Register to vote (or change your party) by January 16

[ron_newman]

Massachusetts holds its presidential primary on Tuesday, February 5th. Unlike many previous years, this time our primary is early enough to really matter. Almost half of the states will be voting that day. Here is a list of candidates that will be on the ballot for each party (Democratic, Republican, and Green-Rainbow).

If you want to vote on February 5, you must be registered by next Wednesday, January 16 at 8 pm. This is also the deadline to change your party affliation. For instance, if you are now registered as a Republican and want to vote in the Democratic primary, you must change your affiliation to either Democrat or "unenrolled' by January 16. If you are registered as "unenrolled", you can vote in any (one) party's primary; doing so will not change your "unenrolled" status.

To register to vote in Somerville, go to the basement of Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Office hours are: today 8:30-4:30; Thursday 8:30-7:30; Friday 8:30-12:30; next Monday and Tuesday 8:30-4:30; next Wednesday 8:30-8.

To register to vote in Cambridge, go to 51 Inman Street (at Broadway - NOT City Hall). Office hours are: tonight and Thursday, 8:30-5; Friday 8:30-noon; next Monday 8:30-8; next Tuesday 8:30-5; next Wednesday 8:30-8.

You can also pick up a mail-in registration form at a library or post office. It must be postmarked by Wednesday, January 16 to count for this election.

As a moderator, I've told another member of this community that it's OK to post a poll here later today. Please confine all discussion of the primary to either this post or the upcoming poll post. Thanks.

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Hello Super Tuesday!

From the demographics, it looks like Obama's going to do well in Boston. I wonder how he'll play with the rest of the state...

[ruxxell.livejournal.com]

can you modify your post to put the address of somervilles city hall?

[ron_newman]

Done.

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

Hey, at least we get to cast a vote that should count for something this time around.

I voted for Al Sharpton in 2004 because I could (and because of the comedic factor in being able to say so); didn't Kerry win the Mass. primary by like a million and a half votes in 2004? Will definitely be a closer race this time around, and I like Obama on foreign policy issues better than Clinton.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I just dread getting Jimmy Carter all over again.

[ron_newman]

By the time the Mass. primary came around last time, the only remaining active candidates were Kerry and Edwards. I voted for Edwards then, just because I thought it was healthier to keep the campaigns going rather than close them down so early. On this one, I'm still undecided.

[hakamadare.livejournal.com]

in addition, if you would like to check your registration status (and you're a Somerville resident), call the election department at (617) 625-6600 ext. 4200. the nice lady was happy to confirm my registration and enrollment status over the phone.

-steve

[damsel-ophelia.livejournal.com]

Cambridge election department Phone: (617) 349-4361 - they were also nice enough to confirm my status.

Of note - if you have moved and changed your address with the registry on the website, this does not impact your voter registration. (oops)

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I'd think they'd want to know for future reference, though, especially for local elections.

[ron_newman]

january 16 is also the deadline for changing your residence. If you don't do this, you'll have to travel back to your old precinct to vote.

[damsel-ophelia.livejournal.com]

the registry, or the election folks? (please excuse the dumb, it's been a really bad morning!)

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

The election folks. They were awfully keen to know exactly where I was, every time I registered in a new area.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

That's why I registered at Porter Square a few months back, to spare myself some pain (I like democracy, but I'm not going to go to Waltham on my lunch break!)

[damsel-ophelia.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of surprised the info didn't follow, but since I moved to Central Sq. from Davis Sq. - I'm glad I called!

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I don't leave these things up to the efficiency of city government; they often put it off until the last minute.

[ron_newman]

The comment I tried to reply to was deleted, but I believe you can pick up a mail-in voter registration form at any Registry office, such as the one at Cambridgeside Galleria.

Unenrolled Status

[derekp.livejournal.com]

Are you sure that un-enrolled voters that vote in a particular primary will not have their party changed? I am now a registered democrat but was at one time un-enrolled. I remember having to request a card that said I wished to remain un-enrolled to sign before I left.

This was 4 years ago, I think. Are they no longer doing this?

Re: Unenrolled Status

[ron_newman]

I believe the law has changed. I verified this information by phone with both the Cambridge and Somerville election departments this morning.

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

FYI- Since this is on topic, you can also contact city hall if you'd like to work the day at the polls. I was there at the last big election and it was pretty cool. You get paid $125 bucks too which is great if your a student, but probably less enticing for the more heavily employed in the lot.

Re: dumb question

[ron_newman]

As long as you've registered in the past at your current address, and haven't gone for years without voting, you should be fine. If you stop voting for long enough, you go on an "inactive list", but I'm not sure what the criteria are for that.

Re: dumb question

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Also, if you failed to answer your census mailing, your voter registration will lapse.

[cowhockey.livejournal.com]

should i just mail it to city hall instead of boston? i want to make sure it gets processed, but i'm not sure i can get there because of my schedule

Re: Unenrolled Status

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Yes, the law has changed. Like Ron, I checked this with the folks at the Cambridge Election Commission; I also spoke with the Secretary of State's office.

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

Note the despicable Republican law/grab in Indiana to disenfranchise voters:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2qsv75

I've always been amazed that I can just walk into Dilboy, tell them my name and after they look it up I am permitted to vote. It is not like this for some of our citizens.

[ron_newman]

I don' t understand "city hall instead of boston".

[cowhockey.livejournal.com]

typo.. i meant somerville

[ron_newman]

I still don't understand your question, but if you live in Somerville, mail the registration form to the Election Department at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville 02143.

But you can also register in person after business hours. They are open tonight until 7:30, and next Wednesday until 8.

[cowhockey.livejournal.com]

The online thing generated an address in Boston.

[ron_newman]

If it's sending it to the Secretary of State's office, they'll forward it to the proper city or town. But better to just mail it to Somerville City Hall in the first place.

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reminder. I knew the deadline had to be soon, but I hadn't bothered to find out when, and I might have missed it, if not for this.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I'll be working at the fire station in Teele Square. No, it's not a ton of money, but I thought I was just volunteering, so, bonus! :)

[akahn.livejournal.com]

Any idea what form(s) of ID or proof of address one needs to register?

[ron_newman]

I think none, but if you don't have any when registering you need to bring it the first time you vote. Call your town election department to be sure.

[akahn.livejournal.com]

Nevermind, I just called my City Hall, they said you don't need any proof since you have to check a box that says you are committing perjury if you lie on the form.