WESTFIELD and SOUTHWICK – The 2nd Hampden and Hampshire State Senate election is May 19 and has been a long time coming.
State Rep John C. Velis, D-Westfield, and John Cain, R-Southwick, an Agawam business owner, are both seeking election.
The seat became vacant when former Sen. Donald F. Humason Jr. was elected Westfield’s mayor in November 2019. The race to fill his seat and timing for a special election hinged on Humason’s official resignation, which came in December, coordination with the state election office and concerns from the Republican party about having the special election at the same time as the presidential primary.
A date of March 31 was set, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about in-person voting, the date was pushed to May 19 and officials encouraged anyone with concerns about voting on site to take advantage of early voting.
In Westfield, all voters will vote at Westfield Middle School only. There will be no polls in other precincts. Southwick residents will vote at Southwick Town Hall. Polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District encompasses all of Westfield and Southwick, Agawam, Easthampton, Granville, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Tolland and several ward precincts in Chicopee.
