Franklin Community 2020 Voting Guide - Primary - Sept 1

A worthy set of material to prepare for the Primary election. Get your copy here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pJTTTmSxr5JwjJVzdBl-ra2_KEAMd0pq/view?usp=sharing 

or here

 

For additional information on voting visit the Town Clerk page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

For the Franklin voters "election collection" visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

the Franklin voters "election collection"

In the News: “We’re just keeping on top of it"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Forgive your town clerk if she looks a little bleary-eyed. 

“We’re working around the clock,” Sudbury Town Clerk Beth Klein said. “We’re working weekends. We’re working late at night.” 

With a little more than a week until the Sept. 1 state primary, town clerks throughout the region set up COVID-19-safe sites for a week of state-mandated, in-person early voting that began Saturday, piling the job on top of weeks of unexpected, labor-intensive, mail-in voting work. 

“We’re trying to do the best we can. It’s just a very, very short time frame that we had to do this,” said Ashland Town Clerk Tara Ward, adding that other town departments have pitched in to help. “It was a tight squeeze. All of a sudden we were slammed.” 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200822/mail-in-voting-demand-is-straining-local-clerks-offices-heres-reform-clerks-say-they-need-for-november?rssfeed=true 

Vote Early In Person:  FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL GYM

• Sunday Aug. 23         10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

• Monday, Aug. 24         9:00 AM – 3:00 PM                      
• Tuesday, Aug. 25         9:00 AM – 3:00 PM             
• Wednesday, Aug. 26    9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday, Aug. 27       9:00 AM -  3:00 PM
• Friday, Aug. 28            9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

For additional information on voting visit the Town Clerk page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

For the Franklin voters "election collection" visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

In the News: “We’re just keeping on top of it"

Big day Saturday: Last Day to Register to vote; First day to Early Vote

Last Day To Register To Vote:   

August 22, 2020

First Day for Early Voting

Vote Early In Person:  FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL GYM
(1 week) starting Saturday, Aug. 22nd through Friday, Aug. 28th

• Saturday, Aug. 22      10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Sunday Aug. 23         10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 
• Monday, Aug. 24         9:00 AM – 3:00 PM                      
• Tuesday, Aug. 25         9:00 AM – 3:00 PM             
• Wednesday, Aug. 26    9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday, Aug. 27       9:00 AM -  3:00 PM
• Friday, Aug. 28            9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

For additional information on voting visit the Town Clerk page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

For the Franklin voters "election collection" visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

Big day Saturday: Last Day to Register to vote; First day to Early Vote

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

From the Town Clerk section of the Franklin Annual Report come the results of previous September primaries.

Year     Totals

2004 1415

2006 3315

2008 1442

2010 2261

2012 4826

2014 2325

2016 871

2018 4013

2020 ???

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

"Voters who chose to vote-by-mail can track their ballots on the secretary of state’s website"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Secretary of State’s Office has already mailed out almost 950,000 ballots in advance of the Sept. 1 primary election, representing nearly a quarter of the state’s 4.5 million registered voters.

The estimate of ballots mailed so far comes as the United States Postal Service faces increased scrutiny over whether it will be able to deliver mail-in ballots on time for local clerks to count them. USPS officials set off an uproar in late July when they warned states that deadlines for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Services’ delivery standard.

But on Tuesday, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy issued a statement saying that he would suspend operational initiatives “that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic” until after the election, to avoid the appearance of effects on electoral mail.

Secretary of State William Galvin said about 149,000 ballots have been returned to local clerks and he expects mail-in voting will help boost participation while taking into account public health guidelines. The state’s top election official said “a lot of people” who requested ballots were primarily motivated by voting in the November general election, adding that more than a million people asked for ballots for the general election."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200819/nearly-1m-ballots-sent-to-mass-voters?rssfeed=true

Your application and ballot tracker  

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx

Franklin voters can return their ballots at the Municipal Bldg
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-voters-how-to-return-your-mail.html

Franklin voters can return their ballots at the Municipal Bldg

Franklin voters: How to return your mail in ballot

Guidance from the Town Clerk's office on ballot return. https://t.co/qU3lARaIt8

Franklin voters: How to return your mail in ballot

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1295786717090324482?s=03

Ballot question 2 - ranked choice voting

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:

Beyond picking winners this fall, Massachusetts voters will be asked to consider something very meta: Should they change how they choose them?

