Left In Lowell

Aug. 30th: Deadline to register to vote in Primary

10 Responses to “Aug. 30th: Deadline to register to vote in Primary”

1. Silk Says:
   August 29th, 2006 at 5:06 pm

   Can you vote in the Democratic primary if you are Unenrolled? I know I am not registered as a Republican, but I am unsure if I am enrolled as a Democrat.

2. waittilnextyr Says:
   August 29th, 2006 at 5:30 pm

   From the election commission website:

   In a primary election, voters who are registered in a political party may only obtain a ballot for that party. If you are an unenrolled voter (commonly referred to as an independant voter), you may request the ballot of any party participating in the primary election. You will not become registered in a political party because of your participation in a state primary.

3. Eleanor Rigby Says:
   August 29th, 2006 at 7:47 pm

   So, are any of the Lowell/Dracut/Chelmsford/Tewksbury reps facing
   primary challengers?

4. Mike Says:
   August 29th, 2006 at 9:37 pm

   I look forward to participating and suggest all do as well. A vote for Tom Reilly is encouraged.

   Three weeks from gubernatorial vote, Reilly thankful to be tied
   By GLEN JOHNSON , Associated Press writer

   WOBURN — Tom Reilly was walking down Main Street yesterday, doing the spadework of any political campaign, when a man driving by in Subaru yelled out the window as the attorney general visited local businessmen.
   “Good luck,” the driver shouted. “Thank you,” said Reilly, before turning to someone walking with him.
   “I’ll tell you, it’s there. The regular people are starting to pay attention now. Up to now, it’s been the political insiders,” he said with a smile.
   Three weeks out from the gubernatorial primary, recent polls have shown Reilly in a virtual dead heat with his two rivals for the Democratic nomination, former Clinton administration official Deval Patrick and businessman Chris Gabrieli.
   Reilly and his campaign staff are positively ebullient about it.
   It’s a surprising emotion, considering that when the year began, Reilly was the prohibitive front-runner. He had more than $3 million in the bank, the support of major political and business leaders and statewide name recognition cultivated over 16 years in high-profile office.
   Then there was the double-whammy of selecting a running mate who had to quit after one day because of tax problems, and a dispute about whether he tried to squelch a possible drunken driving investigation following a fatal crash involving the daughters of a campaign donor.
   Reilly’s political standing plummeted, staff members privately accused him of trying to micromanage his campaign and Patrick — making his first run for elective office — won the gubernatorial nomination at the Democratic State Convention in June.
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   Against that backdrop, the definition of success changed.
   “If a poll came out last January with Reilly tied for first the reaction would have been that the race was over and he didn’t have a shot,” said Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic political consultant. “After the last eight months of missteps, most people are more surprised that Reilly is tied for first and he still has a shot.”
   Marsh added: “It is hard to imagine that Reilly could have made it any harder on himself, but he’s still in the hunt.”
   Asked why he was celebrating a polling tie when he once was the front-runner in the race, Reilly replied: “I never fell for that. Every single race I’ve ever been in, I’ve been the underdog at this point.”
   With summer ending and school beginning, diversions are lessening and the pace of the campaign is quickening. Reilly and his staff are doing everything they can to cultivate an impression of momentum.
   “The primary is a dead heat and voters believe Tom Reilly will be the next governor of Massachusetts,” wrote Sean Sinclair, Reilly’s campaign manager, in an e-mail to supporters that cited recent media polling and an internal campaign survey.
   Reilly himself cited his experience, including work in private law practice, eight years as Middlesex district attorney and eight years as attorney general, the state’s top law enforcement position.
   “Being governor is not a hobby; it’s not something you wake up and decide you want to do today,” Reilly said. “I think you have to prove yourself.”
   George Nyondwa, a Ugandan immigrant and naturalized citizen who owns the Mind Yo’ Shoe repair shop on Main Street, said he knew of Reilly before he stopped in but the attorney general has yet to win him over.
   “I listen for when someone says something that’s beneficial to me,” Nyondwa said. He said he’s listening for talk of tax relief and grants for development of small businesses such as his.
   “The fact that he comes in here, that lures my vote,” said Nyondwa.
   Frank DeStefano, the new owner of Bishop’s Restaurant, a staple on Main Street for 53 years, said he expects to vote for Reilly because of his reputation.
   “What’s more important than (TV) ads? Name recognition,” DeStefano said. “People, not all of them see ads. People, they’ll go into the voting booth with their walkers and look down the ballot and pick the name they know. The recognition of a name is very important.”

5. Eleanor Rigby Says:
   August 29th, 2006 at 10:22 pm

   “What’s more important than (TV) ads? Name recognition,” DeStefano said. “People, not all of them see ads. People, they’ll go into the voting booth with their walkers and look down the ballot and pick the name they know.

   Sad but very true.

6. Mimi Says:
   August 30th, 2006 at 10:08 am

   Eleanor:

   None of the 3 incumbent State Senators and 7 incumbent State Representatives who are elected from the Greater Lowell area (Lowell, Chelsmford, Tewksbury, Dracut, Tyngsboro) are challenged in this year’s primary.

   But it gets even better, only one of the 7 State Representatives, Tom Golden of the 16th Middlesex District has a Republican challenger, Matthew Lewis Prahl of Lowell. I do not think this man has received any press, even though some members of the media in Lowell are Republicans; and I wonder how much financial support the State Republican Party will give him.

   State Senator Susan Tucker has no opposition in the General Election but the Republicans do have challengers against State Senator Steve Panagiatakos and State Senator Susan Fargo. Senator Panagiatakos’ challenger is from Groton while Senator Fargo’s challenger is from Chelmsford. Again, both challengers are flying under the radar.

   So in effect, this year we will not have an election for local representatives, we will have an acclamation.

   As for the Governor’s race, the key is not only name recognition but getting your supporters to the voting booth. This is where the Patrick people will prevail.

   It might be difficult for Gabrielli supporter, Rep. Nangle and Reilley supporters, Reps. Murphy, and Golden, and Senator Panagiatakos to get their people to the polls on September 19th when they themselves are not challenged.

7. Fran McDougall Says:
   August 30th, 2006 at 7:33 pm

   See comments above in the Lynch piece.

8. Eleanor Rigby Says:
   August 30th, 2006 at 9:50 pm

   According to Tuesday’s Boston Globe, Sec of State Galvin is predicting a voter turnout on Sept 19th of less
   than 20% in the Democratic primary. So really, only the family, friends, supporters and people who “owe” the
   incumbants are likely to make up the bulk of that 20%.

   Something drastic has to happen to change that. On the national level it means only the radicals in both parties
   choose the candidates leaving moderates with a choice between the worse of two evils.

   So anyone have any idea on how to change the current errosion of democracy? Rolling back legislative pay to
   a token stipend like NH has to “encourage” lifetime lawmakers to move on is no longer possible since former Speaker Finneran was able to change the state constitution regarding legislative pay.

   The voter apathy is almost making the days of smoke filled back room deals during conventions to select candidates
   attractive!

9. Mr Lynne Says:
   August 31st, 2006 at 8:45 am

   Make voting day a holiday. That will go a long way.

10. Eleanor Rigby Says:
    August 31st, 2006 at 10:10 am

    Only if to get paid for the holiday you present some kind of proof that you voted, otherwise
    we’ll have Election Day car sales and kick off the Christmas buying season on Election Day
    but poll numbers won’t be dramatically effected.

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