Medford Dems endorse Ed Markey for Senate

The Medford Democratic City Committee recently voted to enthusiastically endorse Senator Ed Markey for a new term.

Senator Markey’s record of supporting issues that impact families of Medford and nearby communities has led to this endorsement. Below are just a few things that matter to so many Medford residents:

  • Housing – Markey has a track record of fighting for affordable housing – from his 2007 amendment to ensure that low-income residents in Malden were not displaced by expiring affordable housing requirements to the January, 2020 announcement that HUD had awarded grants totaling than $3.5 million to public housing agencies in Massachusetts
  • Education – Markey was the first in his family to attend college and knows the importance of quality educational opportunities for everyone. Amongst many actions, Markey wrote “The ABC’s of PCBs” report, exposing the existence of harmful chemicals in the building materials of many schools around the country. In 1996, he led on bringing broadband technology to schools and libraries across the country. Markey has supported the Head Start Program for years – ensuring comprehensive education, health, nutrition and other services are available to low-income families. The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts has endorsed Markey, praising him for his advocacy on the behalf of students, teachers, and families across the state.
  • Climate – Markey is a longtime advocate in the fight against climate change. From 2007 to 2010, he served as Chair of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. In 2009, he co-sponsored the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy & Security Act, aiming to cut global emissions by 17% through 2020 and up to 80% by 2050. He is currently Chair of the Senate Climate Change Task Force and in February, 2019 co-sponsored the Green New Deal with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
  • Equality – Markey’s support of our immigrant, minority, and LGBTI neighbors is long and well documented. He has long worked on behalf of the Dreamers, seeking a pathway to citizenship for them. In support of refugees, he introduced the GRACE Act and is actively working to address the growing refugee crisis related to global warming and climate change. In support of LGBTI community, he authored the GLOBE Act – broad legislation that could put the US in the lead, in the protection of LGBTI rights.
  • Economy – Markey has made it a cornerstone of his work, to help identify and develop opportunities for the citizens of Medford, Massachusetts, and the nation. Industries targeted for opportunities by the Senator include high tech, medical, clean energy and more. He’s a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship as well as the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and works tirelessly in the pursuit of job creation.

For the above reasons, plus his continued advocacy on issues that impact all of us like child care, the opioid crisis, immigrants’ rights, net neutrality and consumer protection, the Medford Democratic City Committee stands in support of Senator Ed Markey and his pursuit of another term in the Senate. To learn more about Senator Markey’s campaign or to get involved, please visit http://www.edmarkey.com.

Presidential Primary Election 2020

The 2020 Presidential Primary Election will take place Tuesday, March 3. Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm.

Where do I vote? (This will also get you access to a sample ballot.)

In addition, early voting will be available, as described on the Medford website:

Early voting will take place in the Howard F. Alden Chambers, Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155, on the following dates and times:

Monday, February 24
8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25
8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 26
8:30 a.m. — 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 27
8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Friday, February 28
8:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m

Note: The Medford Democratic Caucus taking place on March 7 is not related to the Presidential election.

Medford Democratic caucus – March 7

DATE:   MARCH 7, 2020
PLACE:   MEDFORD CITY HALL, ALDEN CHAMBERS
START TIME:  10:00 A.M.

Registration opens at 9.30 a.m. 

This caucus is to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party convention taking place in Lowell on May 30.

Only registered and preregistered Democratic voters shall be allowed to vote in the caucus.

Pre-registered Democrats must be 16 years old by May 11, 2019, must be pre-registered by the time of the Caucus, and must provide proof of their pre-registration. 

Any person not shown on the Democratic registration list must either provide proof of Democratic Party registration (or pre-registration) or register (or pre-register) prior to the close of the caucus registration period.

Caucus registration shall open at 9:30 and will remain open until all persons presenting themselves by 10:15 a.m. have registered.

Note: This caucus is not related to the presidential election. Here’s information about the presidential primary election.

Vote today, November 5

Municipal elections in Medford take place today, Tuesday, November 5. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. If you’re not sure where to vote, take a look at WhereDoIVoteMA.com.

There is a useful non-partisan guide to the candidates at MedfordVotes.org.

A sample ballot is available on the City of Medford website.

The re-election campaign of Mayor Stephanie Burke is offering rides to the polls for anyone who needs them. Contact the campaign at 978-996-0019.

