Yes, presidential years generate larger voter turnouts than other elections. And this year, we have a statewide US Senate race that adds higher interest and motivation for people to vote. But where is the mostly politically active spot in Massachusetts, based on the number of truly competitive races?
For those living north of Boston, specifically people living in the Sixth Congressional District, you also get to participate in the most competitive congressional race in Massachusetts, pitting incumbent John Tierney against Richard Tisei.
Within this congressional district, there are two open State Senate seats that will spur even more voter activity, one centered in the Salem/Peabody/Danvers area and the other spanning from Newburyport to Methuen.
While only part of the Newburyport/Methuen State Senate seat (1st Essex) is in Tierney’s district, it includes the town of Merrimac, which does fall into the Tierney/Tisei battle.
Merrimac is also part of the 2nd Essex House District, which also has an open race for state representative.
So voters in the town Merrimac will have 5 hotly contested races to decide on. At the top of the ballot, they join us mere mortals in voting for President and US Senator. They then join only about 12% of the state and get to vote in a hotly contested Congressional election and then join even a smaller sliver of electorate to have a choice in elect a new state senator. But only Merrimac will have the added privilege of also voting for new state rep (and the beauty of blogs, if I’m wrong, I will be corrected).
Of course I haven’t checked to see if there is a Republican running for the open Governor Council seat vacated by Maryellen Manning (nor have a checked to see if Merrimac is still in that Governor Council district), but what voter really gets excited about Governor Council anyway?
So is anyone else aware of a community (or precincts) in Massachusetts that will have as many or more contested elections on the ballot as Merrimac? Political nerds want to know?
Merrimac is still in the GC district currently represented by Manning. This GC race is contested between Democrat Eileen Duff and Republican Maura Ciardiello.