Democracy rarely waits for dust to settle, let alone the dissipation of "pond scum." Fact is: In a politically hyperactive year like this one, special elections and registration deadlines come fast and furious.
So, as the sparring heats up between US Senate candidates Ed Markey, the Democratic congressman who represents Lexington in the US House, and Gabriel Gomez, the GOP candidate from Cohasset, let's pause to sort out the details.
The special state election to name the next US Senator is scheduled for June 25. And so, for unregistered resdients who will be 18 on or before June 25, the deadline to register to vote in the special election is 8 p.m. next Wednesday, June 5. (Voter registration deadline is 20 days prior to all local, state and national elections.)
Here in Lexington, mail-in voter registration affidavit forms are available at the Town Clerk’s Office and online. Forms are also available from other city or town clerk offices, with registrations filed out-of-town being forwarded to Lexington. Per the usual, the Town Clerk's Office will stay open for walk-in registrations from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 5, deadline day.
Residents already registered to vote in Lexington do not need to register again. If you're a registered voter who recently moved to Lexington and wish to verify your registration status, contact the Town Clerk’s office at 781-862-0500 ext 270 or townclerk@lexingtonma.gov.
Markey and Gomez are vying to fill the U.S. Senate seat that opened with John Kerry’s appointment as Secretary of State and is being kept warm by the governor’s appointee, interim US Sen. Mo Cowan.
Lexington already has two elections in the rear view mirror this year: A town election that came in went with a meager voter turnout and a special state primary. And there could be more to come.