Massachusetts state executive official elections, 2020

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Massachusetts state executive official elections
Election details
Filing deadline: May 5, 2020 & June 2, 2020
Primary: September 1, 2020 General: November 3, 2020
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Massachusetts
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2020 Impact of term limits in 2020 State government trifectas and triplexes
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Eight state executive offices were up for election in Massachusetts in 2020:

Governor's Council (8 seats)

Candidates and election results

Governor's Council

General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 1

Incumbent Joseph Ferreira won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joseph Ferreira (D)	98.4	332,445
		Other/Write-in votes	1.6	5,251

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 337,696
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 1

Incumbent Joseph Ferreira advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 1 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joseph Ferreira	99.5	118,574
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	651

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 119,225
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 2

Incumbent Robert Jubinville won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Jubinville (D)	98.6	341,890
		Other/Write-in votes	1.4	4,896

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 346,786
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 2

Incumbent Robert Jubinville advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 2 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Jubinville	99.5	143,529
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	764

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 144,293
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 3

Incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marilyn Petitto Devaney (D)	98.5	346,900
		Other/Write-in votes	1.5	5,378

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 352,278
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 3

Incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 3 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marilyn Petitto Devaney	99.1	165,045
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	1,528

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 166,573
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 4

Incumbent Christopher Iannella won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christopher Iannella (D)	98.6	330,732
		Other/Write-in votes	1.4	4,774

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 335,506
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 4

Incumbent Christopher Iannella advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 4 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christopher Iannella	99.1	137,997
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	1,184

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 139,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 5

Incumbent Eileen Duff won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Eileen Duff (D)	98.1	336,188
		Other/Write-in votes	1.9	6,452

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 342,640
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 5

Incumbent Eileen Duff advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 5 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Eileen Duff	99.4	131,389
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	785

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 132,174
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Nicholas Torresi (D)

General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 6

Incumbent Terrence Kennedy won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 6 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Terrence Kennedy (D)	98.2	324,908
		Other/Write-in votes	1.8	5,918

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 330,826
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 6

Incumbent Terrence Kennedy defeated Helina Fontes in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 6 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Terrence Kennedy	54.5	92,987
		Helina Fontes	45.3	77,232
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	401

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 170,620
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7

Paul DePalo defeated Peter Stefan in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul DePalo (D)	97.4	312,156
	Submit photo	Peter Stefan (Independent) (Write-in)	0.3	951
		Other/Write-in votes	2.3	7,252

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 320,359
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7

Paul DePalo defeated Padraic Rafferty in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 7 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul DePalo	62.3	73,556
		Padraic Rafferty	37.4	44,208
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	287

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 118,051
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 8

Incumbent Mary Hurley won election in the general election for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Mary Hurley (D)	98.3	301,548
		Other/Write-in votes	1.7	5,092

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 306,640
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 8

Incumbent Mary Hurley advanced from the Democratic primary for Massachusetts Governor's Council District 8 on September 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Mary Hurley	99.4	140,259
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	884

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 141,143
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Context of the 2020 elections

Party control in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Party Control: 1992-2024
Ten years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D
Senate	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Massachusetts utilizes a semi-closed primary system. An unaffiliated voter is allowed to vote in the primary election of his or her choice.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Massachusetts, most polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, municipalities may open their polls as early as 5:45 a.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Massachusetts, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.

The deadline for registration is 10 days prior to the election. A voter can register online, by mail, or in person at any registration office or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A form of identification is required to register. The following are acceptable forms of identification:

• Valid driver's license
• State-issued identification card
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paystub
• Government-issued check
• Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address

Automatic registration

Massachusetts automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, division of medical assistance, health insurance connector authority, and other agencies that collect what state law defines as reliable citizenship information.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Massachusetts has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Massachusetts does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Massachusetts does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, the penalty for an illegal registration is a "fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years or both."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Massachusetts does not require voters to present identification (ID) while voting, in most cases.

However, voters will be asked to show ID in the following circumstances:

“

You are voting for the first time in Massachusetts in a federal election; You are an inactive voter; You are casting a provisional or challenged ballot; The poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request identification.

”

The following list of accepted ID was current as of August 2024:

• A driver's license
• A state ID card
• A recent utility bill
• A rent receipt or lease.
• A copy of a voter registration affidavit
• A letter from a school dormitory or housing office
• Any other printed identification which contains your name and address

Click here for the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. Examples of acceptable identification include: a driver's license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification which contains the voter's name and address.

”

Early voting

Massachusetts permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

Any eligible voter has the option to vote by absentee/mail-in ballot in all elections.

Past elections

2018

The following elections took place in 2018:

• Massachusetts Attorney General election, 2018
• Massachusetts Secretary of State election, 2018
• Massachusetts Treasurer election, 2018
• Massachusetts Auditor election, 2018
• Massachusetts gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
• Massachusetts state executive official elections, 2018
• Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 4 Republican primary)
• Massachusetts lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 4 Republican primary)
• Massachusetts Attorney General election, 2018 (September 4 Republican primary)
• Massachusetts Secretary of State election, 2018 (September 4 Republican primary)
• Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 4 Democratic primary)
• Massachusetts lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (September 4 Democratic primary)
• Massachusetts Attorney General election, 2018 (September 4 Democratic primary)
• Massachusetts Secretary of State election, 2018 (September 4 Democratic primary)
• Massachusetts Governor's Council election, 2018

External links

Suggest a link

• State of Massachusetts official website

Footnotes

State executive offices

Offices

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Elections

2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Features

Chart of state executive officers • Compensation • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • How vacancies are filled in state executive offices • State executive officials serving in home states • State government trifectas • State of the state addresses • Term limits

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