Marblehead officials are in a pinch to find poll workers for Tuesday’s special election on multifamily zoning, according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
“We need eight to 10 people to volunteer,” said Kezer, noting the town faces staffing challenges for the referendum that will decide whether to uphold or overturn Article 23, which creates multifamily overlay districts required under state law.
Residents interested in volunteering as poll workers can contact Town Clerk Robin Michaud at 781- 631-0528, clerk@marblehead.org or visit the Town Clerk’s Office at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St.
The special election follows two days of early voting this week at Abbot Hall that drew steady crowds.
“It was pretty steady,” said Kezer. “More than once, I saw the line going out the door.”
Michaud did not immediately respond to requests for early voting statistics.
Polls will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters in precincts 1 and 2 will cast ballots at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., while voters in precincts 3, 4, 5 and 6 will vote at Marblehead High School field house, 2 Humphrey St. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precinct location.
The referendum centers on zoning changes that could allow up to 600 additional housing units in three areas of town to comply with MBTA Act requirements.
To overturn Town Meeting’s May 6 approval of Article 23, the “no” side needs at least 3,347 votes — representing 20% of the town’s 16,732 registered voters as of June 30 — and must constitute a majority of votes cast. If turnout falls below 3,347 voters, the repeal effort automatically fails. If turnout exceeds 6,693 voters (40%), the “no” side can win by securing just over half the votes.
In scenarios with mid-range turnout, the mathematics prove challenging for opponents. At 25% turnout (4,183 voters), “no” voters would need about 3,347 votes or 80% of ballots cast, while 30% turnout (5,020 voters) would require about 3,347 votes or 67% and 35% turnout (5,856 voters) would need 3,347 votes or just over 57%.
