What's at stake and how to cast your ballot: 6 things to know about the primary election
The 2022 election season is upon us with the Sept. 6 primary about a week away.
As a presidential mid-term election, it may be tempting to dismiss the primary, but there are a number of key positions on the ballot — some of which will be decided on Sept. 6 — that could shape the future of Bristol County for years to come. That makes this primary an event worth watching and paying attention to.
Polls are open throughout the state from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You’ll need to be already registered to vote by now — state law requires people to be registered at least 10 days before an election. If you’re registered but have not responded to a city or town census, you may be considered an “inactive” voter. Inactive voters can still cast ballots, but they may have to show ID and affirm their address first.
Here are six more things you need to know about this primary:
A decade of historic preservation: Fall River OK'd the Community Preservation Act 10 years ago. Has it been worth the money?
Here's where to vote
If you’re voting in person on Sept. 6, Fall River has 27 precincts, and Westport has five — you'll have to report to the polling place for your precinct. If you don’t know where that is, use the "Where Do I Vote” tool at the Secretary of State’s website to find it; or call the Fall River Board of Election Commissioners at 508-324-2630 or Westport Town Clerk's office at 508-636-1000.
Voters in Somerset cast ballots at Somerset Berkley Regional High School’s dining hall, 625 County St. In Swansea, go to the Case High School gymnasium, 70 School St. Freetown voters go to Freetown Elementary School, 43 Bullock Road.
If you're registered, you can also vote early. Cities and towns have special hours and locations to cast ballots before the primary.
'Like a scene out of Sons of Anarchy': Opening arguments detail Fall River biker brawl and shooting
Voting by mail? Here are your deadlines
Everyone in Massachusetts now has the right to request a mail ballot to vote absentee without an excuse. The deadline to request a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29. Details on the Secretary of State’s website can help you request a mail ballot online, or by downloading or printing an application.
To vote by mail, you’ll have to pick a Democrat or Republican ballot to fill out, even if you’re an unenrolled voter. Casting that party’s ballot will not automatically enroll you in that party.
Mail ballots have to be returned to your local elections office by 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 or they won’t count — even if they’re postmarked that day. Make sure you mail it back in the return envelope provided with enough time to get through the postal system, or bring it in person to a ballot dropbox at your local elections office. You can’t drop it off in person at a polling place on Sept. 6.
Once your mail ballot is in a dropbox or mailbox, you can’t take it back. And, no, you can’t also vote in person on Sept. 6.
Who's running for seats on Beacon Hill and in Congress
As a midterm election, the races on the primary ballot are mainly at the state and county levels. No state representatives, state senators, or their challengers face any primary-level opponents:
Sixth Bristol District: state Rep. Carole Fiola (D)
Seventh Bristol District: state Rep. Alan Silvia (D)
Eighth Bristol District: state Rep. Paul Schmid (D), Evan Gendreau (R)
First Bristol and Plymouth District: state Sen. Michael Rodrigues (D), Russell T. Protentis (R)
In Congress, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D) is running unopposed with no Republican challenger. U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (D) has two Republican challengers: Jesse W. Brown and Dan Sullivan.
Narrowing down the choices for governor
With Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito choosing not to run for another term in 2022, the Sept. 6 primary will narrow down the race for state governor. Democrats will choose between Attorney General Maura Healey and state Sen. Sonia Rosa Chang-Díaz. Republicans will pick either former state representative Geoff Diehl or businessman Chris Doughty.
Inside the sheriff's race: Three Democrats trade barbs, aiming to unseat Hodgson as Bristol County sheriff
First challenge to Hodgson since 2010
The two most closely watched races locally will likely be two connected to the criminal justice system: Bristol County sheriff and district attorney.
Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson (R) is unopposed in his party, looking for a fifth consecutive six-year term. Three Democrats are vying for the chance to face him in November’s general election: attorney Nicholas Bernier, Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux and former Somerset police chief George McNeil.
Hodgson has held the post of sheriff since 1997; the last time he faced a challenge for the job was 2010, against former Democratic state Rep. John Quinn of Dartmouth.
According to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Hodgson has just over $250,000 in his campaign war chest — almost four times the amount as his nearest competitor, Heroux, and three and a half times the cash on hand as all three Democratic opponents combined.
Two vie for DA: Hard-hitting Bristol County District Attorney's race will be decided at Sept. 6 primary
Primary will decide district attorney's race
Meanwhile, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, who has been the county's top prosecutor since 2015, is facing his first-ever political opponent for that seat: former assistant district attorney Shannon McMahon. The seat has no Republican challenger — whoever wins the Sept. 6 primary will lead the county DA’s office for the next four years.
Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: 2022 primary election is Sept. 6: Who's running, how to cast your vote
