In Lancaster, 54.78% of voters supported Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, 6.45 percentage points lower than their statewide backing of 61.23%, a difference found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level using a two-sample, one-tailed t-test. Conversely, Trump and J.D. Vance received 42.37% of the vote in Lancaster, 6.34 percentage points higher than their statewide share of 36.03%, another statistically significant difference. Minor party candidates and write-ins collectively received less than 3% of the vote both in Lancaster and throughout the Commonwealth.
Warren narrowly defeats Deaton in Lancaster by a 1.58% margin
Senator Elizabeth Warren, running for her third term, narrowly edged out Republican John Deaton in Lancaster with 50.68% of the vote compared to Deaton’s 49.1%. Support for Warren in Lancaster was 9.12% lower than her statewide share of 59.8%—a statistically significant increase over Lancaster’s vote percentage at the 95% confidence level, based on the aforementioned one-tailed t-test. Meanwhile statewide, Deaton received 40% of the vote.
Trahan wins the 3rd Congressional District overwhelmingly despite 25% of voters leaving the ballot blank
Lancaster voters overwhelmingly supported Democratic Representative Lori Trahan, who ran unopposed in the 3rd Congressional District on Nov. 5, 2024, receiving 98.14% of the vote in Lancaster—0.64% higher than her districtwide total of 97.5%.
However, these high percentages do not account for the number of blank ballots, as the Secretary of State’s Office excludes blanks from the denominator when calculating total vote percentages. In the 3rd Congressional District, 25% of voters left the ballot blank for Trahan, while in Lancaster, 29%—equivalent to 1,260 blank ballots out of 4,275 cast—did the same.
The reason for the high number of blanks for Trahan could simply be that the Republican and unenrolled (i.e. Independent) voters who normally would have voted for a Republican if she had an opponent, just didn’t bullet the ballot for her because she is a Democrat. For instance, when Trahan ran against Republican Dean Tran in the 3rd Congressional District in 2022, she won with 63.5% of the vote, Tran got 36.4% of the vote, and only 3.22% of the votes cast were blank. In the most recent race, 25% of voters throughout the Commonwealth blanked the ballot for Trahan, which is only 11.4 percentage points lower than the total votes Tran obtained in the 2022 election. Nevertheless, while these numbers are comparable, when the percent of those who voted for Tran in 2022 are compared to the total blanks in the district in the most recent race in a one-tailed, two sample t-test, there is a statistically significant difference between these percentages at the 95% confidence level.
| 2022 Race Results for the 3rd Congressional District | Vote Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Lori Trahan (Democrat) | 154,496 | 63.5% |
| Dean Tran (Republican) | 88,585 | 36.4% |
| All Others | 220 | 0.1% |
| Blanks | 8,088 | – |
| Total Votes Cast | 251,389 | 100% |
Significantly more Lancaster voters supported the Republican candidate in Governor’s Council race when compared to district
In the Governor’s Council race for District 7, Democrat Paul M. DePalo received 53.58% of the vote in Lancaster, which was 3.73% lower than his district-wide support of 57.3%. This difference is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. DePalo’s Republican opponent Andrew Couture received 46.4% in Lancaster, exceeding his 42.5% districtwide result. The 3.9% difference in support for Couture is also statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.
Support for State Senator John Cronin was significantly lower in Lancaster when compared to district
In the State Senate race for the Worcester and Middlesex District, Democrat John Cronin secured 54.99% in Lancaster, trailing his districtwide performance of 59%, this 4.01% difference between Lancaster and the district is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Republican Nicholas Pirro captured 44.99% in Lancaster compared to his 40.8% districtwide, this difference is also statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.
Support for Democratic State Representative Meg Kilcoyne higher in Lancaster than district
State Representative Meghan Kilcoyne dominated in Lancaster with 98.57% of the vote, slightly surpassing her 97.7% districtwide share; and that 0.87% difference – believe it or not – is statistically significant at the 95 percent confidence level.
Ballot Questions
On key ballot measures, Lancaster voters aligned with statewide/districtwide outcomes on most measures except for psychedelics, which more residents in Lancaster opposed, and the tipped worker wage increase question, which more Lancaster residents also opposed.
- Question 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature
Lancaster voters supported expanding the state auditor’s authority to audit the legislature with 72.65% voting “Yes,” closely matching the 71.6% statewide approval. - Question 2: Elimination of MCAS Graduation Requirement
The elimination of the MCAS requirement for high school graduation in Lancaster was virtually equivalent to the statewide results, with 59.66% in Lancaster voting “Yes” compared to 59.1% statewide. - Question 3: Unionization for Ride-Share Drivers
In Lancaster, 52.36% opposed the unionization measure, diverging from the 54.1% statewide approval by -1.74%. - Question 4: Legalization of Psychedelics
Lancaster voters were more opposed to the limited legalization of psychedelics, with 59.63% voting “No,” compared to 56.8% statewide opposition, this 2.83% difference is statistically significant. - Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers
Lancaster voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure, with 69.24% voting “No,” exceeding the statewide “No” vote of 64.1%, a +5.14% statistically significant increase over the statewide results.
Here are the total breakdowns for the results from the Nov. 5, 2024 election for Lancaster and the state. The total vote percentages – per the protocol of the Secretary of State’s Office – exclude blank votes from the denominator in their determination.
