Primary Preview: Clerk Predicts 5,500 Voters in Turnout, Four Races on the Ballot

With a Mayor’s race at the top of the ticket and three Ward Council seats also before voters, City Clerk Michael Matarazzo predicted this week that about 20-percent of Everett’s registered voters will turnout for next week’s September 17 Primary Election, the first under the new City Government, which includes a four-year Mayoral term.

“I think we’ll get about 5,500 voters, which is around 20-percent,” said Matarazzo, who estimated the turnout based on previous elections, current interest based on requests for absentee ballots and the amount of excitement he hears from Everett voters on a day-to-day basis.

“I don’t think there is as much talk as there was (four years ago) when Mayor DeMaria was on the Primary ballot against Joe McGonagle and then-Mayor Hanlon,” explained Matarazzo. “That primary got 6,262 voters, and I see this one a little behind that. It could get to 6,000 voters, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Matarazzo also reported that as of August 22, 350 local voters had requested absentee ballots, but explained that number is at least partially due to the requests earlier this year by voters who were interested in the several Special Elections that were held in the spring and had checked off the box that requested absentee ballot for ‘all elections.’

The four races and the candidates involved are listed below. All candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot in their respective races.

In the race for Mayor, incumbent Mayor Carlo DeMaria is facing challenges from Alderwoman Millie J. Cardello and Alderman Robert J. Van Campen.

In Ward 2, current Common Councilor Jason Marcus is running against Dennis DiBiase and Stephen Simonelli for a two year seat on the new council.

In Ward 5, Councilors Rosa DiFlorio and Thomas Mills III are running against Robert E. Sansone, also for a two-year seat in the new government.

And, in Ward 6 two current councilors are running against a current Alderman. Michael McLaughlin and Catherine Tomassi Hicks are facing Alderman Salvatore F. Sachetta.

The top two vote getters in each of these four races will be on the ballot in the general election in November, along with candidates for at-large and ward councilors in Wards 1, 3, and 4 and members of the School Committee.

For information about where to vote, see the City Clerk’s page on the City of Everett website or contact the City Clerk’s office.

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