By MAUREEN DOHERTY and DAN TOMASELLO
Published August 27, 2020
NORTH READING — It’s finally here: the 2020 election season has begun. The Democrats had their virtual convention last week and this week, it’s the Republicans’ turn. Meanwhile, Early Voting in Massachusetts began this past Saturday and continues through Friday, Aug. 28 at 1 p.m.
This is the first time the Early Voting option was provided for a state primary in Massachusetts. To exercise this option, the town’s voters may head over to the Town Hall gymnasium, 235 North St., today and tomorrow during regular business hours.
After a three-day break, the polls will be open for the actual state primary on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in all four precincts will cast their ballots at St. Theresa’s parish hall, 63 Winter St., on election day. All social distancing rules will apply (see related story).
Town Clerk Barbara Stats noted the town has 11,561 registered voters. Through Monday, 1.23 percent of the town’s voters had participated in Early Voting. Polls were open for four hours both Saturday and Sunday. There were 44 ballots cast on Saturday and 33 on Sunday. An additional 65 voters went to the polls on Monday during the eight hours the polls were open. Of the 142 ballots cast to date, 114 voters chose a Democratic ballot while 28 voters chose a Republican ballot.
No ballots were chosen for either the Libertarian or Green-Rainbow party, but neither party had any announced candidates so the only option for voters in these parties is to write in candidates.
This voting percentage reflects the Early Voting in-person option only; it does not take into account any mail-in ballots sent to Town Hall or deposited in the special ballot drop off box near the front door of the building. (Hint: it’s the box that looks like Uncle Sam’s striped trousers.) This box will be locked at 8 p.m. when the polls close on Sept. 1.
Requests for mail-in ballots have been robust and are being processed by the town clerk and her staff as quickly as possible.
While the deadline to request a ballot for voting by mail passed on Wednesday, as the Transcript was going to press, voters can still request an in-person ballot (the traditional absentee ballot) until noon on Monday, August 31, and return it before the polls close.
Meet the candidates
There are two contested races appearing on the Democratic primary ballot and one contested race on the Republican primary ballot for North Reading voters. There are no Green-Rainbow Party and Libertarian Party candidates running in their respective primaries, but voters can still request ballots for those primaries using the write-in option.
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary features contested races for Senator in Congress and Representative in Congress.
Incumbent Senator Edward J. Markey of Malden is being challenged by Joseph P. Kennedy III of Newton, who is currently a Representative in Congress.
Over the course of his tenure in both Congress and the U.S. Senate, Markey has advocated for renewable energy to fight climate change and is a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal. He has also advocated on behalf of “Medicare for all” and gun control.
Kennedy, a grandson of late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, has represented Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District since 2013. As a Congressman, Kennedy has advocated for making health care more affordable, criminal justice reform and increasing access to mental health services.
Rep. Seth Moulton, of Salem, the incumbent for the 6th Congressional District, is facing two challengers in the state primary, Jamie M. Belsito of Topsfield and Angus G. McQuilken, also of Topsfield.
Moulton, who was elected to Congress in November 2014, has advocated on behalf of veterans’ issues, criminal justice reform and local issues such as securing COVID-19 relief funds for the district as part of the CARES Act. He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for president last year.
Belsito is the founder of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. She has advocated for making health care more affordable, improving access to education and reforming the country’s immigration system.
McQuilken helped launch the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. He has also made climate change a focal point of his campaign as well as job creation.
Four other candidates are running unopposed in the Democratic primary. North Reading resident Michelle Mullet is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for the 20th Middlesex District in the state House of Representatives in the General Court.
Medford resident Tara E. DeCristofaro is running unopposed to retain her seat as the Register of Probate. Eileen R. Duff of Gloucester is running for re-election as Councillor for the 5th District. There is no declared candidate for the Democratic nomination of state Senator in the General Court.
Republican primary
There is one contested race appearing on the Republican ballot.
Dover resident Kevin J. O’Connor is running against Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai for nomination to the U.S. Senate. O’Connor is a practicing attorney who opposes gun control and “sanctuary cities,” and is a supporter of term limits for members of Congress.
Ayyadurai has spoken out against vaccinations, including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s recent mandate that students get a flu shot by the end of the year.
There are three candidates running unopposed in the Republican primary. State Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester is running for reelection to the seat he holds in the First Essex and Middlesex District.
House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones of North Reading is running unopposed for the Republican nomination for the 20th Middlesex District in the state House of Representatives in the General Court.
John Paul Moran is running for the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District.