By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — After months of campaigning, the presidential election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Registered voters will have the option to either vote-by-mail, vote early or vote in-person on Election Day. If residents want to vote early, they will be able to at the Town Clerk’s Office, 525 Salem St., on Wednesday, Oct. 30 and on Halloween from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The final day of early voting will take place from 8-1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.
The Town Clerk’s Office is located behind the Senior Center and is adjacent to Lynnfield Public Schools’ Central Office.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot was Tuesday, Oct. 29. If residents requested a vote-by-mail ballot, they need to return it to the Town Clerk’s Office before Election Day.
If residents prefer voting in-person, the polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at Lynnfield High School on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters from all four precincts will be casting ballots at LHS.
The election is headlined by a six-candidate race for president. The candidates looking to succeed Democratic President Joe Biden are Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, former Republican President Donald Trump, Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver, Socialism and Liberation Claudia De La Cruz and Independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai.
In the race for U.S. Senate, Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is running against Republican nominee John Deaton.
There is also a three-candidate race for Essex County Clerk of Courts. Democratic incumbent Thomas Driscoll Jr. is facing off against unenrolled candidate Todd Angilly of Alexandria Road and independent candidate Doris Rodriguez of Lawrence.
Two candidates are running for Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds. Democrat Eileen Duff is running against Republican Jonathan Ring.
Four candidates are running unopposed in next Tuesday’s election: Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading), State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Democratic Governor’s Councilor Terrance Kennedy of Stafford Road.
Additionally, there are five questions appearing on the ballot.
Question 1 asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature.
Ballot Question 2 seeks to eliminate the current requirement that students need to pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a high school diploma.
Question 3 asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow drivers for Lyft and Uber, and any other companies that use a digital network to connect riders to drivers for pre-arranged transportation, to collectively bargain to create negotiated recommendations concerning wages, benefits and terms and conditions of work. Drivers would not be required to engage in any union activities.
Ballot Question 4 is a proposed law that would allow people age 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances in some circumstances.
Question 5 seeks to gradually increase, over the course of five years the current $6.75 per hour minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker.
— Bob Katzen of Beacon Hill Roll Call contributed to this report.
