Salem 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Places, Hours

SALEM, MA — Voters in Salem will head to the polls Nov. 5 for the city's municipal election. While Mayor Kim Driscoll still has two years on her current term, just one city councilor — Ward 5's Josh Turiel — is running unopposed this year. This guide is designed to give you all the information you need to vote.

Important Information For Voters

Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday and close at 8:00 p.m.
The deadline to register to vote in the election was Oct. 16. You can check your voting status on the Secretary of State's Website. You can also use the Website to find your polling place. If you missed the deadline to register to vote, make sure you register for future elections.

The following is a list of polling places for Salem wards and precincts:

WARD ONE

• 1-1 BENTLEY ACADEMY, MEMORIAL DRIVE
• 1-2 COMMUNITY ROOM, 135 LAFAYETTE STREET

WARD TWO

• 2-1 ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL HALL, 24 ST. PETER STREET
• 2-2 ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL HALL, 24 ST. PETER STREET

WARD THREE

• 3-1 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 77 WILLSON STREET
• 3-2 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 77 WILLSON STREET

WARD FOUR

• 4-1 WITCHCRAFT HEIGHTS SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 1 FREDERICK STREET
• 4-2 WITCHCRAFT HEIGHTS SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 1 FREDERICK STREET

WARD FIVE

• 5-1 SALTONSTALL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 211 LAFAYETTE STREET
• 5-2 SALTONSTALL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 211 LAFAYETTE STREET

WARD SIX

• 6-1 BATES SCHOOL, LIBERTY HILL AVENUE
• 6-2 PARK & RECREATION DEPT., MACK PARK

WARD SEVEN

• 7-1 SALEM STATE ENTERPRISE CENTER, 121 LORING AVENUE
• 7-2 SALEM STATE ENTERPRISE CENTER, 121 LORING AVENUE

Absentee Ballots

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is noon on the day before the election, according to the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Absentee ballots can be requested from the Town Clerk in writing, by either the voter or a family member. Absentee ballots are available to people who will be out of town during the hours the polls are open, have a physical disability preventing them from going to the polling place, or a religious belief.

The easiest way to request an absentee ballot is to fill out a Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Application and return it to the town clerk's office.

Who's Running

Not sure who to vote for? Check out Patch's recent coverage of the city council and school committee races.

City Council

• Salem's Biggest Issue, According To City Council Candidates
• Preliminary Election Results Could Be Trouble For Salem Incumbent
• Housing Is Key Issue In At-Large Salem City Council Race

School Committee

• Teachers Union Endorses 2 Challengers In Salem School Board Race
• Salem School Committee Incumbents Ward Off Challengers

Patch asked candidates in contested races to complete candidate profiles. You can read those profiles by clicking on a candidate's name. If the candidate's name is not highlighted, they did not respond to requests to complete a profile. Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, At Large

• Jeff Cohen
• Domingo J. Dominguez *
• Ty Hapworth
• George McCabe
• Alice Merkl
• Elaine Milo *
• Conrad J. Prosniewski
• Arthur Sargent *

City Council, Ward 1

• Robert McCarthy *
• James Willis

City Council, Ward 2

• Christine W. Madore *

Stacia Kraft is running a write-in campaign for the Ward 2 city council seat.

City Council, Ward 3

• Robert Camire
• Patti Morsillo

City Council, Ward 4

• Michael Cusick
• Timothy Flynn *

City Council, Ward 5

• Josh Turiel

City Council, Ward 6

• Megan Riccardi
• Jerry Ryan

City Council, Ward 7

Related story: Group Cancels Forum After Salem Incumbent 'Left Us Hanging'

• Stephen G. Dibble *
• Andrew Varela

School Committee

• Jennifer Brown
• Beth Anne Cornell
• Jim Fleming *
• Donna Fritz
• Mary Manning *
• Kristin Pangallo