‘A self-fulfilling cycle’: Why Gateway Cities consistently have lower voter turnout

It’s Election Season in Massachusetts, and that means officials, experts, and strategists alike are keeping a watchful eye on voter turnout.

Statewide turnout in the September 1 primary election hit nearly 23 percent — the highest it’s been in a midterm election year since 2006. It’s a promising outcome, suggesting the Bay State could ultimately see higher voter turnout on November 3 than in previous election years. After all, this year’s ballot will feature an unusually high number of widely debated ballot questions, as well as other high-profile races.

But cities like Worcester — where the poverty rate is twice as high as the state’s — may still have trouble getting people to the polls this November. The city’s turnout in this month’s primary was just over 15 percent, though it was a notable increase from the city’s 11.5 percent turnout in the 2024 primary.