Nearly half of Marblehead’s registered voters had already cast their ballots before polls opened Tuesday morning, setting the stage for what could be a record-breaking turnout in town.
Town Clerk Robin Michaud told the Marblehead Current that 7,672 votes were cast during the early voting period and through mail-in ballots, representing 45.45% of the town’s 17,099 registered voters. This pre-Election Day total includes 2,976 in-person early voters and 4,696 returned mail-in ballots.
The strong pre-Election Day turnout suggests Marblehead could surpass its 2020 participation levels, when the town recorded 86.7% total voter turnout with 14,343 votes cast. That itself was an increase from 2016’s 83.2% turnout.
The current registered voter total of 17,099 represents a continued expansion of the voter rolls, up from 16,539 in 2020 and 15,808 in 2016.
Polls remain open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Stay with the Current for local results and reaction. Residents can check their voter registration status and where they can vote HERE.
Here’s a photo gallery from polling places this morning. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
The ballot features several high-profile races.
Presidential race:
— 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
