Around Town

LETTER: Reflection on the 2024 Presidential Election

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Dear Harris Supporters,

I write to you because you should be applauded. I also write to provide genuine analysis before the narrative is taken over by other entities, especially the media. I have crunched some of the numbers. Given top-line numbers, I can conclude that this was a vote against Biden’s foreign policy more so than a vote for Trump. Trump essentially got the same numbers of votes as he did in 2020 (it is a +0.1% change). Harris, at approximately 70 million votes, did not beat him or Biden’s numbers of 81 million votes. One held onto the base and the other did not. Trump’s base appears to be younger with some increase in POCs. It is still less female and less educated. Harris’ appears to have held onto the crossover votes of moderates and Republicans, who this time are more ideologically conservative and older. These mere shifts may not matter much since it is just a reshuffling as more people enter the registration pool.

Government

See How Watertown Voted for President, Senate & on Ballot Questions in 2024

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Charlie Breitrose

Watertown voters came out to vote in large numbers, both on election day and during the early voting and mail-in period. Two-thirds of Watertown’s 26,418 voters cast their ballots in the 2024 State Election, according to the unofficial Watertown Election results sent out by the Watertown City Clerk’s Office. Nearly 60 percent of the 17,542 votes in the election were cast during the early voting period or sent in mail-in ballots, said City Clerk Noelle Gilligan. About 200 to 300 people voted each of the day during the 14 day early voting period. A total of 3,250 residents came to City Hall to vote during the early voting period, Gilligan said, while 7,203 mail-in ballots were sent in.

Around Town

VOTER GUIDE: Votes for President, Senate & 5 Ballot Measures on Tuesday’s Ballot

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Watertown voters have plenty to races and ballot measures on which they can cast their votes during Tuesday’s State Election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. See polling locations at the bottom of the story

The Presidential race has been on the top of many voters’ lists and there are not just two, but six choices, listed with their parties below in the order on the ballot. AYYADURAI and ELLIS (Independent)DE LA CRUZ and GARCIA (Socialism and Liberation)HARRIS and WALZ (Democratic)OLIVER and TER MAAT (Libertarian)STEIN and CABALLE (Green-Rainbow Party)TRUMP and VANCE (Republican)

There is also a contested race for U.S. Senator – Elizabeth Warren (Democratic) and John Deaton (Republican). Races for Congress, State Senator, State Representative, Governor’s Councilor (listed as Councillor), and Middlesex Clerk of Courts are uncontested. There is a contested race for Middlesex Southern District Register of Deeds, between Maria Curtatone (Democratic) and William “Billy” Tauro (Republican).

Around Town

Watertown Restaurants Concerned About Impact of Question 5

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A Vote No on Question 5 T-shirt worn by an employee at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (Contributed Photo)

Local restaurants have spoken out against Question 5 on the State Election ballot, saying that if the ballot measure passes servers and bartenders would make less money, and diners would see higher prices to cover the $15 per hour wages. Employees at Donohue’s Bar & Grill have been wearing T-shirts saying “Protect Tipped Workers: Vote No on Question 5.” Branch Line sent out a letter to customers urging them to vote no on the ballot measure entitled “Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.” The Watertown Business Coalition and the Charles River Regional Chamber also announced they support voting No on 5. Passage of the ballot measure has been endorsed by Progressive Massachusetts and Progressive Watertown.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Who Benefited from Psychedelic Medicines Supports Question 4

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Dear Editor,

I am a grandmother and a retired elementary school teacher, and I have twice benefitted from taking psychedelic plant medicines. That is why I’m voting Yes on Question #4. 

I don’t fit the stereotype, but I was desperate for help. I have a life second to none, but it unfortunately includes dealing with a serious health issue as well as PTSD. Therapy and anti-depressants have been essential tools, but they aren’t a quick fix and don’t work well for all. Research at Johns Hopkins, Mass General, Dana Farber, and many others gave me the courage to try the unusual treatment.

Government

Early Voting for the 2024 Election Begins on Saturday

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Registered Watertown voters can cast their ballot early on 14 days leading up to the November election. See the details provided by the Watertown City Clerk’s office. The State Election is Tuesday November 5, 2024 from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. In Person Early Voting will be held at City Hall, located at 149 Main Street, in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor, on the following dates and hours:

Saturday, October 19, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 20, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 21, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 23, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 24, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, October 25, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Saturday, October 26, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 27, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 28, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 29, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 30, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 31, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, November 1, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Read more about voting by clicking here.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Strongly Endorses Yes on Question 4

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Hi Massachusetts Voters,

As I have said in a comment, I will be voting yes on all the ballot questions.  (Watertown specimen ballots for the general election on Tuesday, November 3rd, can be found here at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/295/Specimen-Ballots). At the root of many of the ballot questions is economic fairness. However, I feel most completed to write about Question 4. “This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocin) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine).” I feel compelled because this is about how we care for those who have no other options.

Around Town

LETTER: Progressive Watertown Endorses 2 Ballot Questions

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The following piece was submitted by Progressive Watertown:

There are the five state-wide ballot questions on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Question 1: Determining State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature

Question 2: Eliminating the use of the MCAS as a Graduation Requirement

Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers (Uber and Lyft)

Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances (such as Psilocybin)

Question #5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers. Progressive Mass has endorsed all five ballot questions. Progressive Watertown, a chapter, has reviewed and endorsed Questions 2 and 5. Progressive Watertown did not review the other questions. 

Yes on 2 supports the elimination of the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. It does not end the use of MCAS for evaluative purposes. Massachusetts is one of only 11 states still including a test as a high school graduation requirement.