Massachusetts Elections: 6 To Watch

Residents from 73 communities across Massachusetts will be shuffling their way to the ballot box Tuesday, Nov. 7, to take part in Election Day. There's a lot at stake: At least two new mayors will be elected as heated battles come to a head. Voters will cast ballots for city council and school committee members. Local policy issues on hot-button topics will be decided.

Voters in Haverhill and the 1st Berkshire district will also be electing new state representatives, and there are primaries in the race to fill Cannabis Control Commissioner Jennifer Flanagan's former state Senate seat in north central Massachusetts.

"These are really important elections at every level," Secretary of State William Galvin said. "Certainly at the local level, these are where the decisions that affect people where they live are made, whether it's zoning issues, public education, transportation. These are all very significant races so we hope that people will remember that and take the time to participate in these elections, because actually these are the things that will affect them the most."

Below are five towns to keep an eye on Tuesday. For a complete list of cities and towns holding elections, click here. And make sure to subscribe to your local Patch for all the latest, including voting results as they come in.

Salem

Voters will decide whether or not the city should have sanctuary city status. The vote could serve as a bellwether for other Massachusetts towns. In Salem, the issue is a divisive one, with the two candidates for mayor - as well as many of the city's residents - split on the measure. Proponents say the measure reaffirms existing rules in Salem and will allow people to request city services without being asked to show proof of legal immigration status. Opponents say the city could risk losing up to $11 million in federal aid given Trump administration edicts to withhold funding from so-called sanctuary cities.

Framingham

The town of Framingham in April voted, by a narrow margin, to change its 317-year-old style of government. New England's largest town will adopt a city form of government on Jan. 1, 2018, and Tuesday is expected to see a massive turnout of voters to choose their first mayor and city council. John Stefanini and Yvonne Spicer are battling it out in a mayoral race that has at times become heated.

Boston

While Framingham could see more than half of their registered voters show up, Boston may see close to a record low turnout. According to Secretary of State William Galvin, less than a quarter of Boston's registered voters are expected to cast a ballot in a mayoral race that pits popular incumbent Mayor Marty Walsh take on energetic City Councilor Tito Jackson. The race has been lamented as one lacking energy and media coverage, but the city council races are expected to be competitive.

Newton

Mayoral candidates Ruthanne Fuller, the Chestnut Hill mother of two grown boys, takes on Scott Lennon, the Newton Lifer with a daughter just starting out in Newton Public Schools. Until recently this race was considered rather tame by most elections standards. Then there was the ad incident. You can read more about that here.

Lawrence

The question was once asked: 'Is William Lantigua the most corrupt mayor in America?' Well, four years after losing to now-Mayor Dan Rivera by less than 100 votes, Lantigua is back to reclaim his office.

Attleboro

Democratic Rep. Paul Heroux, who received the most votes in the preliminary election, is tasked with unseating Republican Mayor Kevin Dumas. Heroux has served in the house since 2012 and, if he is elected and relinquishes his seat, the House would need to have a third special election this session.

Reporting from State House News Service was used in this report