Somerville Candidates & Ballot Initiatives

The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Somerville City Elections Department has information for how and where to vote. Register to Vote. Voters can vote by mail in the elections this year. You can download a Vote By Mail application from the Somerville City Elections Department, which also has instructions for where to return it.

The Somerville Democrats have endorsed and are working hard to support two ballot initiatives: Question 1 - Fair Share Amendment and Question 4 - Campaign for Safer Roads.

Yes on 1 - Fair Share for MA

Question 1 would create a 4% tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and require – in the state constitution – that the funds be spent only on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will pay more; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, colleges, roads, bridges, and public transportation.

Yes on 4 - Campaign for Safer Roads

First introduced in the State House in early 2019, The Work and Family Mobility Act brought together over 270 law enforcement, public health, and community leaders to collaborate on a bill that would increase safe mobility for immigrants without status, while also improving road safety for everyone in Massachusetts. Overwhelmingly approved into law in June, this common-sense measure allows all qualified state residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard Massachusetts state driver’s license beginning July 1, 2023. The bill also puts in place stringent proof of identity requirements for immigrants without status applying for licenses, and keeps in place all safeguards against non-citizen voting.

Nevertheless, by resorting often to false and duplicitous claims, opponents gathered enough signatures this summer to put Question 4 on the ballot. The question threatens to revoke a law that allows immigrants without status to drive to work or take their children to the doctor with a valid driver’s license in their pocket and proper insurance coverage on their car, making the roads safer for everyone in Massachusetts. On November 8, let’s continue moving toward safer roads by keeping the Work and Family Mobility Act in place with a YES Vote on Question 4.