Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 18 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 21 Early voting period begins Nov. 3 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last day to request an absentee ballot All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in Connecticut? You can register to vote through the Office of the Secretary of State’s website. The online registration and by-mail registration deadlines are Oct. 18, while the in-person registration deadline is Nov. 5. How can I vote by mail in Connecticut? Connecticut has strict laws regarding who can vote absentee. Some reasons you would be allowed to vote absentee: Being an active member of the armed forces Being out of town on Election Day Sickness that prevents you from voting in person Religious beliefs that prevent you from performing secular duties like voting on Election Day Performing duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own A physical disability that prevents you from voting in person There is also an emergency ballot within six days of an election. You can request a regular absentee ballot at the state’s online absentee ballot request portal, where an application can be downloaded for individual use, the use of an individual’s immediate family or the use of a designee of the applicant. An absentee ballot will be sent to you 31 days before a general election and may be returned by mail or in person. Only ballots received before the polls close on Election Day will be counted. How does early voting work in Connecticut? The early voting period in Connecticut is Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. The locations will be listed here as they become available. Each town or city will have at least one early voting location. Maine Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 15 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 31 Absentee ballot request form must be submitted Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Maine? You can register to vote in person, online and by mail. Online registration forms can be found on the Department of the Secretary of State website, which gives the option to register for the first time, update your voter information and change your party enrollment. The deadline to apply by mail and online is Oct. 15. You can register to vote in person through Election Day in Maine. How can I vote by mail in Maine? To vote by mail in Maine, you must request an absentee ballot which can be done online via this request form. Absentee ballots may be requested as early as three months before Election Day and must be submitted before Oct. 31. How does early voting work in Maine? In Maine, dates and times to vote early in person vary by where you live. Maine ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Maine voters to decide on.  Question 1: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Question 1 would limit contributions to political action committees that make independent expenditures  Question 2: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds? Question 2 would authorize a general fund bond issue for research, development and commercialization. Question 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Question 3 would authorize a general fund bond issue to restore historic community buildings Question 4: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Question 4 would authorize a general fund bond issue to promote the design, development, and maintenance of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. Question 5: Do you favor making the former state flag, which was replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and is commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State? Question 5 would restore the former state of Maine flag. Timeline of important election deadlines: Nov. 4 Absentee ballots must be requested by mail by 12 p.m. Absentee ballots returned in person are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Polls open as early as 6 a.m. and all locations close by 8 p.m. Hours will vary, but all polling locations are required to be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. By mail absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in New Hampshire? You may register to vote in New Hampshire in person, by mail under certain conditions, or on Election Day at your polling place. You can also register at your town hall before Nov. 5. Deadlines vary by town, generally six to 13 days before the election. You can find a full list of clerks and polling places on the New Hampshire Secretary of State website. How can I vote by mail in New Hampshire? You may request a mail-in ballot in New Hampshire through this application. The request must be received by Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day. In person, the deadline is Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. How does early voting work in New Hampshire? New Hampshire does not offer early in-person voting before Election Day. What is the proposed change to the New Hampshire constitution? Voters in New Hampshire will be asked to weigh in on raising the mandatory retirement age for judges: “Are you in favor of amending article 78 of the second part of the constitution to read as follows: [Art.] 78. [Judges and Sheriffs, when Disqualified by Age.] No person shall hold the office of sheriff of any county, after the person has attained the age of seventy years. No person shall hold the office of judge of any court after the person has attained the age of seventy-five years.” (Passed by the N.H. House 321 Yes 27 No; Passed by the Senate 22 Yes 1 No) CACR 6 What is the key race to look out for in New Hampshire? Voters in New Hampshire will elect a new governor on Nov. 5. The seat is open for the first time since 2016 as incumbent Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, did not seek reelection. The three candidates are former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R), Joyce Craig (D) and Stephen Villee (L). Ayotte previously served as New Hampshire’s first female attorney general and is backed by Sununu. She wants to follow in the previous governor’s footsteps. Craig has served as Manchester’s first female mayor. She said serving the state’s third-largest city for three terms has prepared her to be governor. Libertarian candidate Villee runs on a platform for smaller government and greater individual freedom, according to his website. Rhode Island Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 6 Online and in-person registration deadlines By mail registration must be postmarked to this date Oct. 15 Mail-in ballot application deadline by 4 p.m. Oct. 16 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Early voting ends Nov. 5 – Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Ballot must be returned by mail or in person by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Rhode Island? You can register to vote in Rhode Island online through the Secretary of State’s website, in person, or by mail. You need a driver’s license or state identification number, your name and date of birth to register. You can register online through the Secretary of State’s website.   