How Newton Voted In Trump, Biden, Auchincloss Race

NEWTON, MA — The dust is still settling from a historic election, and the question of who will be president in 2021 is still unclear. But one thing is clear for Newton: Nearly 80 percent of registered Newton voters cast ballots in the 2020 election.

There were 62,872 registered voters this year, of those 48,839 cast ballots. That's 3,985 more than voted in the 2016 general election, when 76 percent of Newton voters participated.

"Today’s election and September's State Primary were unlike any other in our history," said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller Tuesday night as results were being tallied.

Newton 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 Newton, 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 Newton 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.

Newton voted overwhelmingly in favor of Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss for the 4th Congressional District seat. And Auchincloss for his part 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 Garden City voted this election season:

President and Vice President

1. Biden and Harris: 39,428 (82 percent of voters)
2. Trump and Pence: 8,165 (17 percent)
3. Jorgensen and Cohen: 498
4. Hawkins and Walker: 197

Senator in Congress

1. *Edward J. Markey: 38,530
2. Kevin J. O'Connor: 9,229

Representative in Congress (4th Congressional District)

• * Jake Auchincloss: 38,031
• Julie A. Hall: 8,510

Question 1: Amend Right to Repair Law

• Yes: 35,532
• No: 10,461

Question 2: Ranked-Choice Voting

• Yes: 29,313
• No: 17,053

Tuesday's results are considered preliminary and include all ballots counted through the day. Some 50 mail-in ballots that were put in the drop boxes at City Hall between 6 p.m. Tuesday and when polls closed at 8 p.m. will be tallied and added to the unofficial results Tuesday. The city is also waiting for mail-in ballots postmarked by Tuesday and arriving at the City Clerk's Office by Friday, Nov. 6. Those will be hand counted on Monday, Nov. 9 and added to the unofficial total that night. Overseas ballots can arrive within 10 days of the election, so those will be hand-counted until Friday, Nov. 13 when those too will be added to the unofficial total that night by 5 p.m.

The Election Commission is scheduled to meet Nov. 13, to certify the results, making them official.

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 .