After centuries of residents picking one candidate per office, a question on November’s ballot proposes they instead rank their preferred choices in both primary and general elections for an array of elected seats. Should it pass, Massachusetts would have the second statewide — and most extensive — ranked-choice voting system in the country.

Implementing the new system would mean the person who receives the most first-place votes in a race with several candidates could, in fact, lose. If there is no candidate with a majority of votes, the last-place candidate is eliminated and his or her voters’ second and subsequent choices are re-distributed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/22/metro/should-person-with-most-number-one-votes-always-win/

The summary of Ballot Question 2

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/09/04/FINAL%20SUMMARY%2019-10.pdf

"Ranked-choice voting would be used only in races where a single candidate is to be declared the winner and not in races where more than one person is to be elected."

Hence ranked choice voting would NOT be used for the Franklin Town Council or School Committee elections.

For other information to prepare for the Primary (on Sep 1) and Election (on Nov 3) visit the 2020 Election Collection https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

Ballot question 2 - ranked choice voting

Other State Officials up for Election on Primary Ballot - Sep 1

COUNCILLOR (Governor’s Council)

The Governor's Council is composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lieutenant Governor who serves ex officio.  They provide advice and consent on gubernatorial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury.

For more information, go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/governors-council

• ROBERT L. JUBINVILLE    Democrat    https://www.votejubinville.com/

There are no candidates for the Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow parties

REGISTER OF PROBATE   NORFOLK COUNTY

The register of probate administers the probate court, which primarily handles family legal matters (including divorce and child custody cases), and wills and estates. The register of probate provides the court's services and keeps the court's records.

For more information, go to https://www.mass.gov/locations/norfolk-probate-and-family-court

• COLLEEN MARIE BRIERLEY    Democrat  https://www.facebook.com/Colleen4Probate/
• NOEL T. DiBONA    Democrat  https://www.facebook.com/Noeldibonaprobate/
• KATHRYN E. HUBLEY    Democrat  https://kathyhubley.com/
• COURTNEY M. MADDEN    Democrat  https://courtneymadden.org/
• MICHAEL F. WALSH    Democrat  https://walshforprobate.com/

There are no candidates for the Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow parties

COUNTY TREASURER NORFOLK COUNTY

The County Treasurer is responsible for the collection, custody and management all money belonging to the County government, and disbursement of those funds according to law. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping financial records, including bills, vouchers, and documentation of borrowings and debt, to be accessible for future reference., and annually prepares and publishes a report of the County receipts and expenditures for the preceding fiscal year.  

 The Treasurer also acts as Chairman of the County Retirement Board.  

The County Treasurer is an elected official serving a six-year term.  

For more information, go to https://www.norfolkcounty.org/county-administration/treasurer

• MICHAEL G. BELLOTTI    Democrat   https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Government-Official/Mike-Bellotti-for-Norfolk-County-Treasurer-125523504157200/
• BRAD L. CROALL    Democrat  https://www.bradcroall.com/

There are no candidates for the Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow parties

COUNTY COMMISSIONER NORFOLK COUNTY

The Norfolk County Commissioners' Office is charged with implementing policy, budget and other decisions of the elected board of Commissioners. The office's duties include personnel, purchasing, management information systems, and general administration.   For more information, go to https://www.norfolkcounty.org/county-administration/commissioners-office

• JOSEPH P. SHEA    Democrat  https://www.facebook.com/SheaforNorfolk/
• DENNIS J. GUILFOYLE    Democrat  https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Political-Candidate/Dennis-Guilfoyle-for-Norfolk-County-Commissioner-109258227331366/
• CHARLES B. RYAN    Democrat  https://www.votecharlieryan.com/
• RICHARD R. STAITI    Democrat  http://www.votestaiticommissioner.com/

There are no candidates for the Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow parties

SHERIFF (VACANCY) NORFOLK COUNTY

The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office serves the citizens of Norfolk County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by enhancing public safety through the operation of a safe, secure, and humane correctional facility that establishes structure and accountability for offenders and focuses on re-entry programs and community based programs that promote crime prevention, citizen awareness, education, youth development, elderly assistance and law enforcement support.   

