Feb. 25, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
The presidential primary is just around the corner and is expected to attract a high number of voters from the different parties. Every vote counts!
Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and Green-Party specimen ballots are posted on the town website: https://www.hingham-ma.gov/413/Elections-Ballots-Warrants-Results
Town Clerk Eileen McCracken looked back at the 2012 and 2016 presidential election years in Hingham to help her predict what turnout might be expected at the March 3 presidential primary. "In 2012, which was President Obama’s second term, there was only a 20 percent turnout," she recalled. "In 2016 there was a 51 percent voter turnout.
"The primaries are not usually very busy, but this year with there being a good group of Democratic candidates and a lot of support for President Trump, I think we will have more people than we usually do when a president is running for a second term," McCracken said. "Early voting is another big factor. That said, we may have a voter turnout of 50 percent or more."
To help avoid long lines at the polls, early voting will be held at Town Hall, 210 Central St., through February 28 during regular business hours. Legislation was passed in May 2014 allowing early voting starting with the 2016 general election. Town elections are not included. Early voting is available to every registered voter.
Absentee ballots are available in the town clerk's office. To absentee vote in person, stop by the town clerk's office at any time the office is open prior to noon on the day before an election. Only those who will be absent from the town on Election Day or have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls or who have a religious belief preventing the same are legally allowed to vote by absentee ballot.
Here are the details:
* Date: Tuesday, March 3
* Poll locations: Precincts 1 through 4 -- High School, 17 Union St.; Precincts 5 and 6 -- Middle School, 1103 Main St.; Precinct 5A -- Linden Ponds, 300 Linden Ponds Way.
* Voting hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mark your calendar for important upcoming events:
* Monday, April 27 -- Hingham Town Meeting
* Saturday, May 2 -- Hingham town election
* Tuesday, Sept. 1 -- state primary
* Tuesday, Nov. 3 -- state presidential election
For further information call the town clerk's office, (781) 741-1410.