UPDATED – LETTER: Watertown Resident Evaluates Ballot Questions

By Matt Lashof-Sullivan

Hey Watertown neighbors. Another election season is approaching and so it’s time for everyone to decide how they are going to vote this November. For many years I have sent out voting information and a list of endorsements for our local elections to my friends and immediate neighbors. This year, I decided to share them with a larger group, so I hope you find this helpful. How to Vote

To vote in person, go to your polling place on November 5th. 

We can all also vote by mail again, and you can still request a mail-in ballot until October 26th by using this form or otherwise by sending a letter to the city clerk.

Challenger Mara Dolan Wins Governor’s Council Race, See How Watertown Voted

Mara Dolan won the Democratic Governor’s Councilor District 3 race on Tuesday. Mara Dolan of Concord defeated longtime incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney of Watertown in Tuesday’s Democratic District 3 Governor’s Council race. With no challenger on the Republican side of the ballot for November’s General Election, Dolan appears headed to the Governor’s Council. The Council votes on the Governor’s nominations for judges and nominees for other boards, as well as voting on the Governor’s proposed pardons and commutations of prisoners. According to results compiled by the Associated Press (AP), Dolan received 52.5 percent of the vote.

Hear from the Hopefuls for Governor’s Council in Their Candidate Q&As

The candidates for District 3 Governor’s Council: Marilyn Petitto Devaney, left, and Mara Dolan. Democrats will have a contested race that includes a local candidate to vote on during the Sept. 3 State Primary, the District 3 Governor’s Councilor, or “Councilor” as it appears on the ballot. Watertown resident and incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney is challenged by Concord’s Mara Dolan, who lived in Watertown for a time. The same two candidates faced each other in 2022, and Petitto Devaney won after receiving nearly 51 percent of the votes.

Candidate Q&A: Marilyn Petitto Devaney

Marilyn Pettito Devaney seeks re-election to the Governor’s Council. Watertown News asked the candidates for District 3 Governor’s Councilor about their campaign and about themselves. Incumbent Marilyn Petitto Devaney provided the following responses:

Why did you decide to run (for reelection) for the District 3 Governor’s Council seat? I ran for Governor’s council after seeing my friend beg a judge on eight occasions to keep her abusive boyfriend in jail. The judge told her you have wasted my time and wasted the court’s time.

Candidate Q&A: Mara Dolan

Mara Dolan is running for Governor’s Councilor District 3. Watertown News asked the candidates for District 3 Governor’s Councilor about their campaign and about themselves. Challenger Mara Dolan provided the following responses:

Why did you decide to run (for reelection) for the District 3 Governor’s Council seat? If you care who our judges are, you need to care who your Governor’s Councillor is. The Governor’s Council confirms our judges, Parole Board members, and commutations and pardons.

Seven Days of Early In-Person Voting to be Held for State Primary

The Massachusetts State Primaries will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, and there will be one race involving a Watertown candidate on the ballot. Democrats will be choosing their candidate for Governor’s Councilor. The incumbent is Watertown’s Marilyn Petitto Devaney, and she is challenged by Mara Dolan of Concord. Republicans will be selecting their candidate for U.S. Senate.

Mail-In Ballots Will Start Arriving This Week

The following information was provide by the City of Watertown:

Check your mail for any requested ballots that are delivered, starting this week. Residents who have not returned their 2024 census have been mailed Confirmation Cards to be signed and returned as proof of residency. Please complete and return them promptly! If you have any questions, call the City Clerk’s Office at 617-972-6486 and they will assist you.