For more information, go to https://www.norfolksheriff.com/

• JAMES F. COUGHLIN    Democrat   https://coughlin2020.com/
• PATRICK W. McDERMOTT    Democrat  https://www.patrickmcdermott.org/
• WILLIAM J. PHELAN    Democrat  https://www.phelanforsheriff.com/
• JERRY P. McDERMOTT Republican  https://www.sheriffjerrymcdermott.com/

There are no candidates for the Libertarian or Green Rainbow parties

Other State Officials up for Election on Primary Ballot - Sep 1

Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on voting in the Primary Election

 Voting in primary elections is very important, yet voter turnout in primaries is usually low.  (Embarrassingly so:  in 2016 the Franklin primary turnout was only 4.1 % of the eligible voters.)  But even conscientious voters probably think, “The real show is the general election.  I’ll vote then.  I know who I like.  What’s the difference?”

One difference is that who you can vote for in the general election is not settled until the primary has occurred.  If the people you like have primary challengers, of course, they must defeat the challengers to get on the general ballot.  So they will need your help in both elections, not just the general.

And even if the ones you really like have no primary challengers, you may still be wise to vote in the primary.  Remember, your favorites will not be alone on the general ballot.  Many offices must be filled.  Say you are a straight-ticket, one-party voter.  You do not want to find yourself obliged to vote for people you dislike just because, on a thin plurality,  they squeaked by the primary that you skipped.

And since primary turnouts are low, a few votes can make an outsized difference.  Impact per voter is greatly magnified.  And naturally, the bigger the field, the more crucial every primary vote is.  There are nine contestants in the Fourth Congressional District, for example, for the one place for a Democratic candidate on the general ballot.  If voter support were divided equally among the nine and turnout were at 2016 levels, then each candidate would have about 97 supporters in Franklin.  In such a race, every primary vote really counts, and could decide who goes to Washington.

The primary is September 1.  You can vote in person, vote early, or apply by August 26 to vote by mail.

Colin Cass

146 Longhill Road

Franklin, MA 02038

If you have interest in "Voices of Franklin" please read the guidelines here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

"a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"President Donald Trump declared Thursday that he opposes additional funding for the U.S. Postal Service, acknowledging that his position would starve the agency of money Democrats say it needs to process an anticipated surge in mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump also claimed anew — falsely — that Democrats were pushing for universal mail-in voting and predicted without providing evidence that mail-in voting would lead to massive voter fraud in the November election. Polls indicate Trump is in for a tough reelection fight against Democrat Joe Biden.

The Republican president said on Fox Business Network that among the big sticking points for a new congressional virus relief package were the Democrats’ demands for billions of dollars to assist states in protecting the election and to help postal workers process mail-in ballots.

“They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,” Trump said on “Mornings with Maria,” adding, “If they don’t get those two items, that means you can’t have universal mail-in voting because they’re not equipped to have it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200813/trump-opposes-postal-money-that-would-help-vote-by-mail?rssfeed=true

Editorial note: There is a work around for this attack on our democratic process. Apply for a mail-in ballot, when it arrives, rather than mailing it back, use the drive through drop off box at the Municipal Building to deliver it safely to the Town Clerk. Of course, if you choose to vote in person either with 'early voting' or on September 1 for the Primary, and November 3 for the election, that is also good.

"a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights"

US House Candidates - September 1 Primary

US House Candidates

Our primary is September 1, but you can vote by mail now, take advantage of Early Voting beginning on August 22, or vote in person on September 1. You also have until August 22 to register to vote in this primary.

Remember – if you are enrolled in a party you MUST vote in that party’s primary, but if you are unenrolled you may choose which ballot you want.

Of particular note is the race to represent us in the US House of Representatives.  There are NINE candidates on the Democratic primary ballot and TWO on the Republican Ballot.  There are no Libertarian or Green Party candidates.

