Brookline Election Results: Newbury Override Passes

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline didn't break any record turnouts, but it did approve raising taxes to pay for a $14.8 million piece of property on Fisher Hill during a historic election Tuesday.

There were 40,345 registered voters this year, of those 30,076 cast ballots, meaning nearly 75 percent of registered Brookline voters cast ballots in the 2020 election, down from 76 percent in the 2016 election. Turnout was still greater than it was in 2012, when it was at 71 percent.

The biggest local issue on the ballot was a question of whether Brookline would accept increased taxes to fund the purchase a $14.8 million portion of the old Newbury College campus from Welltower, a senior housing developer.

Nearly 61 percent of voters approved the tax override, with 26 percent opposed.

It's not clear just yet what the town will use the campus for, community members have suggested everything from an elementary school to municipal land for DPW, a community center or outdoor pool.

Brookline voted in favor of the right to repair ballot question, following much of the state. Question number 2 on the ballot, regarding ranked choice ballots won overwhelmingly in Brookline, but not so in the rest of the state where 54 percent of voters voted against the move and only 43 percent voted in favor.

If it were up to Brookline voters, they would —overwhelmingly — put Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House come Jan. 1. The rest of Massachusetts voters appear to be less enthusiastic of that outcome, though still in favor of a Biden presidency over a Trump. With 87 percent of districts tallied, the state tally puts 66 percent in favor of a Biden, Harris ticket versus 33 percent for a Trump, Pence ticket Wednesday.

Brookline voted overwhelmingly in favor of Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss for the 4th Congressional District seat. Auchincloss called the race he was projected to win last night a little before all the votes were tallied across the district. At 7 a.m. he was projected to win with 92 percent of districts reporting across the 4th Congressional District.

"I'm so grateful that the voters of #MA04 have chosen me as their next Congressman," Auchincloss tweeted. "I promise that I will be a representative for the entire district, that I will always listen, and that together, we will work to rebuild this nation."

Read this too: Gov. Charlie Baker Didn't Vote For Trump Or Biden

Here's a look at how the Brookline voted this election season:

President and Vice President

1. Biden and Harris: 26,046 (87 percent of voters)
2. Trump and Pence: 3,322 (11 percent)
3. Jorgensen and Cohen: 236
4. Hawkins and Walker: 143

Senator in Congress

1. *Edward J. Markey: 25,505
2. Kevin J. O'Connor: 3,998

Representative in Congress (4th Congressional District)

• * Jake Auchincloss: 24,623
• Julie A. Hall: 3,866

Question 1: Amend Right to Repair Law

• Yes: 21,862
• No: 6,196

Question 2: Ranked-Choice Voting

• Yes: 19,980
• No: 8,514

Norfolk County Sheriff

• Democrat Patrick McDermott: 21,617
• Republican Jerry McDermott: 5,240

Norfolk County Commissioner (2 seats)

• Joseph Shea: 15,672
• Heather Hamilton: 11,749
• Richard Staiti: 8,888

See the precinct breakdown of results here:

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how .