How can I vote by mail in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot. You can apply for a mail-in ballot online. The requirements are to have a valid state ID and be registered to vote.   To return your ballot, you may deliver it by mail or by hand. It must be returned before 8 p.m. on Election Day. How does early voting work in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, you can vote early in person between Oct. 16 and Nov. 4. Schedules and locations vary by city or town. What are the key ballot questions in Rhode Island? There are five questions on the ballot for Rhode Island voters to decide on. Question 1: Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution? Question 2: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 2 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: URI Biomedical Sciences Building – $87.5 million Rhode Island College Cybersecurity Building – $73 million Question 3: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 3 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Affordable housing – $80 million Acquisition and revitalization – $10 million Homeownership – $20 million Site acquisition – $5 million Housing related infrastructure – $4 million Municipal planning – $1 million Question 4: Should $53 million be allocated for green economy bonds? Question 4 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset – $15 million Climate resiliency – $2 million Brownsfield remediation and economic development – $5 million Local recreation projects – $5 million Municipal resiliency – $10 million Newport Cliff Walk – $3 million Agricultural Land Preservation Commission – $5 million Open Space program – $3 million Forests and habitat management – $5 million Question 5: Should $10 million be allocated for cultural arts and the economy grant program? Question 5 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Tomaquag Museum – $2 million Newport Contemporary Ballet – $2 million Trinity Repertory Company – $2 million Other funds to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Counsel on the Arts – $4 million Vermont Timeline of important election deadlines: Sept. 21 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. or by the close of the town clerk’s office Absentee ballots must be returned by mail Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 5 to 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Registration deadline Absentee ballot must be returned by 7 p.m. How can I register to vote in Vermont? You can register to vote online, in person, or by mail in Vermont. If you are registering for the first time, you must include an acceptable form of photo identification.  How can I vote by mail in Vermont? Active Vermont voters do not need to request a mail-in ballot because the state mails general election ballots no later than Oct. 1. The ballot must be received by the town clerk or local election office before 7 p.m. on Election Day.  All requests for absentee ballots must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the day of the election. More election coverage Decision 2024 Oct 3 Where Trump and Harris stand on immigration and border security Donald Trump Oct 3 Trump and the federal election case against him: Key passages from prosecutors' latest court filing Melania Trump Oct 3 Melania Trump indicates support for abortion rights a month before election

Deadlines, rules and ballot questions differ in every state. Here’s what you need to know to plan your vote if you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont. Massachusetts election deadlines Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 11 Local early voting schedule becomes available Oct.19 Early voting period begins Oct. 26 Deadline to register to vote in person, by mail and online Oct. 29 Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot Nov. 1 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Election Day Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this day in order to be counted. How can I register to vote in Massachusetts? If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. And you are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to register to vote in Massachusetts If you’re not registered to vote, you can register by mail, online or in person at your local election office. Most applications ask you to confirm your citizenship, provide your full name, address and date of birth. Additionally, they ask for a driver’s license or social security number. You are asked to provide your party enrollment or designation. If you want to be eligible to vote on Election Day, you must register by Saturday, Oct. 26. You cannot register on Election Day in Massachusetts. How to vote by mail in Massachusetts If you are unable to vote in person in Massachusetts on Election Day or during the early voting period, you can vote by mail. You don’t need a reason or a witness to vote by mail, but you must return your ballot before the polls close on Election Day. The office of the Secretary of State William Francis Galvin suggests applying as early as possible, especially if your ballot needs to be mailed. The office recommends allowing up to seven days for delivery and applying two or three weeks before Election Day. There are several options to return a mail-in ballot.  You can mail it back using the envelope provided, hand deliver it to your local election office, drop it off at an early voting location during early voting hours or use a ballot drop box. How does early voting work in Massachusetts? You may also consider voting early in person. The early voting period offers voters the ability to vote before Election Day and usually in a less crowded location. Currently, 47 states, including Massachusetts, allow early in-person voting.  