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - FOURTH DISTRICT

JAKE AUCHINCLOSS    Democrat  https://www.jakeforma.com/

DAVID FRANKLIN CAVELL    Democrat   https://www.davecavell.com/

BECKY GROSSMAN    Democrat   https://beckygrossman.com/

JULIE A. HALL    Republican  http://hallforcongress.com/

ALAN A. KHAZEI    Democrat  https://alankhazei.com/

IHSSANE LECKEY    Democrat  https://ihssane.org/

NATALIA LINOS    Democrat  https://www.nataliaforcongress.com/

JESSE R. MERMELL    Democrat  https://jessemermell.com/

DAVID ROSA    Republican  https://www.davidrosaforcongress.com/

BENJAMIN R. SIGEL    Democrat  https://bensigelforcongress.com/

CHRISTOPHER Z. ZANNETOS    Democrat  https://www.chriszforma.com/

 

 US House Candidates - September 1 Primary

US SENATE CANDIDATES - September 1 Primary

US SENATE CANDIDATES

Our primary is September 1, but you can vote by mail now, take advantage of Early Voting beginning on August 22, or vote in person on September 1. You also have until August 22 to register to vote in this primary.

There are many people running for federal and state offices this year, and the final candidates for the November general election will be decided by this primary.

To help cut through some of the confusion, I will try to post the candidates running for offices here, along with their web sites. My goal is to do this daily if I can; today I'm showing all the candidates for US Senate.

(listed in reverse alphabetical order, because.....no reason, just felt like it)

Candidates for US SENATOR

 KEVIN J. O'CONNOR Republican https://www.kocforsenate.com/about/

 EDWARD J. MARKEY Democrat https://www.markey.senate.gov/

 JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, III Democrat https://kennedyforma.com/

 SHIVA AYYADURAI Republican https://shiva4senate.com/

 

The are no Libertarian or Green Rainbow candidates for this position

 

US SENATE CANDIDATES - September 1 Primary

"Most historians just study the past. But Allan Lichtman has successfully predicted the future."

From the New York Times: "The best way to predict the future is to choose it" 

• If you are not registered to vote, please do so 
• If you want to vote by absentee ballot, please do so
• if you wan to vote by mail, please do so
• if you want to vote early, please do so
• If you want to vote on the day of, please do so

To register or choose one of the options for voting, please visit the Town Clerk's page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/opinion/2020-election-prediction-allan-lichtman.html

 

Senator Rausch: How to vote by mail!

Dear friends,

Did you know you can vote by mail, vote in person early, *or* head to the polls on Election Day in Massachusetts for both the 2020 primary AND general election? As a registered voter, you have all three options!

If you want to vote by mail, while I fought tooth and nail for universal, automatic vote by mail, unfortunately your mail-in ballot isn't automatically headed to you. There are a few steps you must take to ensure you get your mail-in ballots and your votes get counted in this critically important election year. You may have already received your 2020 vote-by-mail application in the mail.

I made a quick 2-minute explainer on how to successfully cast your ballot by mail for this year's elections. Take a look here:

https://www.facebook.com/beccarauschMA/videos/vb.291207158202406/1404952053028499/?type=2&theater (Video on Facebook or via link below)

I fought incredibly hard to bring vote by mail to our Commonwealth, and I'm deeply proud that voters won't have to choose between casting a ballot and staying safe during a global pandemic. In such uncertain times, it is crucial that we protect our democracy by preserving our constitutional right to vote.

You can also visit my new elections guide on my website to learn everything about your voting options for 2020, including mail-in ballots, registering to vote, key deadlines, and frequently asked questions about voting by mail in Massachusetts.

Stay cool and stay safe, everyone!


Yours in service,


Senator Becca Rausch

Senator Rausch: How to vote by mail!

You can also view the video on Senator Rausch's page
https://www.beccarauschma.com/2020-elections?fbclid=IwAR0JTftYnvScc5JtdMEOCSsKLxXb7w-TMR5mlb4rw-jc8N7NORS1GQ48RRQ

WGBH introduces "Internet Expert" on voting

#Election2020 is only 117 days away. And today, @wgbhnews launched Internet Expert, a fast, fun game show about America’s least trivial subject: our democracy. I’m very proud of this project . 

Take a look at Episode 1 here:

https://youtu.be/T6qW0XfS5L0



Franklin radar picked up via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lisawilliams/status/1281362249962184714?s=09

In the News: conference committee resolves difference on ballot bill; Big-E canceled

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The House and Senate are poised this week to approve compromise early voting and vote-by-mail legislation that should pave the way for a major expansion of options ahead of the 2020 election to encourage participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All six lawmakers appointed to find a compromise on the bill (H 4820) signed onto a report Monday, including Republicans Rep. Brad Hill and Sen. Ryan Fattman. Rep. John Lawn, the lead House negotiator on the bill, said he anticipates a vote of the full House on the final bill Tuesday while the Senate plans to take it up Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the Senate president’s office.

