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Your cheatsheet to the 2024 Mass. political calendar
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's politics newsletter, Mass Politics. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Welcome to the first edition of Mass. Politics! What’s this newsletter all about?
We know election years get noisy. There are countless polls, attack ads, counter-attacks. We want to cut through the horse-race coverage and keep you in the know on political happenings that could impact your life.
There’s a lot at stake nationally and here in Massachusetts. Voters will likely weigh in on matters from legalizing certain psychedelics to raising the minimum wage for restaurant workers who rely on tips. There are two ballot campaigns that could reshape the local ride-hailing industry, plus another to ditch standardized tests as a requirement to graduate from high school. And before the fall elections, we’re entering a busy political season when state lawmakers take action (or not) on some of the most significant bills of the year.
Let’s start by getting a lay of the land — a road map for the next few months:
June 30: Massachusetts state budget deadline
- Where do lawmakers plan to spend your tax dollars? They’re supposed to finish battling it out by the end of the fiscal year. But they’ve missed this deadline for 13 years in a row.
July 3: Final signature deadline for ballot campaigns
- This is the last hurdle to get on the ballot. The official list of questions gets announced later in July.
July 15-18: Republican National Convention — Milwaukee
July 31: End of formal sessions for the Massachusetts Legislature
- This is usually a very late night. It’s the last day of the year for lawmakers to pass any big, controversial bills.
Aug. 19-22: Democratic National Convention — Chicago
Sept. 3: Massachusetts state primary
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren is the only statewide incumbent on the ballot; two crypto-friendly Republican challengers are facing off to oppose her in the general election. None of the state’s federal congressional members are facing major primary challenges.
- In-person early voting: Aug. 24 to Aug. 30
- Last day to register to vote before the primary: Aug. 24
Nov. 5: General election
- Biden v. Trump 2.0. Meanwhile, Bay Staters will have up to six ballot questions, depending which ones gather enough signatures, get certified, and survive court challenges.
- In-person early voting: Oct. 19 to Nov. 1.
- Last day to register to vote before the general election: Oct. 26
Check your inbox on Mondays at noon, starting June 3, for the latest from our politics team. You’ll hear from me, along with senior correspondent Anthony Brooks and reporter Simón Rios. We’re happy to have you along for the ride.
