County Commissioner, Bristol County
September 1, 2026 · Bristol County, Massachusetts · County · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 21 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 582,270 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(1,638,365 ÷ 582,270) ÷ ln(1,638,365 ÷ 14,483) = 21.88, comparing counties in MA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Low representation + an uncontested race → Very low vote impact.
County Commissioner is responsible for:
- Passing county rules and the county budget
- Setting property tax rates that fund county services
- Overseeing county departments such as roads, parks, and public health
- Deciding land use in areas outside city limits
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
John Thomas Saunders
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
John Thomas Saunders is a Democratic Bristol County commissioner and is seeking reelection in 2026. He began serving on the commission in 2014 and won reelection in 2018 and 2022. Saunders previously served for 28 years on the New Bedford City Council.
Election sources
Source: sec.state.ma.us
Source: sec.state.ma.us