“Hopefully we’ll take this up tomorrow and then to the Senate and get it to the governor as soon as possible,” Lawn said.

The House and Senate versions of the bill instruct the secretary of state’s office to mail every voter an application to request a mail-in ballot for the primaries on Sept. 1 and the general election on Nov. 3. The goal, lawmakers have said, is to continue in-person voting but to allow voters cast their votes early if they wish or to avoid the polls altogether if they feel unsafe due to virus transmission risks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200629/voting-early-by-mail-nears-approval-by-house-senate

"Organizers announced Monday their decision to cancel the 2020 Big E Fair in the interest of safety.

The event was scheduled to be held from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Approximately 1.6 million people attend the annual event.

“The Big E Fair is so much more than just a fair, it is tradition, it is celebration, it is the showcase of everything we are so proud of in New England. This is why our hearts are heavy as we bring you this news,” a spokesperson wrote.

Organizers said staff spent months trying to figure out a way to save the event, but “realized that The Big E experience that everyone has come to know and love would not be the same.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200629/2020-big-e-canceled-because-of-coronavirus-outbreak

"this is common ground that we found and we think the right way to go"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Every registered voter in Massachusetts would receive an application by mid-July to request a ballot to vote by mail in the 2020 elections under a plan released Friday by House and Senate Democrats intended to create more options for voters to safely participate in the electoral process during the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposal for expanded voting-by-mail would be coupled with in-person early voting before both the primary and general elections in September and November, and traditional voting at a local polling station during both elections.

With the bill, state lawmakers are inserting themselves directly into a fiery national debate over the integrity of mail-in voting, with President Donald Trump at the center of the conflagration. Trump has suggested that mailboxes would be robbed and ballots would be forged or fraudulently signed as states moved to vote-by-mail, despite five states already using this system without trouble before the pandemic.

The co-chairs of the Election Laws Committee, Rep. John Lawn, D-Watertown, and Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, released a bill on Friday night, giving members of their committee 48 hours to review and vote on whether to recommend the bill to the full House and Senate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200530/lawmakers-offer-vast-expansion-of-voting-options

Quick summary:

• an application would be mailed to registered voters to choose ballot by mail
• early election time for both Sept primary and Nov election
• allow for only check in desk at poll to reduce poll worker staffing

voting booths and check in for Franklin voters at FHS

"there are so many details that go into planning an election"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Legislation outlining vote-by-mail procedures for the September and November elections in Massachusetts “absolutely cannot wait another month,” electoral reform advocates said Wednesday as they renewed their push for action on Beacon Hill.

Under normal circumstances, local departments need several months to prepare fully for major statewide elections, particularly in a presidential year. But with the COVID-19 pandemic upending most aspects of public life - and with voters broadly supporting mail-in ballots - reform advocates argued it is critical for lawmakers to quickly find consensus on the myriad proposals before them.

The Sept. 1 primary is less than 100 days away, and Secretary of State William Galvin wants to begin printing ballots as soon as June 2.

“Election officials need to prepare for the fall, and they need to do it as soon as possible,” said Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Pam Wilmot during a virtual press conference alongside about a dozen groups. “We’ll see what the Legislature decides, but time is absolutely of the essence and it needs to go now.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200523/vote-by-mail-forces-growing-anxious-about-timeline

"there are so many details that go into planning an election"

Franklin Residents: Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

• The Massachusetts Primary Election is on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Franklin High School, located at 218 Oak Street from 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• The Town Clerk's Office will be CLOSED on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

 
 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Franklin Residents: Voting Information from the Town Clerk's Office

Attention Franklin: Election Workers needed for March 3rd Primary.

Election Workers needed for March 3rd Primary.

The Town Clerk's office is seeking election workers for the March 3rd Primary at Franklin High School. 

Time slots available from 6 AM until 8 PM. $12/hour, must be 18+ years old and a registered voter.  

Contact the Town Clerk's office for more information at 508-520-4900.

Attention Franklin: Election Workers needed for March 3rd Primary.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/election-workers-needed-march-3rd-primary