The statewide data in the tables was obtained from the Secretary of State’s website here and the Lancaster results were obtained from the town’s website here.
President & Vice President
| President & Vice President | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris & Walz | 2,322 | 54.78% | 2,126,545 | 61.23% |
| Trump & Vance | 1,796 | 42.37% | 1,251,308 | 36.03% |
| Ayyadurai & Ellis | 34 | 0.80% | 18,419 | 0.53% |
| Stein & Caballero-Roca | 26 | 0.61% | 26,544 | 0.76% |
| Oliver & Ter Maat | 27 | 0.64% | 17,734 | 0.51% |
| De La Cruz & Garcia | 9 | 0.21% | 12,887 | 0.37% |
| Write-In Votes | 25 | 0.59% | 19,693 | 0.57% |
| Blank Votes | 36 | – | 39,213 | – |
| Totals | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Senate (Statewide)
| Senator in Congress | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Ann Warren (Democrat) | 2,117 | 50.68% | 2,041,693 | 59.8% |
| John Deaton (Republican) | 2,051 | 49.10% | 1,365,445 | 40.0% |
| Write-in Votes | 9 | 0.22% | 6,221 | 0.2% |
| Blank Votes | 98 | – | 99,507 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Congress (3nd Congressional District)
| Rep. in Congress | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Districtwide) | Percent (Districtwide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lori Trahan (Democrat) | 2,959 | 98.14% | 264,698 | 97.5% |
| Write-in Votes | 56 | 1.86% | 6,861 | 2.5% |
| Blank Votes | 1,260 | – | 91,119 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 362,678 | 100% |
Governor’s Council (District 7)
| Governor’s Councilor | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Districtwide) | Percent (Districtwide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul M. DePalo (Democrat) | 2,104 | 53.58% | 228,944 | 57.3% |
| Andrew J. Couture (Republican) | 1,822 | 46.40% | 169,936 | 42.5% |
| Write-in Votes | 1 | 0.02% | 565 | 0.1% |
| Blank Votes | 348 | – | 31,267 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 430,712 | 100% |
State Senator (i.e. Senator in General Court) (Worcester and Middlesex District)
| Senator in General Court | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Districtwide) | Percent (Districtwide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John J. Cronin (Democrat) | 2,216 | 54.99% | 50,235 | 59.0% |
| Nicholas A. Pirro, III (Republican) | 1,813 | 44.99% | 34,759 | 40.8% |
| Write-in Votes | 1 | 0.02% | 100 | 0.1% |
| Blank Votes | 245 | – | 4,594 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 89,688 | 100% |
State Representative (i.e. Representative in General Court) (12th Worcester District)
| Representative in General Court | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Districtwide) | Percent (Districtwide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meghan K. Kilcoyne (Democrat) | 2,970 | 98.57% | 18,684 | 97.7% |
| Write-in Votes | 43 | 1.43% | 445 | 2.3% |
| Blank Votes | 1,262 | – | 6,468 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 25,597 | 100% |
Clerk of Courts (Worcester County)
| Clerk of Courts | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Countywide) | Percent (Countywide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis P. McManus (Democrat) | 2,910 | 98.95% | 307,589 | 97.9% |
| Write-in Votes | 31 | 1.05% | 6,671 | 2.1% |
| Blank Votes | 1,334 | – | 111,184 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 425,444 | 100% |
Register of Deeds (Worcester District)
| Register of Deeds | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Districtwide) | Percent (Districtwide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathryn A. Toomey (Democrat) | 2,821 | 99.19% | 267,117 | 97.98% |
| Write-in Votes | 23 | 0.81% | 5,495 | 2.02% |
| Blank Votes | 1,431 | – | 99,241 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 371,853 | 100% |
Question 1: State auditor’s authority to audit the legislature
| Question 1 | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2,904 | 72.65% | 2,326,932 | 71.6% |
| No | 1,093 | 27.35% | 924,294 | 28.4% |
| Blank Votes | 278 | – | 261,640 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as high school graduation requirement
| Question 2 | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2,495 | 59.66% | 2,004,216 | 59.1% |
| No | 1,687 | 40.34% | 1,388,560 | 40.9% |
| Blank Votes | 93 | – | 120,090 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Question 3: Unionization for transportation network drivers
| Question 3 | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,928 | 47.64% | 1,771,770 | 54.1% |
| No | 2,119 | 52.36% | 1,504,681 | 45.9% |
| Blank Votes | 228 | – | 236,415 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Question 4: Limited legalization and regulation of certain natural psychedelic substances
| Question 4 | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,665 | 40.37% | 1,444,812 | 43.2% |
| No | 2,459 | 59.63% | 1,902,527 | 56.8% |
| Blank Votes | 151 | – | 165,527 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
Question 5: Minimum wage for tipped workers
| Question 5 | Total Votes (Lancaster) | Percent (Lancaster) | Total Votes (Statewide) | Percent (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,269 | 30.76% | 1,200,980 | 35.9% |
| No | 2,857 | 69.24% | 2,147,245 | 64.1% |
| Blank Votes | 149 | – | 164,641 | – |
| Total | 4,275 | 100% | 3,512,866 | 100% |
