With the Nov. 5 election just days away, Marblehead Town Clerk Robin Michaud and Police Chief Dennis King are gearing up for what is expected to be a robust voter turnout in a tense political climate.
“We’ve added extra staff during the day and evening — not because there’s a known, actionable threat but because there’s going to be high volume,” King told the Current.
King added, “We are also well aware that there are extremists. We are not naive to the rhetoric that goes on in terms of the national landscape.”
Michaud had not heard about any local threats.
“We always take extra precautions on election day,” she added, declining to go into detail.
Michaud hires poll workers for each voting location in town — the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center at 10 Humphrey St., the Old Town House in Market Square and Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St.
Poll workers help check in voters, distribute ballots, tally votes and assist people in the polling place. In Marblehead, they earn $55 for a half day, $110 for a full day.
Michaud said there’s been a surge in interest this year.
“We’ve had a huge amount of voters that want to work the polls this election,” she said.
Gratia Pelliciotti of Marblehead has been a poll worker for the last two years and is looking forward to helping voters on Nov. 5.
“I’ve been involved in politics in one form or another, volunteering, forever. I want to be as involved as I can,” she said.
There are typically five poll workers at each location during different shifts, according to Pelliciotti. She’s not concerned about working this election.
“I have no fear, no worry,” she said. “Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t sense that we’re as divided in Marblehead as in other parts of the country. There’s not the same kind of tension. People are usually grateful and thankful.”
The 150-foot law
Police will be enforcing the so-called 150-foot law, which prohibits “electioneering, signature-gathering and other specific political activities” within 150 feet of a polling place, according to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office.
Poll workers like Pelliciotti are different than poll watchers (known as “observers” in Massachusetts). Observers are allowed to monitor voting as long as they stay outside the so-called guardrail. While the guardrail isn’t always a physical barrier, locations inside the guardrail include the check-in and check-out tables, voting booths and ballot box.
Here is the latest voting information. For more details, contact Michaud at 781-631-0528.
Early voting
Early voting will continue on:
Wednesday, Oct. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5.
In-person ballot return deadline is 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Election Day voting
Tuesday, Nov. 5, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The ballot features several high-profile races:
U.S. presidential:
— Democratic: Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz
— Republican: Donald Trump and J.D. Vance
— Independent: Shiva Ayyadurai and Crystal Ellis
— Libertarian: Chase Oliver and Michael Ter Maat
— Green-Rainbow Party: Jill Stein and Butch Ware
— Socialism and Liberation: Esteban De La Cruz and Karina Garcia
U.S. Senate:
— Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren
— Republican challenger John Deaton
U.S. House (6th District):
— Democratic incumbent Seth Moulton (Salem)
State representative (8th Essex District):
— Democratic incumbent Jennifer Armini (Marblehead)
Other races include:
— Councillor (6th District): Democratic incumbent Terrence W. Kennedy (Lynnfield)
— State Senate (3rd Essex District): Democratic incumbent Brendan Peter Crighton (Lynn)
— Clerk of Courts (Essex County): Democratic incumbent Thomas H. Driscoll Jr. (Swampscott) faces challenges from unenrolled candidate Todd R. Angilly (Lynnfield) and independent Doris V. Rodriguez (Lawrence)
— Register of Deeds (Essex Southern District): Democratic candidate Eileen R. Duff (Gloucester) vs. Republican Jonathan Edward Ring (Rockport)
Voters will also decide on five statewide ballot questions:
1. Authorizing the state auditor to audit the Legislature
2. Eliminating MCAS testing as a high school graduation requirement
3. Permitting unionization of ride-share drivers
4. Legalizing certain psychedelic substances
5. Gradually increasing the minimum wage for tipped workers
Will Dowd contributed reporting to this article.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
