While Massachusetts voters elected Republican Charlie Baker as the state's next governor, the Vineyard largely backed Democrats in the state election Tuesday, including Mr. Baker's challenger, Martha Coakley.
Vineyard voters will weigh in on races at the federal, state and local level, some of which are hotly contested. Islanders have requested absentee ballots in unusually high numbers, town clerks said. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Greater transparency, expanded human services and more state funding are among the goals shared by candidates running for the Dukes County commission. Seven people are running to fill seven seats on the board next Tuesday. Four appear on the ballot, while three are running as write-ins.
Midterm elections have a reputation for being lackluster, but with a dead-heat gubernatorial race and other key issues drawing debate among voters, this year promises to be different.
Vineyard voters will decide on local races in the November election, including seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, county commission and up-Island school committee.
Vineyard voters followed most statewide voting trends in Tuesday’s primary, casting ballots for winning gubernatorial candidates Martha Coakley and Charles Baker. Democratic voters on the Island also came out in strong numbers for gubernatorial candidate Donald Berwick.
The fall 2014 election season begins in earnest next week, as Vineyarders join voters statewide in going to the polls for the state primary. Polls will be open in all Vineyard towns from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Marion Mudge’s preparation for Tuesday’s Tisbury town election began well before the actual event. Absentee ballots were sent out, members of the fire and public works departments were consulted for setup, voting booths arranged, signs posted and stocks of snacks purchased at the grocery store for election volunteers.
As Tisbury town clerk for the past 30 years, Ms. Mudge has kept track of Tisbury’s vital records — its births, deaths, marriages and civil unions. But elections remain her favorite part of the job.
