Be Sure to Check out the Ballot Before Tomorrow's Primaries

Tuesday, Sep. 14, is Election Day across the state. And while Winchester doesn't have any town-specific primaries going on, there are still a number of interesting primary races taking place that should encourage voters to head out to the polls.

Democratic Party

Current State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) will only face competition from outside her party in Dave Carnevale (R-Medford), and the same goes for the state representative spot, currently held byJason Lewis (D-Winchester). He will have to hold onto to his seat by defeating George Georgountzos (R-Stoneham) and Michael Rotondi (I-Stoneham).

The state treasurer position between Steven Grossman (D-Newton) and Stephen Murphy (D-Boston) will be decided on Tuesday.

The state auditor position is also up for grabs. Suzanne Bump from Great Barrington and the former Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development is facing off against Guy William Glodis, present Sheriff and former State Senator from Auburn. Also in the race is Mike Lake of Boston.

The last position up for grabs for the democrats on Tuesday is the Councillor seat for the Sixth District. Suzanne English-Merullo of Winchester will be facing off against Terrence Kennedy of Lynnfield.  

Republicans

There is an important election for Republicans in Winchester as the winner between Gerry Dembrowski of Woburn and former Framingham Charter Commissioner, Thomas Tierney (R-Framingham) will face off in the November elections against incumbent Edward Markey (D-Malden).

The other primary race going on in the party is for state auditor. Mary Connaughton of Framingham will be facing off against Kamal Jain of Lowell.

Under Massachusetts primary rules, registered Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians must vote in the primary with their party's ballot. Unenrolled voters can choose to vote in either one of the three primaries.

"The unaffiliated or independent voter can vote in the democratic or republican primary," Lannon said. "You don't have to be enrolled in the party. In years past when you selected a primary to vote in you were automatically enrolled in that party and to get out you would have to go to the Town Clerk's office. This is more convenient to people and it's all about getting people out to the polls."

For more information, call Winchester Town Clerk and Acting Town Manager Mary Ellen Lannon at 781-721-7130