What You Need to Know about Needham's Double-Election

Needham is actually being asked to vote early and often next week: there are two ballots to be filled for the Special Election on Tuesday.

In addition to the votes residents will cast for their choice of state senator to replace Secretary of State John Kerry, they will also have a chance to elect a candidate to the Selectman's seat vacated by the passing of Jerry Wasserman.

There are three names on the ballot for Senate: Republican Gabriel Gomez, Democrat Ed Markey and Twelve Visions Party Richard Heos.

There is one candidate on the ballot for Selectman: Marianne Cooley.

The process for a double-election is not much more complicated than for a single election. From the Town Clerk, here is what residents need to do to receive their ballots for the special election (see PDFs for more): 

And now on Election Day when you go to the polls…..

1. Go to the check-in table. The inspector will ask for your name and address. You will receive a Special State Election ballot which is one-sided.  

2. Go to the next inspector at the check-in table to vote in the Special Town Election.  Again you will be asked for your name and address.  You will receive a Special Town Election ballot which is also one-sided.

3. Go to the voting booth and mark your ballot (or ballots).  

4. After voting, go to the check-out table.  Give name and address for State Election.  Then Go to the Special Town Election check-out and give name and address. 

5. Please place your ballot(s) in the black ballot box SLOWLY AND ONE BALLOT AT A TIME.  
If you try to push both ballots into the ballot box, it will jam and cause major problems!

In the event that you are not on the voting list, you will be sent to a voting warden, who will help you out. If you think you may be on the inactive voting list, bring some proof of residence with you to verify that you have lived in town for at least six months. 

On the off-chance, you are not on either the active or inactive voter list, you may get a provisional ballot, a memo from the Town Clerk's Office (under PDFs) goes on to say. This will be hand-counted, and then they will determine what to do with it--they will keep you posted, though.

The Town Clerk's office says .