General Election Information and Deadlines

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, for the office of President and Vice President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor's Councillor, State Senator, State Representative, Register of Deeds and Clerk of Courts. 

In addition, there are five questions that will appear on the ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early/absentee ballots are not expected to be available until the week of Oct. 7, 2024. The Registrar of Voters Office will mail out any requested ballots once they are received.

Saturday, Oct. 26, is the deadline to register to vote or to make changes to voter registration. To be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election.

Early voting will begin on Saturday, Oct. 19 and continue through Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Hours and voting locations may vary from community to community. Check with your city or town clerk for specific details.

A person is eligible to vote by absentee ballot if they are a registered voter and will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day for any one of the following three reasons: (1) absence from the city during normal polling hours, (2) physical disability preventing you from going to the polls, (3) religious beliefs. 

Voters must first complete an absentee ballot application. The deadline to vote in person by absentee ballot is noon on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Voters may vote by mail or in person. Vote by Mail applications are also available for anyone who wishes to vote early by mail. The last day to request a ballot by mail is Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. You must first complete an application to receive a ballot by mail.

Once a voter has cast an early voting or absentee ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.