Berkshire County — With the September 3 Massachusetts state primary less than two weeks away, this primer will get you prepared, especially for those readers new to the Commonwealth. The information was compiled August 22 using VOTE411 and the website of Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin.
First, what is a primary?
Primaries are elections within political parties to decide that party’s nominees for November’s general election. Massachusetts recognizes three political parties–the Democratic, Libertarian and Republican parties—with each party posting its own primary, including separate ballots. If a candidate isn’t aligned with any of these parties, those “independent candidates” aren’t on the primary ballot but, instead, vie for their position in the general election. For example, Marybeth Mitts filed as an independent candidate for the 3rd Berkshire District state representative seat and won’t be on the September 3 primary ballot but will be listed on the November ballot.
Massachusetts state primaries, such as the upcoming September 3 election, are held in September of even-numbered years while presidential primaries are held on the first Tuesday of March, or “Super Tuesday,” in presidential election years. The presidential election will be held November 5.
The polling hours for the September 3 primary is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How do I register to vote in the primary?
Fun fact: As of February 2, there were 96,717 registered voters in Massachusetts.
If you are a registered Massachusetts voter, you can vote in a primary election; you don’t have to be registered with a party. However, if you are registered with one party, say the Democratic Party, you can’t vote in another party’s primary, such as the Republican primary.
The deadline to register to vote in the September 3 primary is August 24. The deadline to apply to vote by mail in the September 3 primary is August 26.
To see if you are registered to vote in the primary, click here. If you aren’t registered or need to update your voter registration, you can do this online here. You can also mail in a voter-registration form found here. Or in person at your office. Here is a list of the South County offices for voter registration and other information, with drop boxes noted for submitting mail-in ballots:
Alford Town Clerk
5 Alford Center Road, Alford, MA 01230
clerk@townofalford.org; (413) 528-4536; Drop Box: 5 Alford Center Road
Egremont Town Clerk
171 Egremont Plain Road, South Egremont, MA 01258; P.O. Box 368, South Egremont, MA 01258z
townclerk@egremont-ma.gov; (413) 528-0182; Drop Box: 171 Egremont Plain Road
Great Barrington Town Clerk
334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
jrisen@townofgb.org; (413) 528-1619; Drop Box: 334 Main Street (Black drop box, on the South side of the building next to the elevator entrance)
Hancock Town Clerk
3650 Hancock Road, Hancock, MA 01237
hantclb1@aol.com; (413) 738-5225, ext. 2; Drop Box: 3650 Hancock Road
Lee Town Clerk
32 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238
cbrittain@town.lee.ma.us; (413) 243-5505; Drop Box: 32 Main Street (Town Hall entryway)
Lenox Town Clerk
6 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 01240
ksullivan@townoflenox.com; (413) 637-5500; Drop Box: 6 Walker Street (Mail slot in door labeled Municipal Drop Box)
Monterey Town Clerk
435 Main Road, Monterey, MA 01245; P.O. Box 277, Monterey, MA 01245
clerk@montereyma.gov; (413) 528-1443; Drop Box: 435 Main Road
Mount Washington Town Clerk
2 Plantain Pond Road, Mount Washington, MA 01258
lbeckwith@townofmtwashington.com’ (413) 528-2839
New Marlborough Town Clerk
807 Mill River Southfield Road, Mill River, MA 01244
kchretien@newmarlboroughma.gov; (413) 229-8278; Drop Box: 807 Mill River Southfield Road, Mill River (Blue box at rear entrance of the parking lot, to the right of entrance)
Pittsfield City Clerk
70 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
elections@cityofpittsfield.org; (413) 499-9460; Drop Box: 70 Allen Street (City Hall rear parking lot)
Richmond Town Clerk
1529 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254
clerk@richmondma.org; (413) 553-7793; Drop Box: 1529 State Road
Sandisfield Town Clerk
66 Sandisfield Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255
townclerk@sandisfieldma.gov; (413) 258-4711
Sheffield Town Clerk
21 Depot Square, Sheffield, MA 01257
fjoyce@sheffieldma.gov; (413) 229-7000; Drop Box: 21 Depot Square
Stockbridge Town Clerk
50 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262; P.O. Box 417, Stockbridge, MA 01262
clerk@townofstockbridge.com; (413) 298-4170; Drop Boxes: 50 Main Street (Outside main front door and outside downstairs lobby)
Tyringham Town Clerk
116 Main Road, Tyringham, MA 01264
townclerk@bcn.net; (413) 243-1749; Drop Box: 116 Main Road
West Stockbridge Town Clerk
21 State Line Road, West Stockbridge, MA 01266
clerk@weststockbridge-ma.gov; (413) 232-0300; Drop Boxes: 21 State Line Road (Outside Town Hall, on the left of front door and inside Town Hall, to the left of town clerk’s window)
For more towns, see here.
Where do I vote?
You can enter your residence information online with the Secretary of State to determine your polling place here.
You can also vote by mail and can apply to do so here.
What should I bring with me if I am voting in person on September 3?
If you are voting for the first time in the Commonwealth or have been an inactive voter or for any other reason asked by the poll worker, bring identification showing your name and address such as a driver’s license, utility bill, or rent or lease receipt. More information on this question can be found here.
What is on my ballot?
In South Berkshire County, voters will be asked to choose the following:
Congress, Senator
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Democrat ballot: Elizabeth Ann Warren (Cambridge), candidate
Republican ballot (vote for 1): Robert J. Antonellis (Medford), Ian Cain (Quincy), John Deaton (Swansea), candidates
Congress, Representative, First District (vote for 1)
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Republican ballot: no nomination
Democrat ballot: Richard E. Neal (Springfield), candidate
Councilor, Eighth District (vote for 1)
Republican ballot: no nomination
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Democrat ballot: Tara J. Jacobs (North Adams), candidate
State Senator (vote for 1)
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Republican ballot: David Rosa (Dighton), candidate
Democrat ballot: Paul W. Mark (Becket), candidate
State Representative, Third Berkshire District
Republican ballot: no nomination
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Democrat ballot (vote for 1): Leigh Susan Davis (Great Barrington), Jamie M. Minacci (Stockbridge), Patrick Thomas White (Stockbridge), candidates
Berkshire County Court Clerk (vote for 1)
Libertarian ballot: no nomination
Republican ballot: no nomination
Democrat ballot: Lisa A. Denault-Viale (Windsor), candidate
Register of Deeds, Berkshire Southern District (vote for 1): no nominations any party
Candidate information for the September 3 primary can be found here.
