Newburyport Election 2011 – Confusion
November 1st, 2011What I hear when I talk to people (and these are people who vote, and pay attention) is a whole lot of confusion about the upcoming Newburyport election on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
Q: When is the mayor running for re-election?
A: The mayor is running for re-election in this election, but she is running unopposed. (I happen to think that Mayor Donna Holaday is running unopposed because she is doing such a fantastic job.)
Q: What is a “Charter,” does it have something to do with Newburyport’s Charter School?
A: No, the “Charter,” has nothing to do with Newburyport’s Charter School. The Newburyport Charter is the legal document that outlines how the City of Newburyport functions and is organized.
Q: What is that big gray pamphlet that came in the mail?
A: That is the new Newburyport Charter that the citizens of Newburyport will vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. There is now an easy to understand website on Newburyport’s Charter, www.charteryes.com.
Q: What are those signs?
A: The signs around town are for people running for the Newburyport Council At-Large race.
Q: What is the Newburyport Council At-Large?
A: There are 6 areas in Newburyport, they are called “Wards.” Newburyport has 6 Wards. Each Ward has its own City Councilor. In this election all 6 Newburyport Ward City Councilors are running unopposed. There are 5 other Newburyport City Councilors who cover the entire city of Newburyport (all 6 Wards), they are called Newburyport City Councilors At-Large. There are 8 candidates running for 5 seats for the Newburyport City Councilor At-Large race.
Q: My child’s doesn’t have school, I think, on November 8th, is that when the election is?
A: Yes, the election is Tuesday, November 8, 2011. (Go out and vote.)
Q: Where do I vote again?
A: To find out where you vote go to this website “Election Information,” put in your street address and it will tell you where to vote.