The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, Sept. 4, state primary is 5 p.m.today, according to the secretary of the state’s office.
Absentee ballot applications are typically due at noon on the day before an election, but because of this year’s timing of elections the day after the Labor Day holiday, that deadline falls to 5 p.m. on the last business day before the election.
Voters who expect to be out of town on Tuesday may arrange with their city or town clerk or elections commission to vote at their city or town hall up until 5 p.m. today, according to the secretary of state, although anyone wishing to vote in person should call ahead to arrange a convenient time with their local election office, as office hours may vary.
All absentee ballots must be returned to city or town hall by 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Ballots may be voted in the office, returned by mail or hand-delivered by the voter or a member of the voter’s family.
Jo Comerford, who is running as a write-in candidate for state senator, has been endorsed by Bob Pura, former president of Greenfield Community College.
“Jo Comerford is smart, strong, passionate and compassionate about the well-being of the hard working people and the communities we live in,” Pura said. “She cares deeply about public education from early childhood to higher education, as well as those who are into the retirement chapters of life. I also know she is willing to fight for the infrastructure we need out here. She thinks strategically with sustainability as a goal. And Jo is a nice person on top of all that. She is the right person at the right time to take a seat at the table in Boston advocating and representing the interests of our community.”
Comerford is running for the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester Senate district seat that was held by Stan Rosenberg. She faces Ryan O’Donnell, Chelsea Kline and Steven Connor in the Democratic Party primary Tuesday.
Natalie Blais, a candidate for 1st Franklin District state House seat in the Sept. 4 Democratic primary, has received the endorsement of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters Local 336.
“Natalie has a proven record of advocating for policies that support working families,” said Local 336 spokesman Tim Craw. “Her efforts behind the scenes for two of the most progressive members of Congress and her focus on workplace safety and fairness earned our support. We are confident that as state representative, Natalie will be a strong ally and a faithful advocate for working people.”
“Natalie grew up in a family that understood that value of a hard earned dollar. Her positions on health care, education, transportation and infrastructure have impressed us in their breadth and depth. We strongly endorse her candidacy and encourage our members to vote for her,” he said.
In receiving the endorsement, Blais said, “All workers deserve fair wages, strong benefits and safe working conditions. As state representative, I will fight every day for the working people of the 1st Franklin District.”
Casey Pease, 1st Franklin District state representative candidate, picked up a couple of endorsements this week. He has been endorsed by Worthington Selectboard members Charley Rose and Steve Smith, UAW (United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) Region 9A and Our Revolution UMass Amherst.
“I’ve known Casey for several years and watched him take an active role in a wide range of town activities, from membership in the Volunteer Fire Department, to working at Liston’s Bar & Grill, to taking the reigns of our Democratic Party. He’s a very ambitious young man and an incredibly hard worker,” Rose said.
In his endorsement letter, Smith wrote, “He has a strong progressive perspective, is a good listener, and a strong desire to serve. He is a worthy successor to Steve Kulik.”
“UAW Region 9A represents approximately 11,000 active and retired members and their families in Massachusetts. We are proud to endorse Casey Pease for state representative in the 1st Franklin District” said UAW Region 9A Director Beverley Brakeman. “He is a strong candidate who will advocate for workers’ rights. We look forward to working with Casey on the many issues facing working families.”
“This campaign season has shown that if we come together behind bold progressive fighters, we can win. Casey Pease has shown himself to be one of those fighters” read the Our Revolution UMass Amherst statement. “We have a candidate who has dedicated himself to the fight for a stronger and more prosperous Massachusetts.”
The Massachuetts League of Women Voters has posted an online Voters’ Guide for the Tuesday, Sept. 4, primary, at: www.InformedVoterMA.org
After the primary, the guide will be updated for the Nov. 6 general election.
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