The early voting period in Massachusetts begins on Oct. 19 and ends on Nov. 1. There is no appointment or application required to vote early in person, you can just visit your local early voting location. Lines may be longer on the first and last days of early voting, so Galvin’s office recommends going on off hours. Each city and town in the state must offer at least one early voting location. The locations will be posted on the website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at least one week before the early voting period begins. Massachusetts ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Massachusetts voters to decide on. Massachusetts Question 1: Should the auditor be allowed to investigate the state legislature? Every four years, voters elect a state auditor, who ensures that state agencies follow existing laws and regulations, according to Tufts University’s Center for State Policy Analysis. Even if the question passes, the auditor still will not be able to oversee votes, debates, committee assignments or policy priorities, which are all seen as “core legislative functions.” Massachusetts Question 2: Eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement. Question 2 would eliminate the requirement that students need to pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards. Massachusetts Question 3: A union for rideshare drivers Question 3 asks whether Transportation Network Drivers should have the right to form unions. Massachusetts Question 4: Legalizing psychedelic drugs Question 4 would allow people 21 and over to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances. It would be two substances found in mushrooms and three substances found in plants. Massachusetts Question 5: Minimum wage increase for tipped workers Question 5 asks if employers should have to gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped work over the course of five years. What is the key race in Massachusetts? On Nov. 5, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) and attorney John Deaton (R) will compete for Warren’s current seat on the U.S. Senate. Warren did not face an opponent in the primary election. Deaton secured his spot against Warren and hopes to unseat her as this would be her third term. Deaton classifies himself as a “small government, fiscally-conservative, socially moderate Republican,” while Warren has fought for progressive change nationally. Connecticut Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 18 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 21 Early voting period begins Nov. 3 Early voting period ends Nov. 5 – Polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last day to request an absentee ballot All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in Connecticut? You can register to vote through the Office of the Secretary of State’s website. The online registration and by-mail registration deadlines are Oct. 18, while the in-person registration deadline is Nov. 5. How can I vote by mail in Connecticut? Connecticut has strict laws regarding who can vote absentee. Some reasons you would be allowed to vote absentee: Being an active member of the armed forces Being out of town on Election Day Sickness that prevents you from voting in person Religious beliefs that prevent you from performing secular duties like voting on Election Day Performing duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own A physical disability that prevents you from voting in person There is also an emergency ballot within six days of an election. You can request a regular absentee ballot at the state’s online absentee ballot request portal, where an application can be downloaded for individual use, the use of an individual’s immediate family or the use of a designee of the applicant. An absentee ballot will be sent to you 31 days before a general election and may be returned by mail or in person. Only ballots received before the polls close on Election Day will be counted. How does early voting work in Connecticut? The early voting period in Connecticut is Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. The locations will be listed here as they become available. Each town or city will have at least one early voting location. Maine Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 15 Online and by mail voter registration deadlines Oct. 31 Absentee ballot request form must be submitted Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. In-person registration deadline Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Maine? You can register to vote in person, online and by mail. Online registration forms can be found on the Department of the Secretary of State website, which gives the option to register for the first time, update your voter information and change your party enrollment. The deadline to apply by mail and online is Oct. 15. You can register to vote in person through Election Day in Maine. How can I vote by mail in Maine? To vote by mail in Maine, you must request an absentee ballot which can be done online via this request form. Absentee ballots may be requested as early as three months before Election Day and must be submitted before Oct. 31. How does early voting work in Maine? In Maine, dates and times to vote early in person vary by where you live. Maine ballot questions There are five questions on the ballot for Maine voters to decide on.  