Worcester voters were overwhelmingly rejecting a proposal to end recreational marijuana sales and supporting the state’s firearms regulations Tuesday night, while Democratic incumbent Paul DePalo held a commanding lead in the city’s vote for the 7th District Governor’s Council seat.
The results came as Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey won reelection, according to Associated Press race calls.
With 14 of Worcester’s 62 reporting units counted, DePalo had received 15,669 votes, or 78.23%, compared with 4,303 votes, or 21.48%, for Republican challenger Margaret Abboud. The figures represent Worcester votes only, not the full Governor’s Council district.
The city’s preliminary results also showed substantial support for several ballot questions, including government transparency, conservation funding and Election Day voter registration.
Worcester voters weigh in on nine ballot questions
Among the most decisive results in the city was Question 8, which proposed ending legal retail sales of recreational marijuana while preserving the medical marijuana program.
With 14 of 62 reporting units counted, 14,781 Worcester voters, or 74.65%, had voted no, compared with 5,020, or 25.35%, voting yes.
Question 9, which asked voters whether to retain a 2024 Massachusetts firearms law, was receiving strong support. The yes vote totaled 15,380, or 75%, compared with 5,128 votes, or 25%, against retaining the law.
Question 1, which would expand public records requirements to include most records held by the Legislature and governor’s office, had the widest margin among the nine questions. It received 16,663 yes votes, or 83.44%, compared with 3,308 no votes, or 16.56%.
Worcester voters also favored Question 2, which would allow employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services to collectively bargain. The measure had 14,130 yes votes, or 71.83%, and 5,542 no votes, or 28.17%.
Question 3, which proposed replacing separate political party primaries with a single all-party primary, was trailing in Worcester. The no vote led with 10,909 votes, or 54.85%, compared with 8,981 yes votes, or 45.15%.
Question 4, allowing eligible voters to register or update their addresses at polling places on Election Day beginning in 2028, was receiving 64% support, with 12,783 yes votes and 7,190 no votes.
Question 5, which would change the state’s revenue collection limit and rebate formula, was narrowly trailing. The no vote led with 10,323 votes, or 51.16%, compared with 9,854 yes votes, or 48.84%.
Question 6, establishing a conservation fund supported by certain tax revenues, was receiving 66% support, with 13,309 yes votes and 6,855 no votes.
Question 7, which would allow single-family homes on certain residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet, had received 11,723 yes votes, or 59.77%, compared with 7,890 no votes, or 40.23%.
All nine results reflect partial Worcester returns and do not establish whether the measures passed or failed statewide.
DePalo leads Abboud in Governor’s Council race
DePalo, a Worcester Democrat seeking another term on the Governor’s Council, was leading Republican Margaret Abboud by more than 11,000 votes in the city.
The Governor’s Council reviews judicial nominations and certain other appointments, as well as pardons and commutations.
During interviews with the Worcester Guardian before the election, DePalo emphasized judicial temperament, rehabilitation and his experience reviewing nominees. Abboud focused on public safety, adherence to the law and the need for greater political balance on the council.
The 7th District extends beyond Worcester, and the city’s partial results alone do not determine the winner.
Healey, Markey win reelection
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey won a second term Tuesday, defeating Republican Michael Minogue, according to the Associated Press.
Healey, who was first elected governor in 2022, ran alongside Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Independent candidate Andrea James also appeared on the ballot.
In Worcester’s partial returns, Healey and Driscoll had received 15,158 votes, or 72.18%, compared with 4,926 votes, or 23.46%, for Minogue and Shawn Oliver. James and running mate Kayla Kittredge received 887 votes, or 4.22%.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Markey also won reelection, defeating Republican John Deaton.
In Worcester, Markey led with 15,191 votes, or 72.60%, compared with 4,547 votes, or 21.73%, for Deaton. Joe Tache received 699 votes, or 3.34%, and independent Shiva Ayyadurai received 459 votes, or 2.19%.
Other Worcester-area races
In the Worcester and Hampshire state Senate district, Democratic challenger Shannon Teabo led Republican incumbent Peter Durant in the Worcester portion of the district, with 1,558 votes, or 67.33%, to Durant’s 747 votes, or 32.28%.
That race remained incomplete in the city’s report, with one of six Worcester reporting units counted. Results from the rest of the district are also needed to determine the outcome.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. James McGovern, who faced no ballot-listed opponent, had received 17,455 votes in Worcester’s partial returns.
Other uncontested Worcester-area legislative races included Democratic state Sens. Robyn Kennedy and Michael Moore, and state Reps. John Mahoney, James O’Day, Mary Keefe, Daniel Donahue and David LeBoeuf.
In other statewide contests, Worcester’s partial results showed Democratic Attorney General Andrea Campbell leading Republican Michael Walsh with 76.19% of votes cast for the office.
Democratic Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin led Republican Anne Brensley with 80.97%, while Democratic Treasurer Deborah Goldberg led Republican Elizabeth Dionne with 77.27%.
Democratic Auditor Diana DiZoglio led Libertarian Al Ozonoff with 87.42% of the Worcester vote.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., a Democrat, and Register of Probate Stephanie Fattman, a Republican, were running without ballot-listed opponents.
Results remain unofficial
The figures were taken from the Worcester Election Commission’s election-night results stream, which showed 14 of 62 reporting units counted at the time of the update.
The city’s partial report included totals for ballots cast, but those figures should not be interpreted as final turnout because reporting was incomplete.
Election-night results are unofficial until certified.
The Worcester Guardian will continue updating this report as additional results become available.
