Politics - Marblehead Current

09 Jun

Marblehead polls close at 8 p.m.; With a few hours to go about 33% of voters had shown up

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

At about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, approximately 5,700 Marblehead residents had cast votes in today's election that will decide an historic, three-tiered property tax override, as well as races for School Committee, Select Board and more. Compare that to the total turnout in last year's municipal election — 6,621. In other words, with three hours left to vote, Marblehead had already approached the total turnout seen in the entire 2025 election. The Current checked with wardens in each district, tallying the number of votes so far…

04 Jun

Early in-person voting ends with long lines; Election Day is Tuesday

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

As Marblehead decides a historic, tiered override that would hike taxes permanently, voters took advantage of three days of in-person, early voting at Abbot Hall. The line stretched through the building on just before the polls (inside the Town Clerk's Office) closed. Up next: Election Day on June 9, when residents may cast their votes 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at either Abbot Hall or the high school field house, depending on what precinct they live in. You can find your precinct at WhereDoIVoteMA.com. Voters stand in…

30 May

BREAKING NEWS: Marblehead native Moulton secures ballot spot in Senate race

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories

WORCESTER, MA — Congressman Seth Moulton, a Marblehead native who recently bought a house in town, officially secured his spot on the September primary ballot for the United States Senate, successfully clearing the state party’s 15% threshold at the 2026 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention at the DCU Center in Worcester. Moulton earned 27% of the delegate vote. Congressman Seth Moulton, a Marblehead native, will be on the September primary ballot challenging Sen. Ed Markey. COURTESY PHOTO "At the beginning of this race, the ‘party insider’…

28 May

Marblehead’s Modica takes center stage at pro-housing rally on Beacon Hill

Akanksha GoyalPolitics, Top Stories

Under the sweltering sun outside the State House May 27, a large crowd of pro-housing advocates gathered on the front steps of Beacon Hill to urge lawmakers to pass zoning reforms aimed at accelerating housing production across the state. But even at a rally centered on a statewide housing crisis, Marblehead repeatedly found itself at the center of the conversation. And one resident, in particular, had become something of a celebrity. David Modica, whose remarks at Town Meeting in May went viral online, drew some…

27 May

Overrides, trust and town’s path forward debated at candidates forum

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

As the town faces four general override questions that would permanently increase property taxes, candidates for multiple boards and committees made their pitches at the Marblehead League of Women Voters candidates forum Tuesday night. The election is June 9. About 100 people crowded into the high school library to listen to candidates for Select Board, School Committee, Recreation & Parks Commission, Cemetery Commission, Housing Authority and town moderator. Select Board Incumbent Erin Noonan defended her role in crafting the town’s tiered override proposal (for $9…

26 May

League of Women Voters to host Candidates Night

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Yhe League of Women Voters will host its Candidates Night on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. in the high school library. Residents may arrive at 6:30 p.m. to meet and speak with candidates. Elizabeth Foster-Nolan, president of the Massachusetts League of Women Voters, will moderate. The forum will feature candidates in the following races: Select Board:Incumbent Erin Noonan and challengers Rossana Ferrante and Jenn Schaeffner are vying for two seats. School Committee:Incumbent Melissa Clucas and challengers Sarah Fox and Ann-Marie Jordan are vying for…

21 May

In-person early voting approved for June 9 override, election

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

On Thursday, the Select Board approved three days of in-person, early voting leading up to the town's June 9 election, when voters will decide four override questions as well as races for Select Board, School Committee and more. In-person, early voting will be available at Abbot Hall the following days/times: — Tuesday, June 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.— Wednesday, June 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.— Thursday, June 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Board of Registrars voted unanimously to recommend in-person, early voting. Town…

08 May

Campaign donations, Trump and ‘illegal wars’ among hot topics at 6th District forum

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories

Democratic candidates seeking to succeed Seth Moulton in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District discussed a wide range of issues at a tri-town forum in Swampscott on Thursday evening, sponsored by the Marblehead, Swampscott and Nahant Democratic committees. The six Democratic candidates are software engineer Beth Andres-Black of Middleton, business owner John Beccia of Lynnfield, former White House aide Dan Koh of Andover, Salem veterinarian Dr. Mariah Lancaster, state Rep. Tram Nguyen of Andover and former state Rep. Jamie Zahlaway Belsito of Topsfield. The candidates voiced similar…

07 May

Pulitzer-winning journalist David Shribman speaks on hate, democracy and the media

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Religion, Top Stories

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Shribman delivered a sweeping and deeply personal talk Wednesday night in Marblehead about antisemitism, political polarization, journalism and the enduring importance of community alliances in confronting hatred. Shribman grew up in Swampscott and has family in Marblehead. Speaking before about 130 people at the high school, alongside Marblehead Rabbi David Meyer, Shribman reflected at length on the 2018 massacre at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, where 11 worshippers were killed in what he called “the most serious antisemitic episode in American…

06 May

Three experienced candidates vie for two Select Board seats

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

This article is the latest in a Current series profiling races in the town’s June 9 election. Read more at MarbleheadCurrent.org. Voters will choose among three candidates for two open seats on the Select Board in the June 9 town election, with each contender pointing to experience and differing priorities as Marblehead faces ongoing financial and governance challenges. Incumbent Erin Noonan is running for another term, with challenges from Rossana Ferrante and Jenn Schaeffner. The Current caught up with three candidates to preview the race.…