2024 Presidential Primary Information: Ballots Have Other Races, See Where to Vote

Watertown voters can cast their votes in the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 5, but the ballot includes some local officials, too. The Presidential Primaries are Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To confirm your precinct location, please go to the Secretary of State’s Where Do I Vote webpage. Presidential Candidates

Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian voters have multiple candidates to choose from for the Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Unenrolled voters can choose which party’s ballot to cast their votes.

LETTER: Candidates for GOP State Committee Endorsed by Former State Committeeman

Dear Republican Voter:

March 5, 2024 is a very important day for the future of the Republican party in Massachusetts. That is the day the Republicans will vote fo r their candidate for President. But almost as important, it is the day that they will also vote for their Representatives on the Massachusetts Republican State Committee. As you may recall I was honored to serve in that position from 2012 until 2021, when I left to move with my family to Virginia. However, I still care deeply about the district and the Republican Party in MA.

LETTER: Vote on Tuesday, March 5 – Participate in Democracy

Every four years, this year on Tuesday, March 5th, United States citizens will exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice in the Presidential Primary Elections.Take the initiative to make a difference by casting your ballot; whether by mail; early voting process; or in person. On the Democratic ballot, the electorate will also vote their preference for the offices of Democratic State Committee Man and Woman. A slate of 35 candidates, also needs your support to serve on the Democratic Town Committee. Either vote for individuals, or the entire group.The Town Committee works to promote the objectives of the Democratic Party. 

To the surprise of many; names come and go from the roster of candidates, listed on the ballot for the Democratic Town Committee. To note: quasi term-limits do exist in some elected positions.

LETTER: State Committeewoman Endorses Candidates for State GOP Committee

To the Republican voters of Belmont, Watertown, Alston, Back Bay, Brighton, and (now) Cambridge Wards….. Since 2016, has been my honor to serve the people of the Second Suffolk-Middlesex senate district as the Massachusetts Republican State Committeewoman. For most of these years, I served alongside Steve Aylward, designer and successful promoter of “Tank the Automatic Gas Tax” campaign. In 2018, I served as the state chair of the “NO on 3!” ballot question to repeal what we called the “Bathroom and Locker Room Law.”  Our campaign was never about discrimination but always about protecting women and children in public accommodations. Two years ago, John Umina was selected by the local Republican town and city committees to fill out Steve Aylward’s unexpired term. It’s my pleasure to endorse John Umina and his wife, Cathy, as candidates for the Republican State Committee. I have volunteered alongside the Uminas in numerous campaigns.

LETTER: Endorsements for Republican State Committee Members

On March 5th Massachusetts Republicans and unenrolled voters will be choosing whom they think ought to be the GOP Nominee for President of the United States. Just as important, we will be choosing who represents us on the Republican State Committee.  The State Committee is a board of 80 members, 40 men and 40 women, who elect the MA-GOP Chair, set the state party platform, and direct resources. They decide whether or not the party will rebuild by focusing on legislative and other local offices, or whether we will continue focus our resources, as the Establishment has always on done, on marquis offices, that bring a lot of money for high-priced consultants who are connected with the Establishment; all to the detriment of party building. 

I am proud to enthusiastically endorse John Umina and Catherine Umina for State Committeeman and Committeewoman, respectively, in the Suffolk and Middlesex District. The district comprises Belmont, Watertown, Brighton, and Back Bay Boston.I’ve known both John and Cathy for over a decade and worked closely with both on a multitude of campaigns for Republican candidates, conservative ballot questions, and many issues which face Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Republican Party. No matter the need, both John and Cathy were there to help and even spearhead the effort.  

When I served as President of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly 5th Chapter, John served as my Vice President. Our Chapter was the largest at the time and the most active.

Watertown Democrats to Elect Delegates to State Convention

Watertown Democrats are invited to attend a caucus on Saturday, March 9, at 1 p.m. to elect 24 delegates and 5 alternates to the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. The caucus will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Library, 123 Main St. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to arrive early. Everyone who arrives by 1:15 p.m. will be admitted. At this year’s state convention, planned for Saturday, June 1 at the DCU Center in Worcester, thousands of Democrats from across the state will come together to cast a vote for their preferred Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.

In-Person Early Voting in Watertown Starts This Week

Watertown voters can take part in early voting for the 2024 Presidential Primary during six days in late February and early March. Along with candidates for President, voters can vote for the party’s State Committee Man, State Committee Woman, and Town Committee. Polling places for the Presidential Primaries will be open on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

In-Person Early Voting for the Presidential Primaries Election will be held at City Hall located at 149 Main Street, Watertown in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor on the following dates and hours:

Saturday, February 24, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, February 25, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, February 26, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, February 27, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, February 28, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, February 29, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

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

If you have any questions concerning the Election or where to go to vote, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 617-715-8686 or visit the Election and Voter Information page. Voters can also cast ballots by mail. The City Clerk’s Office said: “Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all Municipal, State and Federal Elections, with no excuse required.

How Unenrolled Voters Can Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

If you are voter filling out the Unenrolled Vote by Mail Application and you are NOT enrolled in a Party, you must select a Ballot type for the Primary elections on March 5, 2024 and September 3, 2024. 

To receive a primary ballot by mail, you must choose a Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian ballot. The application is incomplete and cannot be processed without a ballot selection and the voter’s signature. Please call the City Clerk at 617-715-8686 for help answering your questions.