government

By Barbara Slayter

Nine leaders from five organizations spoke to an audience of several dozen residents at a Lincoln Democratic Committee rally on September 19. The event aimed to build grassroots enthusiasm for efforts to get out the vote for Democratic candidates in the November 6 midterm election.

Quentin Palfrey, a candidate for lieutenant governor and former Obama administration staffer, made the case for supporting the Democratic candidates at the top of the Massachusetts ticket based on issues included environment, health care, education, jobs for the middle class, the economy, and the justice system.

Democratic Coordinated Campaign members Diana Goswami, Maureen Kelledy, Jess Lieberman, and Kelsey Perkins talked about field management jurisdictions, volunteer options, and various new technology “assists” including VoteBuilder and Minivan.

Sarah Higginbotham, Election Team organizer for Minuteman Indivisible (MI), part of a network intended to promote a vigorous democratic process, told the audience about the Minuteman Muster, an MI newsletter that offers information about various progressive political events in the Metro West area. She identified the five out-of-state Congressional candidates that MI is supporting and invited those present to join in various aspects of the campaign including fundraising, phone banking, and writing postcards in support of their candidacies.

Susan Labandibar, regional coordinator for Swing Left, and Tom Hallock, co-chair of Force Multiplier, identified “flippable” Congressional seats—those seen as toss-ups between Republican and Democratic candidates and where efforts to reach local voters could make a significant difference.

Michelle Olson, Co-founder and CEO of Elect435, noted that her organization offers a single source for identifying, researching, and supporting candidates for Congressional candidates who reflect progressive values and priorities.

From the floor, Joan Kimball, Lincoln coordinator for Grandmothers for a Brighter Future, provided information about how to get involved with postcard writing by Lincoln women (and a few men) in support of three Senatorial candidates—Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada. Grandmothers for a Brighter Future, cofounded by Margot Lindsay, a former Lincoln resident, is a national organization with members in 46 states and the district of Columbia. 

Lincoln resident Mike O’Brien offered suggestions and avenues for encouraging Lincoln’s progressive writers, and Gabriella Muscolo identified her work with registering new citizens through the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Other Lincolnites raised important questions on the utility of phone banks, ways to strengthen voter turnout, and out-of-state candidates deserving the support of Lincoln residents.

For additional information, contact Gary Davis at garyddavis04@gmail.com or Barbara Slayter at bslayter@comcast.net. 

For those wishing to cast absentee ballots in advance of the September 4 state primary election, the Town Clerk’s office will be open from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 30 and 31. Voters can come to the office and vote in person by absentee ballot if they expect to be out of town during normal polling hours on September 4, or due to physical disability or religious belief.

Voters must submit written requests for absentee ballots. All ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4. For more information, call 781-259-2607.

To be able to vote in the Massachusetts  state primary on Tuesday, Sept. 4, residents must be registered to vote by Wednesday, Aug. 15. Click here to register online, or register in person at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular summer business hours (Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Absentee ballots for the September 4 primary are now available. A written request is required before receiving the ballot. The ballot may be voted at the Town Clerk’s Office, or the applicant may request that a ballot be mailed.

Massachusetts law does not permit persons to pick up ballots for another person, although it does permit certain family members to apply for an absentee ballot on behalf of another family member. The Town Clerk’s elections page has more information as well as specimen ballots and the Massachusetts ballot questions for the November election. You may also call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-259-2607.