Chicopee, Massachusetts Public Records

Since Hampden County lacks a centralized county elections office, each municipality administers its own elections under state oversight by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division (One Ashburton Place, Room 1705, Boston, MA 02108, phone: 617-727-2828, website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele). Voter registration is available online at www.registertovotema.com up until 10 days before any election. The process requires a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, date of birth, and residential address. Massachusetts offers same-day voter registration for presidential and state primary elections only. Residents can also register in person at the City Clerk's Office, at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or by mailing a completed form. The state does not require voter ID to cast a ballot. Municipal elections occur in odd-numbered years, with the next city elections scheduled for November 2025. The city operates under a mayor-council form of government with a full-time elected Mayor serving four-year terms and a 13-member City Council serving two-year terms: nine Ward Councilors representing geographic wards and four At-Large Councilors. The School Committee is also elected. Local candidates must file nomination papers with certified voter signatures at the City Clerk's Office by the summer deadline preceding November elections. Municipal preliminary elections, when more than two candidates compete for the same office, typically take place in September. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Massachusetts Secretary of State's polling place locator at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema or by contacting the City Clerk's Office directly. The city operates approximately 10-12 polling locations across its wards, generally in schools, community centers, and public buildings. Massachusetts public election records cover voter registration lists (available for purchase by candidates and political committees under strict usage rules), campaign finance reports filed with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance (searchable at www.ocpf.us), candidate nomination papers and filings maintained by city and state election officials, and precinct-level election results published by the Secretary of State at www.electionstats.state.ma.us. Voter registration information including an individual's voting history, elections participated in, not vote choices, is public, though residential addresses are restricted for certain protected voters. During the November 2024 presidential election, Hampden County reported approximately 56-58% voter turnout. Local turnout in the city generally tracked county averages at around 54-57%. Massachusetts overall saw turnout of approximately 70-72% of registered voters. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for local voters. Massachusetts will elect a Governor and Lieutenant Governor for four-year terms, as Governor Maura Healey will be up for re-election. The statewide constitutional offices of Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Treasurer, and Auditor will also appear on the ballot, all for four-year terms. All 160 seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and all 40 Massachusetts Senate seats will be contested with two-year terms. Residents will elect their state Senator representing the Second Hampden and Hampshire District and state Representative for the 8th and 12th Hampden Districts, depending on ward. All nine U.S. House seats from Massachusetts are also up for two-year terms, with local residents voting in the 1st Congressional District. The U.S. Senate race will NOT be on the 2026 ballot in Massachusetts, as both senators' terms extend beyond 2026. At the Hampden County level, Hampden County has been abolished as a governmental entity since 1999, so no county offices are elected. Voters should check closer to the election for any state ballot questions or local referenda. Massachusetts offers early voting for all state biennial elections, general elections, and state primaries. Early voting periods typically run for two weeks before Election Day, including at least one weekend. The city designates City Hall and other locations for early voting with extended hours. Voters can request absentee/mail-in ballots for any reason through the state's online portal at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele or by submitting an application to the City Clerk. Applications must be received by the Wednesday before the election for mail delivery, or 12:00 noon the day before the election for in-person pickup. Voted ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail - postmark does not count - or hand-delivered to the City Clerk's Office or official drop box.