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Former State Representative
Ruth B. Balser
12th Middlesex District · Democrat · Third Division Chair
Towns: Brookline, Newton (some only in part)
- 2023–2024 State Representative, 12th Middlesex · Democrat
- 2021–2022 State Representative, 12th Middlesex · Democrat
- 2019–2020 State Representative, 12th Middlesex · 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 · 2023–2024 · House
190 of 201roll calls voted on (95%) · whole House 98%
22no votes (12% of votes cast) · whole House 13%
0 of 102split votes where Balser was in the minority (0%) · whole House 11%
0times voted “present”
Session by session
| Session | Roll calls voted on | No votes | In the minority (split votes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–2024 | 190 of 201 | 22 | 0 of 102 |
| 2021–2022 | 235 of 235 | 40 | 1 of 116 |
| 2019–2020 | 430 of 430 | 90 | 2 of 302 |
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official House and Senate roll calls. Quorum calls are not counted.
- “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 House” 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
2023–2024Missed 11 of 201 roll callsRank 142 of 164 representatives94%voted2021–2022Missed 0 of 235 roll callsRank 1 of 161 representatives · Every roll call100%voted2019–2020Missed 0 of 430 roll callsRank 1 of 162 representatives · Every roll call100%votedRoll calls this member did not vote on, while serving in the House. Ties share a rank. The record does not say why a member did not vote. See every representative →
Most divided votes
For each session, the 10 roll calls where the losing side was largest, with how Ruth B. Balser voted. Most roll calls in the Massachusetts Legislature pass by wide margins, so these are where members split the most.
2023–2024
Modernizing firearm lawsAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes124–33 · PassedRelative to the Affordable Homes ActAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–127 · Amendment rejectedRelative to the Affordable Homes ActAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No32–126 · Amendment rejectedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No30–127 · Amendment rejectedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Final approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes123–35 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Accept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes120–36 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2025Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No29–128 · Amendment rejectedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes121–33 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No29–125 · Amendment rejectedModernizing firearm lawsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes120–38 · PassedEarlier sessions (20)
Relative to work and family mobilityOverride the Governor's vetoVoted: Yes119–36 · Veto overridden (needs two-thirds)Relative to work and family mobilityFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes117–36 · PassedRelative to work and family mobilityAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes118–36 · PassedRelative to work and family mobilityApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes120–36 · PassedFostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and securityOn adoption of a further amendmentVoted: No93–64 · Amendment adoptedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No39–119 · Amendment rejectedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No41–117 · Amendment rejectedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of permanent House Rules for the 192nd General Court governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessio…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No38–121 · Amendment rejectedProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide resources for education and transportation through an additional tax on incomes in…of 2021 on again agreeing to the amendmentVoted: Yes121–39 · Amendment adoptedProposed Joint Rules governing the 2021-2022 legislative sessionAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No38–121 · Amendment rejectedRelative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the CommonwealthFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes91–67 · PassedRelative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the CommonwealthAccept the final compromise version worked out by House and Senate negotiatorsVoted: Yes92–67 · PassedPutting Patients FirstAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No62–94 · Amendment rejectedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes93–66 · PassedTo reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of colorOn further amendment to Consol "C"Voted: No72–87 · 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: No55–104 · 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: No53–106 · 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: No68–90 · 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: Yes83–76 · Amendment adoptedOrder (filed by Mr. Galvin of Canton) for the adoption of House Rules for the 191st General Court governing the 2019-2020 legislative sessions (House…Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No55–103 · 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 395
Health and human services 69
Water, sewer and environment 65
Police, fire and public safety 62
Roads, traffic and transit 58
Schools and education 48
Parks, recreation and libraries 28
Housing and zoning 21
Energy and utilities 19
Appointments and hiring 18
Elections and how government runs 13
Veterans 9
Licenses and permits 4
How Ruth B. Balser voted
968 recorded votes
Supplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes154–0 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes129–25 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes154–0 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2024Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No29–125 · Amendment rejectedTo provide for competitiveness and infrastructure investment in MassachusettsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes154–0 · PassedAuthorizing the town of North Reading to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposesFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes150–0 · PassedTo prevent abuse and exploitationApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Co-sponsor Voted: Yes151–0 · PassedTo prevent abuse and exploitationAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billCo-sponsor Voted: Yes151–0 · Amendment adoptedAuthorizing the conveyance of a certain parcel of land in the city of Fall RiverFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes156–0 · PassedTo improve quality and oversight of long-term careApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Co-sponsor Voted: Yes158–0 · PassedVote without a bill numberAttendance check (quorum call)Voted: Yes153–0 · Attendance checkSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2023Approve the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes133–25 · PassedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2023On Consolidated Amendment AVoted: Yes157–0 · Amendment adoptedSupplemental budget for fiscal year 2023Add a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No28–128 · Amendment rejectedPermitting the town of Wakefield to convey an easement to the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light DepartmentFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes158–0 · PassedProviding for unlimited free phone calls to incarcerated individualsFinal approval before the bill goes to the GovernorVoted: Yes132–26 · PassedModernizing firearm lawsApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Voted: Yes120–38 · PassedModernizing firearm lawsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: No26–133 · Amendment rejectedModernizing firearm lawsAdd a proposed change (amendment) to the billVoted: Yes158–0 · Amendment adoptedModernizing firearm laws"Shall the decis ion of the Chair stand?'Voted: Yes132–27 · PassedRelative to salary range transparencyApprove the bill in this chamber (it still needs the other chamber and a final vote)Co-sponsor Voted: Yes148–8 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2024item 7004-0102 Homeless SheltersVoted: Yes130–24 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2024item 7002-0025 Agency Oper. & OutreachVoted: Yes129–25 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2024item 7002-2022 Commun. Foundation GrantsVoted: Yes129–25 · PassedState budget for fiscal year 2024item 4800-0200 DCF Resource CentersVoted: Yes154–0 · 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