I urge my fellow citizens: Vote and vote early. Your vote is your voice. Your vote tells your story. Your story is your life and it matters. Every law, ballot measure, and executive order affects you and your loved ones. It is your sacred right and duty to cast your thoughtful vote in every election. Your vote matters now more than ever, because the very opportunity to vote is threatened by political whims and unchecked partisan gerrymandering.
Some facts to consider: In the September primary, of the approximately 2,500 registered voters in Sunderland, 776 submitted ballots. For the Franklin Tech new school vote on Oct. 6 approximately 8-11% of voters in the 19 towns cast ballots.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, there will be standout rallies in your local communities focused on encouraging people to vote. In Sunderland, there will be a gathering starting at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Rt. 116 and 47; Sunderland residents will walk to the town offices to either register to vote or cast their early ballots. For those who have mail-in ballots, they can be put in the ballot box behind the town hall building.
Residents of Massachusetts can register to vote until Oct. 24. This can be done by phone or by going to https://www.sec.state.ma.us. Early voting for 2026 takes place from Oct. 17-30. You can either register to vote or vote early by going to your town offices during operational hours. You can apply for a mail-in ballot online and then submit it directly at your town’s office ballot box.
In the 2024 election, more people did not vote at all than voted for either candidate. Too many voices have fallen silent.
Make your plans to vote now. You can check your voter status at the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us./VoterRegistrationSearch/. You can read about Massachusetts ballot measures at https://now.tufts.edu.
Stand up in your life and vote. Don’t surrender your voice. Our future depends upon it.
Diane Gumaer
Sunderland