Contrary Belmont: Voters Support Coakley, Yes on Casino Ban, Gas Tax Index

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Belmont was true blue for Martha Coakley as the left-leaning town’s voters gave the Democrat their support in her run for Massachusetts governor against Republican Charlie Baker in the Massachusetts General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

But the “Town of Homes” backing wasn’t enough as Baker won a squeaker over Coakley by just fewer than 38,000 votes as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Belmont voters also bucked the state-wide trend on two of the four ballot questions, voting for a casino ban in Massachusetts and supporting continuing the automatic increase of the state’s gas tax by the rate of inflation.

Residents did support the measure requiring employers to provide paid leave and voted no on expanding the bottle bill.

Nearly three of five Belmont voters turned out to cast a ballot at the town’s eight precincts, according to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman. A total of 10,310 voters cast ballots on Tuesday.

“We have strong voter interest across town,” said Cushman at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, noting lines were common through out the day at polling places.

The 57 percent participation rate is significantly lower than the 67 percent who showed up for the last gubernatorial election in 2010 when 11,140 voter went to the polls.

Complete results can be found at the Town Clerk’s web page here.

In the feature Governor’s race, Coakley defeated Baker, 5,598 to 4,296, or 55 percent to 42 percent. Independent Evan Falchuk received 224 votes, or 2.2 percent, slightly lower than his statewide result of 3.3 percent.

Baker slightly improved on his result in Belmont of four years ago when he was defeated by sitting governor Deval Patrick, 6,514 to 3,953.

On the ballot questions, Belmont voters ran counter to the state on the casino bill, Question 3, voting to approve a casino ban by a wide margin, 56 percent to 44 percent. Statewide, the measure was soundly defeated, 60 percent to 40 percent.

Belmont also voted against the rest of the state on removing the automatic indexing of the state gas tax, Question 1. Statewide the measure passed 53 percent to 47 percent, while being voted down by residents, 58 percent to 42 percent.

Residents joined state voters in rejecting expanding the bottle bill, Question 2, but by a tighter margin, 55 percent to 45 percent, as opposed to the overwhelming vote, three to one, statewide. And they approved in greater numbers the earned sick time measure, Question 4, 65 percent to 35 percent, while Massachusetts voters approved the question 60/40.

And 74 percent of residents voted in favor of the non-binding Question 5, asking State Rep. Dave Rogers to vote in favor of legislation that would regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.

Belmont Votes: Where, Who, When, What in the State General Election

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Today, Tuesday, Nov. 4, Belmont voters have the opportunity to cast ballots in Massachusetts General Election for state-wide candidates, federal office holders and four ballot questions.

Time

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Who can vote

All legally registered voters affiliated with any number of political parties and un-enrolled. 

You may be asked for ID

Did you fill out your town census form mailed earlier in the year? If you did not, then you are known as an “inactive” voter. Luckily, an “inactive” voter may still vote but first must provide adequate identification proving the voter’s identity and current place of residence. Usually a Massachusetts Driver’s License or State issued ID are sufficient.

Who’s running?

Find out about the state-wide candidates here.

What are the ballot questions?

Number 1: Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing

Number 2: Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law

Number 3: Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming

Number 4: Earned Sick Time for Employees

Transportation to the polls

Questions about or during votingThe League of Women Voters of Belmont is offering rides to the polls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 617-771-8500 to schedule transportation.

FAQ

Most questions – including who is eligible to vote in Belmont – that arise during voting can be answered by the precinct warden at the polling station. Other questions should be addressed to the Town Clerk’s Office at 617-993-2600. 

Where do I vote?

Don’t know where to vote? Call the Town Clerk at 617-993-2600, or read or download the handy map included on this web page that includes a street directory.

Polling Places:

  • Precinct 1; Belmont Memorial Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 2: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 3: Beech Street Center (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 4: Daniel Butler School, 90 White St.
  • Precinct 5: Beech Street Center (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 6: Belmont Fire Headquarters, 299 Trapelo Rd.
  • Precinct 7: Burbank School Gym, 266 School St.
  • Precinct 8: Winn Brook School Gym, 97 Waterhouse Rd (Enter at Cross St)

Town Clerk: Get a Heads Up on the Coming State General Election

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With the Massachusetts General Election just 15 days away, Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman wants registered voters prepared what to expect on the ballot and where to go to cast one.

