Politics & Government

Framingham Election Results 2017: Spicer Is City's Mayor

Framingham picked Spicer for mayor, Stoll and King for councilors at large.

Charlene Arsenault, Patch Staff

Posted Tue, Nov 7, 2017 at 10:06 am ET|Updated Tue, Nov 7, 2017 at 9:25 pm ET

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Framingham voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, for a historic election as the town chose its first mayor and councilors to form a city government.

Yvonne Spicer was victorious, taking 9,128 to John Stefanini's 6,455.

"Thank you, Framingham voters," Spicer Tweeted. "Together, we made history. Excited for our future city."

Find out what's happening in Framinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

FIND RESULTS AND VOTE TOTALS BELOW

At 2:40, precincts 1 and 3 at the King School reported to Patch that it had hit between 40 and 50 percent of its registered voters. For precinct 1, 785 had voted, and for precinct 3, 559 voted, with a fairly steady stream coming in and out. This included buses from care facilities and senior centers.

Find out what's happening in Framinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"It's pretty good, pretty steady," said Warden Monica Neuman. "I thought it would be a bit heavier. It was when we opened. There was a line. And then when the Heritage bus came, it was packed, too."

"We're very steady," said Peter Valachovich, clerk for precinct 3.

All Patch talked with said they were excited to be part of such a historical election, but it was split on whether they approved of moving from town to city government. Most enthusiastically announced their pick for mayor, also a split based on exit polls.

But not everyone.

“I didn’t vote for anyone for mayor,” said Rita Gurevich emphatically, exiting the King School after casting her ballot. “None of the candidates are good for Framingham. I did vote for some councilors and school committee but can’t vote for mayor. Both candidates are for Framingham being a sanctuary city. I am not for that at all.”

Gurevich immigrated from Lithuania 37 years ago, first arriving in New York, and moving to Framingham four years later. She became a citizen in 1987.

“Being a sanctuary affects everything including the budget. I’m for immigrants, but not illegal immigrants. It’s a major problem for me.”

At the Memorial Building, which will be the home to the new city government, turnout seemed light around 4:40 p.m., at which time there had been 278 voters for precinct 14 and 356 for precinct 14. But election workers said for this particular polling place, which encompasses the downtown, it's a good turnout.

"This is good for us," said Warden Sheila Fair. "I'm pleased with this number. For a town election that usually gets 200, we should get well over 300."

"It's slightly above for a town election," echoed Henry Ohrenberger, warden of precinct 14. "It used to be that at 5:03 p.m. we'd get a stream from the train station. Now, so many people work from home that doesn't happen anymore."

Warden Sheila Fair

Nancy O'Connell, who has lived in Framingham with her family for 28 years, got out the vote at the Memorial Building.

"I voted for Yvonne Spicer," she said, also adding she's in favor of Framingham becoming a city. "I think she's remarkably strong and she was an educator and I'm an educator. She shares the same values and I think she'll be a positive mayor."

"I was excited to bring my daughter, a 5th generation Saxonville and Framingham resident, to this historic event," Danielle Rousseau, PhD LMHC, told Patch.

Precinct 17 had 170 voters come through by 5:10 p.m., with precinct 17 reporting 170. Both wardens said they expected more by that time.

"We thought we were going to have more," said Warden Dianne Fearebay.

Warden Don Shay added, "The primary was busier than this."

Wardens Dianne Fearebay and Don Shay

"I didn't like the idea of this becoming a city," said one voter from Tripp Street who preferred to remain anonymous. "They did it to take the residents out of town government. Now they can skip Town Meeting."

Gloria Price

Voter Gloria Price proudly told Patch she voted for Yvonne Spicer, leaving the Wilson Street polling location. "We need change," she said. "And a person of color, too. I think it'll be great with all we have going on in the world. And she's a woman. She's got my vote."

Here, Framingham, is who's on the ballot:

(W) denotes the winner

Mayor (Vote for One)

Yvonne M. Spicer - 9,128 (W)
John A. Stefanini - 6,455

#Framingham mayoral candidates Yvonne Spicer and John Stefanini campaigning bright and early this morning for the chance to be the city's first mayor. #mapoli PHOTOS: https://t.co/HMfRExX2cZ @stefaninimayor @spicerformayor pic.twitter.com/NGAW6hUAW6
— Ken McGagh (@kmcgaghMWphoto) November 7, 2017