Question 1: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? Question 1 would limit contributions to political action committees that make independent expenditures  Question 2: Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds? Question 2 would authorize a general fund bond issue for research, development and commercialization. Question 3: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources? Question 3 would authorize a general fund bond issue to restore historic community buildings Question 4: Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions? Question 4 would authorize a general fund bond issue to promote the design, development, and maintenance of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. Question 5: Do you favor making the former state flag, which was replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and is commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State? Question 5 would restore the former state of Maine flag. Timeline of important election deadlines: Nov. 4 Absentee ballots must be requested by mail by 12 p.m. Absentee ballots returned in person are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 5 Polls open as early as 6 a.m. and all locations close by 8 p.m. Hours will vary, but all polling locations are required to be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. By mail absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. In-person registration deadline How can I register to vote in New Hampshire? You may register to vote in New Hampshire in person, by mail under certain conditions, or on Election Day at your polling place. You can also register at your town hall before Nov. 5. Deadlines vary by town, generally six to 13 days before the election. You can find a full list of clerks and polling places on the New Hampshire Secretary of State website. How can I vote by mail in New Hampshire? You may request a mail-in ballot in New Hampshire through this application. The request must be received by Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day. In person, the deadline is Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. How does early voting work in New Hampshire? New Hampshire does not offer early in-person voting before Election Day. What is the proposed change to the New Hampshire constitution? Voters in New Hampshire will be asked to weigh in on raising the mandatory retirement age for judges: “Are you in favor of amending article 78 of the second part of the constitution to read as follows: [Art.] 78. [Judges and Sheriffs, when Disqualified by Age.] No person shall hold the office of sheriff of any county, after the person has attained the age of seventy years. No person shall hold the office of judge of any court after the person has attained the age of seventy-five years.” (Passed by the N.H. House 321 Yes 27 No; Passed by the Senate 22 Yes 1 No) CACR 6 What is the key race to look out for in New Hampshire? Voters in New Hampshire will elect a new governor on Nov. 5. The seat is open for the first time since 2016 as incumbent Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, did not seek reelection. The three candidates are former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R), Joyce Craig (D) and Stephen Villee (L). Ayotte previously served as New Hampshire’s first female attorney general and is backed by Sununu. She wants to follow in the previous governor’s footsteps. Craig has served as Manchester’s first female mayor. She said serving the state’s third-largest city for three terms has prepared her to be governor. Libertarian candidate Villee runs on a platform for smaller government and greater individual freedom, according to his website. Rhode Island Timeline of important election deadlines: Oct. 6 Online and in-person registration deadlines By mail registration must be postmarked to this date Oct. 15 Mail-in ballot application deadline by 4 p.m. Oct. 16 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Early voting ends Nov. 5 – Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Ballot must be returned by mail or in person by 8 p.m. How can I register to vote in Rhode Island? You can register to vote in Rhode Island online through the Secretary of State’s website, in person, or by mail. You need a driver’s license or state identification number, your name and date of birth to register. You can register online through the Secretary of State’s website.   How can I vote by mail in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot. You can apply for a mail-in ballot online. The requirements are to have a valid state ID and be registered to vote.   To return your ballot, you may deliver it by mail or by hand. It must be returned before 8 p.m. on Election Day. How does early voting work in Rhode Island? In Rhode Island, you can vote early in person between Oct. 16 and Nov. 4. Schedules and locations vary by city or town. What are the key ballot questions in Rhode Island? There are five questions on the ballot for Rhode Island voters to decide on. Question 1: Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Rhode Island Constitution? Question 2: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 2 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: URI Biomedical Sciences Building – $87.5 million Rhode Island College Cybersecurity Building – $73 million Question 3: Should $120 million be allocated for housing and community opportunity? Question 3 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Affordable housing – $80 million Acquisition and revitalization – $10 million Homeownership – $20 million Site acquisition – $5 million Housing related infrastructure – $4 million Municipal planning – $1 million Question 4: Should $53 million be allocated for green economy bonds? Question 4 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset – $15 million Climate resiliency – $2 million Brownsfield remediation and economic development – $5 million Local recreation projects – $5 million Municipal resiliency – $10 million Newport Cliff Walk – $3 million Agricultural Land Preservation Commission – $5 million Open Space program – $3 million Forests and habitat management – $5 million Question 5: Should $10 million be allocated for cultural arts and the economy grant program? Question 5 would allow money to be allocated in the following ways: Tomaquag Museum – $2 million Newport Contemporary Ballet – $2 million Trinity Repertory Company – $2 million Other funds to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Counsel on the Arts – $4 million Vermont Timeline of important election deadlines: Sept. 21 Early voting begins Nov. 4 Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. or by the close of the town clerk’s office Absentee ballots must be returned by mail Nov. 5 – Polls open anytime from 5 to 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Registration deadline Absentee ballot must be returned by 7 p.m. How can I register to vote in Vermont? You can register to vote online, in person, or by mail in Vermont. If you are registering for the first time, you must include an acceptable form of photo identification.  How can I vote by mail in Vermont? Active Vermont voters do not need to request a mail-in ballot because the state mails general election ballots no later than Oct. 1. 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