THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 27, 2024 Page 7 Important dates for November 5 Presidential Election October 26 is deadline to register to vote in November 5 Election By Steve Freker T he marquee race for this year’s fi nal election – set for Tuesday, November 5 – is the Presidential Election between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris. Federal elected seats for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as well as State Elections will also be held. October 26, 10 days before the Final Election, is the deadline to register to vote in the election. Here are some important dates to remember: October 11: Local Early Voting Schedules Available No later than October 11, early voting schedules and locations for each city and town will be posted at www.VoteInMA. com. Check your community’s information to fi nd out where and when you can vote early. October 19 – November 1: Early Voting Period Early voting for the November 5, 2024, State Election begins on October 19 and ends on November 1. The early voting period includes two weekends, and each community will off er some weekend voting hours. Schedules for early voting vary by city and town. Be sure to check your community’s schedule when making your plan to vote. October 26: Voter Registration Deadline The last day to register to vote, update your address, change your name or change your party for the November 5, 2024, election is 10 days before Election Day. In-person voter registration sessions will be held in every city and town until 5 p.m. on October 26. Online voter registration will be open until 11:59 p.m. on October 26. Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked by October 26. October 29: Vote by Mail Application Deadline Your Vote by Mail application must reach your local election offi ce by 5 p.m. on October 29 in order for a ballot to be mailed to you. A postmark is not sufficient to meet the deadline. If you’re mailing your application, be sure to submit it at least a week before the deadline. It is recommended that you apply for your ballot earlier than the October 29 deadline if your ballot is being mailed out of town or if you plan to return your ballot by mail. November 5: Election Day Election Day is November 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. around Massachusetts. If you’re voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by November 5 in order to be counted. Since ballots can take up to seven days to be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, it is recommended you mail your ballot at least one week before Election Day. Ballots delivered by hand to a local election offi ce or drop box must be delivered by close of polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day. November 8: Last Day for Domestic Ballots to Arrive If you mail your ballot from inside the United States, it must arrive at your local election offi ce by 5 p.m. on November 8 in order to be counted. ELECTION | FROM PAGE 1 said they supported Question 1, which would allow Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit some functions and processes of the Legislature. Just 8% of those polled opposed the measure, with 22% saying they didn’t know how they would vote, or did not answer Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement Question 2 would end the use of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) as a requisite for a high school diploma. About 51% said they would vote to end the requirement, while 34% said they would vote to keep things as they are. The MCAS dates back to the Education Reform Bill of 1993 and was conceived as a way to measure school performance in educating students. Using the test to gauge students’ readiness for graduation came 10 years later, in 2003. If the question passes and the graduation requirement is scrapped, kids would still have to pass necessary coursework in English, math and science – the subjects covered in the MCAS exams. Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic SubGerry Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/ Advocate.news.ma Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 stances Voters seem split on Question 4, which asks whether the state should legalize some therapeutic uses of psychedelics and decriminalize possession and the growing of small amounts for home use; 42% said yes, while 44% said no, putting the question well within the poll’s margin of error. If passed, Question 4 would allow the supervised cultivation and use of plant-based psychedelics (mushrooms and mescaline) by people 21 or older. It also establishes a commission to determine who gets to supervise these uses. Massachusetts has been a leader in researching medical uses of psychedelics to treat depression and addiction. But opponents worry about the potential for a black market to form, especially since federal law still bans psychedelics. Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers Some 43% of poll respondents said they’d vote yes on Question 5, which would raise the tipped workers minimum wage from $6.75 to match the general minimum wage of $15. About 40% of respondents said they’d vote no, and another 16% said they weren’t sure. If passed, Question 5 would increase the tipped minimum wage in stages through 2029. 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