Wayland voters went along with the state in most of the contested races during the midterm elections on Nov. 3. The town also mirrored Massachusetts voters in the nine binding ballot questions except possible Question 5 (modifying the state tax revenue limit), though both Questions 5 and 7 were still undecided at press time.
The polls weren’t as busy as they were two years ago, with 62% of registeed voters casting ballots this year vs. 82.2%. in 2024.
Many of the people who came out to cast their ballots at the Town Building did so out of civic duty and didn’t see a lot of races that would change the face of politics in Wayland or nationally. But that didn’t stop them from coming out.
“I wanted to vote against the current administration,” said Lisa Puckett. “I wanted to strengthen [the Democratic Party] and continue to give support to our governor, who’s stood up against [President Trump] numerous times in his lawsuits and stuff.”
“I have never not voted since I was 18,” said Judy Currier. “I always say that if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”
Francis Tan knows that in Wayland (and in Massachusetts, for that matter), the vote normally goes a certain way. But he still felt he had to cast his ballot. “I think all of the ballot initiatives, and the contested and uncontested elections, are important,” he said. “I’m just exercising my right to vote.”
Todd Seresky, who was there with his wife, Melissa, and their baby, hopes that the decisions the couple made will make a difference for their child.
“I know we’re not gonna make an impression on her today… but we want to preserve democracy and show her that, even though she’s not gonna understand it now, it’s just important to go and vote,” he said. “And hopefully she will reap the benefits from it.”
One voter, who did not want to give his name because he is a “Republican, though not a Trumpster,” agreed with the others interviewed. But he came out to vote anyway.
“I just think everybody in Massachusetts votes one way, so it was my chance to vote a different way,” he said. “Massachusetts is just one of those states where it doesn’t matter which way you vote, [you’re] always gonna get the same results.”
The ballot questions were one area voters did not consider a foregone conclusion. With nine questions (plus a nonbinding 10th for Wayland precincts 1 and 4), everyone had at least one that was most important to them.
Puckett, who considers herself “a conservationist,” was hoping Question 6 on the National Resource Conservation Fund would go the way she voted.
“I think national parks are one of the best things about our country and we need to preserve them,” she said. “Even right here in MetroWest, there’s not enough access to water in the summer. Thankfully Wayland does a good job of it, and it’s not easy.”
Daniel Dresner, who was there with his young daughter, Violet, identified Question 7, which would allow single-family homes on qualifying lots of at least 5,000 square feet with access to public water and sewer, as the question that mattered most to Wayland.
Melissa Seresky was particularly interested in Question 9 on firearms regulations. “I believe we need as much gun control in this country as possible, for our children,” she said.
