Watch Out for Poll Changes for Presidential Primary

| February 8, 2012 | City Hall, Election 2012, Political Scene | No Comments

Census, Redistricting Result in Poll Changes in Medford

February 15 Last Day to Register for MA Primary

– Allison Goldsberry

Medford voters should double-check their poll locations before heading out to vote in the March 6 presidential primary (a.k.a. “Super Tuesday,” the day several states hold presidential primaries).

The Census and redistricting have led to some changes. Ward 4, Precinct 2 is now located at Fondacaro Center, Walkling Court, Auburn and North Streets. 6-2 voters will now report to the Brooks Elementary School, 388 High Street. 6-1 voters will now cast ballots at the West Medford Fire station on Harvard Street.

City Clerk Ed Finn said postcards will be going out to voters whose polls have changed and who might now be in a new ward and precinct.

All of the changes statewide have yet to be incorporated even on the state’s helpful voting website, http://www.wheredoivotema.com, which allows voters to plug in an address to see poll locations and candidate information.

According to Secretary of State William Galvin, February 15 is the last day to register to vote and also to switch party affiliations to be eligible to vote in the March 6 presidential primary.

In Massachusetts, unlike many other states, independents (or voters not enrolled in a party) can participate in the primary election. Choosing a particular ballot no longer will automatically enroll a voter in that party.

For more information on the poll changes or on how to register to vote in Medford (it’s quick and easy), visit the Registrar of Voters webpage or call 781-393-2491.

Former MA governor Mitt Romney, running for the Republican presidential nomination for the second time, continues to lead his GOP opponents.

In the 2008 presidential primary, about half of Medford’s registered voters came out to the polls. Democratic Medford voters favored Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama by an almost 2-to-1 margin at the time while Republican voters favored Romney over John McCain.

In the 2008 presidential election, a record number of voters turned out in Medford- 78%- to participate. Medford voters overwhelmingly favored Obama over Republican presidential nominee McCain.