Milford 2022 Voting Guide: Candidates, How To Vote

MILFORD, MA — Election Day 2022 is here, and no one would blame you if you feel like it's arrived without much fanfare.

The 2022 statewide elections in Massachusetts haven't been hotly contested, especially in the race to replace Gov. Charlie Baker. On Monday, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (who is up for election against Republican Rayla Campbell) issued his pre-election forecast of about 2.2 million votes, down about 500,000 from the 2018 statewide election.

Galvin said there's "not a lot of enthusiasm" about the main 2022 contests.

But that doesn't mean there aren't important local races on the ballot.

Before you head to the polls on Nov. 8 (or to a ballot drop box), here's a cheat sheet on all the local items you'll be voting on, plus tips on how to vote.

Where, When To Vote

Polls in Massachusetts will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8. Find out where to vote here, and find out if you're registered to vote here.

If you're voting by mail, you can drop off your ballot at the clerk's office and in any ballot drop box — but not at polling locations. You can also mail your ballot on Election Day, but it won't be counted if it arrives after Nov. 11. Your best bet is the drop box or handing it off in-person.

The deadline to register to vote passed on Oct. 22, and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot passed on Oct. 25.

Local Issues

If you're looking for statewide issues, including candidates and ballot questions, Patch has put together a guide here. Here are the local races to watch for in Milford in 2022:

Norfolk, Worcester, Middlesex state Senate

Democratic State Sen. Rebecca Rausch is facing a tough reelection bid in 2022 after her seat was changed following the 2020 Census to include Milford. Republican Wrentham state Rep. Shawn Dooley is making a run at the seat, which now includes a big piece of territory previously held by state Sen. Ryan Fattman, seen as one of the most conservative members of the state Senate. Rausch, meanwhile, is often one of the Senate's leading progressives, but did not earn an endorsement this election cycle from gubernatorial front-runner Maura Healey.

2nd District Governor's Council

Milton Democrat Robert Jubinville will try to keep the seat under a challenger from Franklin Republican Dashe Videira. The Governor's Council advises the governor on "appointments, warrants for the state treasury and pardons and commutations."

Worcester County Sheriff

One of the few local elected Republicans, Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is seeking to continue his decade-long reign over the county prison, plus civil processing (lawsuits, evictions) and the community corrections program. David Fontaine, a Paxton Democrat, is the first person to challenge Evangelidis since 2010.

Blackstone Valley Regional School Committee

There are 13 seats on the Blackstone school committee up for election this year, one for each town the school serves. But only the race for the Millbury seat is contested between incumbent Chester Hanratty Jr. and challenger and Millbury police officer Frank Piscitelli III. Milford representative Paul Braza is not facing a challenger.

Milford Patch will bring you election results as soon as they come in. Sign up for our email newsletter here.