There was a long line of traffic pulling out of the Marblehead High School parking lot at around 3 p.m., as people voted in a special election on 3A and the MBTA Communities Act. The state law requires Marblehead and 177 other cities and towns to zone for more multifamily housing.
Marblehead Town Meeting in May approved 3A by a wide margin (951-759). Attorneys Yael Magen and John DiPiano, both of Marblehead, subsequently filed a successful petition under Marblehead’s 1954 Special Act, triggering the first referendum in the law’s 71-year history.
To overturn Town Meeting’s approval, the “no” side needs an estimated 3,335 votes — representing 20% of all registered voters — and must constitute a majority of votes cast. If turnout is below 20%, the repeal effort automatically fails. If turnout exceeds 40%, the “no” side can win by securing just over half the votes.
In scenarios with mid-range turnout, the math is challenging: at 25% turnout, “no” voters would need about 80% of votes; at 30%, about 67%; and at 35%, just over 57%.
By comparison, only 769 people voted “no” at Town Meeting — meaning the “no” campaign would need to turn out more than four times as many votes in this special election.
The overlay districts would cover portions of Pleasant Street, areas along Broughton Road and sections of Tioga Way. Combined, these zones could permit development of up to 600 additional housing units to meet state requirements.
The ballot question asks: “Shall the town vote to approve Article 23, establishing zoning overlay districts pursuant to the MBTA Communities Act?”
In scenarios with mid-range turnout, the math is challenging: at 25% turnout, “no” voters would need about 80% of votes; at 30%, about 67%; and at 35%, just over 57%.
By comparison, only 769 people voted “no” at Town Meeting — meaning the “no” campaign would need to turn out more than four times as many votes in this special election.
Read more about 3A HERE.
The Current’s Will Dowd contributed to this report.