The polls will be open in Belmont for the Nov. 4 State Election from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are many candidate races on the ballot this year as well as five questions on the Belmont ballot. The Town Clerk’s office offers the following non-partisan sources for Belmont voters to be informed voters prior to getting your ballot on Election Day :

  • The Secretary of the Commonwealth mailed a red booklet to every household in Massachusetts, titled  “Massachusetts Information for Voters, 2014 Ballot Questions.” This booklet covers the four state ballot questions, however Belmont has a fifth question voters should examine.
  • Visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, enter your Belmont address and find out your voting location and precinct number and view a copy of the Sample Ballot for Belmont, which includes Question 5, a non-binding question from Belmont state Rep. David Rogers.
  • Visit the Belmont Town Clerk’s website to see the precinct maps, and answers to frequently asked questions  about voting.

Massachusetts Information for Voters, 2014 Ballot Questions, published by the the Secretary of the Commonwealth:

Question 1: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing

Question 2: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law

Question 3: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition – Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming

Question 4: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition –  Earned Sick Time for Employees

Question 5: Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana in the same manner as alcohol?

Precinct Locations:

  • Precinct 1: Belmont Memorial Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 2: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 3: Beech Street Center, (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 4: Daniel Butler School, Gymnasium, 90 White St.
  • Precinct 5:  Beech Street Center, (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 6: Belmont Fire Headquarters, 299 Trapelo Rd.
  • Precinct 7: Burbank School, Gymnasium, 266 School St.
  • Precinct 8: Winn Brook School, Gymnasium, 97 Waterhouse Rd. (Enter from Cross Street)

Questions? Contact Belmont Town Clerk’s office at 617-993-2600 or townclerk@belmont-ma.gov

Last Chance to Register for General Election Today, Wednesday, Until 8 PM

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Today, Wednesday, Oct. 15, is the final day to register to vote or make any changes to your party, address or name, to qualify for the Nov 4 state general election.

The Town Clerk’s office will remain open until 8 p.m. to accept voter registrations and changes. The office is located in Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave.

To learn more about registering to vote, HAVA, and upcoming elections, or to print registration forms, please visit the Town Clerk’s website or telephone the Town Clerk’s office at 617-993-2600.

 

Town Clerk Holding ‘Late’ Night Voter Registration Sept. 23

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To celebrate National Voter Registration Day, the Belmont Town Clerk’s office will remain open until 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Residents of Belmont who are citizens of the United States and will be age 18 or older on the day of the State election, Nov. 4, may register to vote at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave. Registrants should be certain to have identification that complies with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

A voter registration day will be held for Belmont High School students and staff on Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 10:40 a.m., to 12:40 p.m. outside the cafeteria at the high school. Staff and students who are U.S. citizens and will turn 18 on or before Nov. 4 can register to vote.

Just remember, the final day to register to vote or make any changes to your party, address or name, to qualify for the State Election is Oct. 15.

The Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall, 455 Concord Avenue will remain open until 8 p.m. on Oct. 15  to accept voter registrations and changes that evening; mailed registration form .

To learn more about registering to vote, HAVA, and upcoming elections, or to print registration forms, please visit the Town Clerk’s website or telephone the Town Clerk’s office at 617-993-2600.

Time’s Running Short to Register in State Elections

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Here is information that will confirm that summer is nearly over: the biennial State Elections are just around the corner as Massachusetts voters this year will select several important statewide political officials including a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer along with members of Congress and the state legislature.

If you want to be part of the process, Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman is ready to register residents to vote in the Sept. 9 State Party Primary and the Nov. 4 General State elections.

Any Belmont resident who is 18 years or older and a citizen of the United States can register to vote.  In order to be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, voter registration must be received or postmarked by the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Aug. 20 for the Sept. 9, for State Party Primaries.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 15 for the Nov. 4, for State General Election.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s office will be open until 8 p.m. on the deadline days.

Registered To Vote in Another Town

If you were a registered to vote in another town or state, you’ll need to register as a voter in Belmont in order to vote here.

Voter registration and changes to party affiliation, name or address (within Belmont) documents are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Belmont Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave. or online at the Town Clerk’s web pages.

Absentee Ballot Application

Forms for individuals who qualify to receive an absentee ballot due to absence from Belmont on Election Day or physical disability preventing the voter from going to the polling place or religious belief. A voter may request a ballot in writing to the Town Clerk but the request must include the voter’s signature.