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

Published November 2, 2018

By DAN TOMASELLO

MELROSE — After months of enduring an onslaught of campaigning and relentless political advertisements, voters will finally make their voices heard when they head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

You can vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cast ballots at the following locations:

• Ward 1, Precinct 1: Roosevelt School, Vinton Street at Brunswick Park

• Ward 1, Precinct 2: Steele House, 1 Nason Dr.

• Ward 2, Precincts 1 and 2: Horace Mann School, 40 Damon Ave.

• Ward 3, Precincts 1 and 2: Beebe School, 263 West Foster St.

• Ward 4, Precinct 1: City Hall, 562 Main St., in the Aldermanic Chambers

• Ward 4, Precinct 2: Winthrop School, 162 First St. at Ashcroft Road

• Ward 5, Precincts 1 and 2: Lincoln School, 80 West Wyoming Ave.

• Ward 6, Precinct 1: City Hall, 562 Main St. in the Aldermanic Chambers

• Ward 6, Precinct 2: Winthrop School, 162 First St. at Ashcroft Road

• Ward 7, Precincts 1 and 2: Hoover School, Glendower Road (enter on Echo Street side)

 

Residents who are unable to vote on Election Day can request an absentee ballot. Election laws require that absentee ballots be available to registered voters who meet one of the following three criteria: Absent from the town during hours the polls are open; physical disability which would prevent voting at the polling place; and religious beliefs that would prevent participation on Election Day.

Early voting’s deadline is Friday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.

Races

The state election features nine contested races.

In the race for governor, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito are facing off against Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez and his running mate Quentin Palfrey.

There is a three-way race for U.S. Senate. Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren is running against Republican State Rep. Geoff Diehl of Whitman and independent Shiva Ayyadurai.

Two candidates are running for attorney general. Democratic incumbent Maura Healey is facing off against Republican James McMahon.

There is a three-way race for secretary of state. Democratic incumbent William Galvin is running against Republican Anthony Amore and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Juan G. Sanchez.

In the three-way race for state treasurer, Democratic incumbent Deborah Goldberg is facing off against Republican State Rep. Keiko Orrall of Lakeville and Green-Rainbow candidate Jamie Guerin of Northampton.

Four candidates are running for state auditor. Democratic incumbent Suzanne Bump is looking to hold onto her seat. Bump’s challengers are Republican Helen Brady, Libertarian candidate Daniel Fishman and Green-Rainbow candidate Edward Stamas.

Democratic Congresswoman Katherine Clark of Prospect Street is being challenged by Republican John Hugo of Woburn.

Two candidates are running to represent the sixth district on the Governor’s Council. Lynnfield resident and Democratic incumbent Terrence Kennedy is being challenged by independent Vincent Dixon of Winchester.

State Sen. Jason M. Lewis is seeking reelection against Reading Republican Erin K. Calvo-Bacci in the Fifth Middlesex District.

Four candidates are running unopposed in the state election. State Rep. Paul Brodeur, the Trenton Street Democrat, is running for reelection. Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, the Belmont Democrat, is seeking reelection. Clerk of Courts Michael A. Sullivan is running for reelection, as is Register of Deeds Maria C. Curtatone of Somerville.

Ballot questions

In addition to the candidates running for office, townspeople will be voting on three ballot questions.

The most hotly contested ballot question is Question 1, which would limit how many patients could be assigned to each registered nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and certain other health care facilities. A yes vote would limit the number of patients that could be assigned to one registered nurse in hospitals and other health care facilities. A no vote would make no change in state law.

Question 2 would establish a commission that would be tasked with considering and recommending potential amendments to the United States Constitution in order to “establish that corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as human beings.” A yes vote would create the citizens commission to advance an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit the influence of money in elections and establish that corporations do not have the same rights as people. A no vote would not create the commission.

Question 3 would add, “Gender identity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in places of public accommodation, resort or amusement.” A yes vote would keep the current law and a no vote would repeal the law.