Tuesday is Election Day

Early voting ends today; polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8; governor and attorney general races top ballot

  Saugus voters will get one last chance at in-person early voting today (Friday, Nov. 4) before next Tuesday’s state election. The second and final week of Early Voting for the Nov. 8 General Election concludes from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St.). Voters should enter via the Taylor Street Entrance.

  As of Wednesday, Town Clerk Ellen Schena said, 3,942 people had cast their ballots early, compared to 1,807 early voters in the 2018 state election. But four years ago, there were only five days for early voting in the Town Clerk’s Office. In-person early voting accounted for 524 ballots through Wednesday. With nine days of early voting, that averages out to 58 per day and 7.2 people per hour, according to Schena.

  “Most of the EVs are by mail because of the post cards the State sent out,” Schena told The Saugus Advocate this week.

  With just under 20,000 registered voters four years ago, the last State Election drew close to a 60 percent turnout in Saugus. With just under 21,000 voters registered for Tuesday’s election, the town clerk is expecting a similar turnout this year with the ballot featuring the top-elected positions in Massachusetts state government and four ballot questions.

  There’s not much at stake on the ballot locally, as state Rep. Donald H. Wong (R-Saugus) faces no competition for another two-year term in the Ninth Essex District and state Rep. Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere) – whose 16th Suffolk District includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus – will also win an uncontested election.

  No competition is the same story in two important Essex County races. Incumbent Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger faces no Republican candidate on the ballot as he seeks his second six-year term. Democratic candidate Paul F. Tucker also gets a free pass in his race to fill Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s seat. Blodgett decided not to seek another term after 20 years as the county’s DA.

  Governor’s Councillor Terrence W. Kennedy, a Democrat, also faces no competition in his reelection bid in the Sixth District.

  State Sen. Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) faces a little-known Independent candidate from Swampscott, Annalisa Sulustri, in his reelection bid.

  The most significant votes that Saugus residents will be taking next Tuesday will be statewide, with a new governor and a new attorney general to be elected. Democratic Candidate and Attorney General Maura Healey faces Republican Candidate Geoff Diehl in the race to succeed Charlie Baker as governor. If Healey wins, she will become the state’s first female elected governor. Diehl, a former state representative from Whitman, has received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

  Democratic candidate Andrea Joy Campbell can also make history if she beats Republican challenger James R. McMahon in the election for state attorney general. She would become the first black woman elected state attorney general.

Where To Vote

  Precinct – Polling Locations

  1 Saugus Middle High School Complex – 1 Pearce Memorial Dr.

  2 Veterans Early Learning Center – 39 Hurd Ave.

  3 Saugus Senior Center – 466 Central St.

  4 Belmonte STEAM Academy – 25 Dow St.

  5 Saugus Senior Center – 466 Central St.

  6 Veterans Early Learning Center – 39 Hurd Ave.

  7 Knights of Columbus – 57 Appleton St.

  8 Belmonte STEAM Academy – 25 Dow St.

  9 Saugus Middle/High School – 1 Pearce Memorial Dr.

  10 Italian American Club – 1 Beachview Ave.