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Elections

The VOTES Act with State Senator Creem

Given the national focus on voting rights and suppression and our mission — Empowering voters. Defending democracy — the League thought it was important to provide more information on legislation put forward by State Senator Cindy Creem and State Representative John Lawn.  Therefore, we invited Senator Creem to join The League Presents to tell us about An Act Fostering Voting Opportunities, Trust, Equity, and Security, or The VOTES Act.  It is supported by the LWVMA, which notes that the Election Modernization Coalition has called it “the most comprehensive next step for Massachusetts elections.” The legislation includes the following components:

  • Mail-in Voting

    State Senator Creem
  • Early Voting
  • Same Day Registration
  • Jail-based Voting Reforms
  • Risk Limiting Audits – the Gold Standard
  • Automatic Voter Registration

It is important to note that we also talked about the fact that others are in the process of putting forward legislation that would restrict voter access.  We all need to become educated and active relative to the passing of this important legislation.  To learn more please view this episode of The League Presents: The VOTES Act with State Senator Creem.

Don’t Just Stand There…Run in 2021 Campaign Workshop

Thinking of adding your name to the November ballot or helping on a campaign?

The League of Women Voters of Newton invites candidates, potential candidates, campaign managers, campaign treasurers, and all interested citizens to a virtual workshop on running for office.

LWVN President Marcia Johnson will moderate a panel of guests who will offer practical information and advice on issues like filing official paperwork, creating effective campaign communications, and understanding the demands of public office.  Our panelists will include…

  • David Olson, former Newton City Clerk
  • Greg Reibman, President of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber, and former editor with the TAB, Boston Herald and PBS World Channel
  • Ted Hess-Mahan, former Newton City Councilor
  • Bridget Ray-Canada, School Committee member

Register now to receive the event Zoom link… https://Bit.ly/LWVN_RUN

Share your questions for our panelists in advance or contact us with questions about the event at info@lwvnewton.org.

Newton Special Election – Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Recently, two seats on Newton City’s Council became vacant due to the untimely death of City Councilor Allan “Jay” Ciccone, Jr. and the election of City Councilor Jake Auchincloss as U.S. Representative to Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District.  A special election will be held to fill these seats:

  • City Council – Ward 1 At-Large
  • City Council – Ward 2 At-Large

Date of Special Election

The election will take place on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.   Read more below for information about the candidates, to date, who have announced their decision to run and on how to plan your vote.

Read more →

Questions for Upcoming Candidate Forum: Please Submit by February 15, 2021

Candidate ForumOn Monday, February 15, LWVN together with NewTV will be taping Candidate Forums for the candidates in the March 16, 2021 Special Election.  We need questions to ask the candidates.

Send us questions YOU would like to ask the candidates for the vacant Ward 1 and Ward 2 At-Large City Council seats.  We can’t guarantee they will be used verbatim, but we will try to address as many topics and questions as possible.  We especially appreciate questions that are direct and about 1-2 sentences long–these tend to mean more direct and focused answers. Please submit your questions before 4:00 pm on Monday, February 15 to LWVN and use the subject line “Questions for Candidates in 2021 Special Election”.

Our forums will be taped by NewTV, to be shown on NewTV at a later date and available online.  Check our website for viewing information!

Count the Vote

Democracy is worth waiting for!

An unprecedented number of voters participated in these elections.  Every eligible voter should have their voice heard and their vote counted. When we take the time to count and verify every ballot, it’s a sign that our democracy is working.

 

Quarantined or Hospitalized? You can still vote!

Emergency Absentee Ballots

If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility or you are instructed to quarantine in your home within 1 week of the election, you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone of your choice to deliver a ballot to you.

The person you designate to deliver your ballot will need to bring the signed application to your local election office, pick up your absentee ballot, bring it to you, and return it for you by the close of polls on Election Day. Emergency ballots may be requested up until the close of polls.

The absentee ballot application is here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm.