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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.
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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
Updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilitiesApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes37–0 · PassedTo provide identification to homeless youth and familiesApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes37–0 · PassedAddressing barriers to care for mental healthApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes38–0 · PassedTo accelerate the transition of cars, trucks and buses to carbon-free powerApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes35–2 · PassedRelative to Energy Savings Efficiency (Energy SAVE)Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes35–2 · PassedRelative to Energy Savings Efficiency (Energy SAVE)Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No7–30 · Amendment rejectedSetting next-generation climate policyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes37–0 · Amendment adoptedRelative to plastic bag reductionAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No13–26 · Amendment rejectedRelative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparencyApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes40–0 · PassedRelative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparencyAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes39–0 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2019Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes39–0 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2019Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes38–0 · Amendment adoptedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Amendment agreed toVoted: Yes147–48 · Amendment adoptedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No39–154 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No42–152 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No41–155 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No40–155 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No42–154 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No40–156 · Amendment rejectedVote without a bill number-- Question on adoption of the resolutionsVoted: Yes40–0 · PassedPreventing distracted drivingApprove 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 adoptedTo reduce traffic fatalitiesApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes39–0 · PassedSource: 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