Belmont Voters Come Out All Day To Cast Ballots In State Primary

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Photo: They voted Tuesday.

A small stream can eventually over time create a deep valley.

On Tuesday, it was a steady stream throughout the day entering Belmont’s eight polling sites that produced an impressive figure of residents to take the time to vote on a hot, humid election day.

Approximately 5,000 voters or just under 30 percent of eligible voters took out a ballot for the state primary election held on Tuesday, Sept. 4. In precincts 1 and 6, a third of voters came out to cast ballots. Even the lowest level of participation at Precinct 4 was at 25 percent.

It was a number that impressed Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman as the election came a day after the Labor Day holiday and without a high profile race – such as the upset by Ayanna Pressley over incumbent Michael Capuano in the nearby Seventh Congressional District Democratic primary – to bring out the voters.

“It was a trickle, no one needed to wait to vote at any time but if that happens all day, it comes out to 30 percent,” said Cushman who released the unofficial results just after 9 p.m.

In races involving Belmontians, it was nip and tuck for most of the night but incumbent Marian Ryan of Belmont pulled ahead of challenger Donna Patalano by more than 11,000 votes, 81,098 to 70,061, to secure the Democratic nomination for Middlesex County District Attorney. In her hometown, Ryan swamped Patalano, 2,338 to 1,359.

In the District 3 Governor’s Council primary, long-time incumbent Marilyn Devaney beat back the challenge of Nick Carter, 49,528 to 39,122, while in Belmont, the newcomer took the “Town of Homes” 1,763 to 1,660.

In the race to “beat the blanks,” – both were unchallenged – State Sen. Will Brownsberger took home 3,508 (only 516 blank ballots) votes while Dave Rogers, Belmont’s state representative, received 3,207 vs. 817 blanks.

To see the complete results, head over to the Town Clerk’s website. 

Belmont Votes: State Primary Election; Polls Open 7AM – 8PM

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Photo:

Voting in the Massachusetts State Primary will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHO CAN VOTE AND FOR WHICH PARTY

Your enrollment as a voter will determine which party ballot you can choose.

A voter enrolled in one of the three Massachusetts political parties, can only vote the ballot for that specific party, represented by these letters:

  • D – Democratic Party
  • R – Republican Party
  • L – Libertarian Party

A registered Democrat cannot vote a Republican or Libertarian ballot; a registered Republican cannot vote a Democratic or Libertarian ballot; a registered Libertarian cannot vote a Democratic or Republican ballot.

Only voters who are not affiliated with a political party, called Unenrolled (U – commonly known as No Party or “Independent”) can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day.

If you belong to a minor party which is not holding a primary – for example, the Green, Socialist, American Independent or Pirate parties – you will not have the chance to vote for in this election.

THE ISSUE WITH YOUR CENSUS

Voters who have not returned a town census this year are classified as “inactive” voters, a status that requires the voter to present identification at the polling station in order to return to the active voting rolls.

Voters should consider carrying an ID when going to vote to make the process simpler on election day.

BELMONT VOTING LOCATIONS

  • Precinct 1: Belmont Memorial Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 2: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 3: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 4 Daniel Butler School Gym, 90 White St.
  • Precinct 5 Beech Street 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 From Cross Street

If you would like further clarification or have any other questions related to the upcoming election, please check the Town Clerk’s webpages then select Departments, Town Clerk and click on any of the Election links on the left side of the page or call the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office at 617-993-2600 or email to townclerk@belmont-ma.gov

What To Know About Next Week’s State Primary Election

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Photo: Belmont residents voting at Precinct 2 in Town Hall.

Voting in the Massachusetts State Primary will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 4 

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHO CAN VOTE AND FOR WHICH PARTY

Your enrollment as a voter will determine which party ballot you can choose to vote in.

A voter enrolled in one of the three Massachusetts political parties, can only vote the ballot for that specific party, represented by these letters:

  • D – Democratic Party
  • R – Republican Party
  • L – Libertarian Party

A registered Democrat cannot vote a Republican or Libertarian ballot; a registered Republican cannot vote a Democratic or Libertarian ballot; a registered Libertarian cannot vote a Democratic or Republican ballot.

Only voters who are not affiliated with a political party, called Unenrolled (U – commonly known as No Party or “Independent”) can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day.

THE ISSUE WITH YOUR CENSUS

Voters who have not returned a town census this year are classified as “inactive” voters, a status that requires the voter to present identification at the polling station in order to return to the active voting rolls.

Voters should consider carrying an ID when going to vote to make the process simpler on election day.

BELMONT VOTING LOCATIONS

  • Precinct 1: Belmont Memorial Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 2: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 3: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 4 Daniel Butler School Gym, 90 White St.
  • Precinct 5 Beech Street 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 From Cross Street

If you would like further clarification or have any other questions related to the upcoming election, please check the Town Clerk’s webpages then select Departments, Town Clerk and click on any of the Election links on the left side of the page or call the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office at 617-993-2600 or email to townclerk@belmont-ma.gov

Primary Election Deadline For Voter Registration, Party Changes Is Aug. 15 at 8 PM

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Photo: State Party Primary Sept. 4.

The Belmont Town Clerk reminds residents who have not registered to vote that Wednesday, Aug. 15 is the deadline to register to vote if they want to participate in the Massachusetts Primary on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Aug. 15 is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change their party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled,” which is commonly referred to as “independent” or “unaffiliated.” Voters registered in one of the three Massachusetts parties, Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian may only vote that party’s ballot. To be eligible for a different party’s ballot, the voter must switch to another party or to “unenrolled” status by 8 p.m. on Aug. 15.   Unenrolled voters or voters enrolled in political designations can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, but someone registered in a party can only vote on that party’s ballot. A registered Democrat cannot vote a Republican or Libertarian ballot; a registered Republican cannot vote a Democratic or Libertarian ballot; a registered Libertarian cannot vote a Democratic or Republican ballot.

The Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 15 for voters who wish to change their party registration status or for persons wishing to register for the first time.

Persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Massachusetts, and who will be at least 18 years old on or before Sept. 4 are eligible to register to vote. Those meeting these qualifications who have a Massachusetts Driver’s License can submit their registration online at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. Those registering by mail should have their form hand-canceled by the Post Office to ensure it is postmarked on or before the deadline.   Newly registered voters will receive confirmation letters from the Town Clerk.

You may verify your voter registration and/or your voting location at:https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx .

For more information, feel free to contact the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office at: townclerk@belmont-ma.gov or 617-993-2600.