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Former State Senator
James T. Welch
Hampden District · Democrat
- 2019–2020 State Senator, Hampden · Democrat
An email with their new roll call votes when the Legislature votes, at most once a week.
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3
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Find my ballot →Record at a glance · 2019–2020 · Senate
468 of 471roll calls voted on (99%) · whole Senate 99%
57no votes (12% of votes cast) · whole Senate 13%
24 of 251split votes where Welch was in the minority (10%) · whole Senate 11%
0times voted “present”
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official House and Senate roll calls. Quorum calls are not counted, nor joint sessions and the vote electing the Senate President.
- “Roll calls voted on” matches the Missed votes figures below; voting “present” counts as voting.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no (ties not counted). “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes.
- “Whole Senate” combines every member’s record for the same session. Percentages are shown only with at least 10 votes to count.
- Most bills pass or die without a roll call, so these numbers cover only part of a legislator’s work.
- Party is shown as the Legislature lists it, next to the district. MassVoter never compares, groups or ranks legislators by party.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates legislators.
Missed votes
2019–2020SenateMissed 3 of 471 roll callsRank 31 of 41 senators99%votedRoll calls this member did not vote on, while serving in the Senate. Ties share a rank. The record does not say why a member did not vote. See every senator →
Most divided votes
For each session, the 10 roll calls where the losing side was largest, with how James T. Welch voted. Most roll calls in the Massachusetts Legislature pass by wide margins, so these are where members split the most.
2019–2020
Authorizing and accelerating transportation investmentAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes14–25 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes16–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes16–24 · Amendment rejectedRelative to voting options in response to COVID-19Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes14–25 · Amendment rejectedRelative to voting options in response to COVID-19Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes16–23 · Amendment rejectedRelative to automated enforcementAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes18–19 · Amendment rejectedRelative to automated enforcementAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes13–24 · Amendment rejectedRelative to educational opportunity for studentsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No14–24 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes16–23 · Amendment rejectedVotes by topic
Roll calls sorted by subject, from the bill title and the question voted on. A vote can fall under more than one topic; budget amendments mostly fall under Taxes and budgets. Tap a topic to see each vote.
Taxes and budgets 230
Health and human services 46
Water, sewer and environment 31
Schools and education 28
Police, fire and public safety 25
Roads, traffic and transit 21
Appointments and hiring 9
Parks, recreation and libraries 7
Energy and utilities 5
Housing and zoning 1
Licenses and permits 1
How James T. Welch voted
479 recorded votes
Authorizing the town of Medfield to enter into a long-term lease for an arts and cultural centerFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Bedford to release a portion of a certain conservation restrictionFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2020Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes39–1 · PassedAuthorizing the town of Barnstable to grant an easement to Vineyard Wind LLCFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes39–0 · PassedRelative to collective bargaining duesApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes38–1 · PassedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No7–31 · Amendment rejectedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–33 · Amendment rejectedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No6–32 · Amendment rejectedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No5–33 · Amendment rejectedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No6–32 · Amendment rejectedRelative to collective bargaining duesAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No6–32 · Amendment rejectedPreventing distracted drivingAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedFinancing improvements to municipal roads and bridgesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes40–0 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2020Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes36–3 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No6–33 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes38–1 · Amendment adoptedState budget for fiscal year 2020Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedSource: official profile on malegislature.gov. Only roll call votes are listed; bills passed on a voice vote have no individual record. MassVoter never grades or scores legislators. How to read this