Medford Candidates Night Forums

The Medford Democratic City Committee and Medford Ward 6 Democratic Committee will sponsor three Candidates Forum events over two nights. The dates are:

October 17, 2019:
Mayoral Candidates 7:00–8:00 p.m.
School Committee Candidates 8:30—9:30 p.m.

October 24, 2019:
City Council Candidates 7:00–9:00 p.m.

The events will take place at Medford City Hall in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers on the 2nd Floor.

The event is free to the public. All the Medford candidates have been invited.

The purpose of these forums is to give each candidate an opportunity to address policy issues vital to our city’s future. These issues involve a range of crucial issues that include community planning, land use, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, streets and drainage, parks and playgrounds, economic development, school construction and maintenance, historic preservation, cultural enhancements, and public health, safety and zoning. We would like to know their respective priorities with respect to issues involving the environment, transportation, housing, and growth. And what actions will they take in these areas to enhance the quality of life for the people of our city.

The moderator for the forums is Henry Milorin, who is the Chair of the Ward 6 committee.

The public is invited to attend these informational events to see and hear the candidates running in the general election on November 5.

Get Out the Vote in Medford (or help swing a nearby district)

It’s time to GET OUT THE VOTE! Canvassing and phone banking activities are taking place in Medford multiple times per day from today through Election Day.

Swing Left is also organizing canvassing trips to Congressional swing districts in New Hampshire and Maine.

And, of course, don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, if you didn’t already vote early! Polls will be open 7am to 8pm. You can find your polling place here.

Medford Ward 8 Dems announce endorsements

endorsementAt its September 13 meeting, the Medford Ward 8 Democratic Committee voted to endorse the full slate of Democratic candidates for the November 2018 general election:

US Senator: Elizabeth Warren
Governor: Jay Gonzalez
Lieutenant Governor: Quentin Palfrey
Attorney General: Maura Healey
Secretary of State: Bill Galvin
Treasurer: Deb Goldberg
Auditor: Suzanne Bump
US Representative: Katherine Clark
Governor’s Councillor: Terrence Kennedy
State Senator: Pat Jehlen
State Representative: Christine Barber (34th Middlesex) and Paul Donato (35th Middlesex)
District Attorney: Marian Ryan
Clerk of Courts: Michael Sullivan
Register of Deeds: Maria Curtatone

The Committee also voted to endorse the following positions on the state ballot questions:

Yes on question 1 (establishing limits for nurse-to-patient ratios)
Yes on question 2 (establishing a committee to research and recommend a Constitutional amendment establishing that corporations are not people and allowing regulation of campaign donations)
Yes on question 3 (affirming the current law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity)

Image by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

Primary election Sep. 4

From the City of Medford:

There will be a State Primary Election on Tuesday, September 4th.  There will be three ballots available on Election Day to those registered to vote, a democratic, republican and libertarian ballot.   These will include the race for Governor, Lt. Governors, Congress, State Senator, State Representative, Attorney General, Secretary of State, US Senator, Governors Council, District Attorney, Clerk of Courts and Register of Deeds.Those registered voters that vote at our public schools such as the Roberts, McGlynn, Brooks and Columbus Schools, please be aware that all schools will be in session and parking is limited.  Try to avoid peek traffic times in the morning and afternoon.  The polls will be open at 7AM and close at 8PM.

The last day and hour to register to vote for the September 4th Election is Wednesday, August 15th at 8PM. This can be done at the Registrars of Voters Office in Room 102 at City Hall. For a list of polling locations visit the City website  at medfordma.org. For further information please contact 781-393-2491.

Ed. note: You can find your polling location and see a sample Democratic primary ballot by entering your address at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/

Candidates nights Oct 12 & 18

The Medford Democratic City Committee and the Medford Ward 6 Democratic Committee will be hosting two candidates nights for the upcoming municipal election:

Thursday, October 12th, 2017
7:00 p.m.  Mayoral Candidates
8:00 p.m.  School Committee Candidates

Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
7:00 p.m. City Council Candidates

Both events will take place at Medford City Hall, in the Alden Chambers.

All candidates have been invited to share their vision for the city and the office for which they are running.

The candidates nights are open to all and will be broadcast on local access channel 22 (Comcast) or 43 (Verizon).