Early voting begins Oct. 22

Early voting for the 2022 midterm elections begins this week in Dartmouth.

Voters can begin casting their ballots on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Town Hall, Room 203 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early voting continuing through Friday, Nov. 4.

During weekdays, early ballots can be cast from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voting will be unavailable on Sundays.

The ballot will feature a number of races, including the sheriff’s contest between longtime Republican incumbent Thomas Hodgson and Democratic challenger Paul Heroux, who currently serves as mayor of Attleboro.

Incumbent State Rep. Chris Markey (D-Dartmouth) is running unopposed in the general election to represent the Ninth Bristol District in the Massachusetts State House. State Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) is also running unopposed to represent the Second Bristol & Plymouth District in the State Senate.

Incumbent Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III also has no opponent in the upcoming general election.

In statewide races:

Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey and running mate Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll are running against former Republican State Rep. Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen to be the next governor and lieutenant governor respectively.

On the ballot for Massachusetts Attorney General is Democrat Andrea Joy Campbell, who will face off against James R. McMahon III.

Longtime incumbent William Francis Galvin will look to secure an eighth term as Secretary of the Commonwealth. His challengers are Republican Rayla Campbell and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Juan Sanchez.

For auditor, Democrat Diana DiZoglio faces off against Republican Anthony Amore.

Democrat Deborah B. Goldberg is on the ballot for treasurer. Her opponent is Libertarian Cristina Crawford.

U.S. Representative Bill Keating, a Democrat, also looks to retain his seat in Congress. His opponent is Republican Jesse Brown, a businessman from Plymouth.

There will also be four questions appearing on the ballot.

The first measure, if approved, would allow the state to implement an extra 4% tax on any Massachusetts resident's personal income over $1 million.

The second ballot initiative, if approved, would create new regulations for dental insurance in the commonwealth. It would require insurers to spend at least 83% of premiums on patient care or quality improvements, rather than administrative expenses.

The third measure would overhaul how the state licenses alcohol. Voting “yes” would increase the number of licenses a retailer could have for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed off premises, limit the number of “all-alcoholic beverages” licenses that a retailer could acquire, restrict the use of self-checkout, and require retailers to accept customers’ out-of-state IDs.

The fourth and final question asks voters if the state should keep or repeal a law recently passed by the legislature allowing undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses beginning next year.

Proponents of the law say it would help undocumented people who are already here participate in daily life. Opponents argue that it rewards migrants who have entered the country and commonwealth illegally.

In addition to the early vote schedule, Dartmouth residents can request a mail-in ballot by Nov. 1. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 8, the day of the general election.

Polls will also be open the day of the midterms, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For a full list of candidates, visit the secretary of state’s website. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 29.