It’s finally time for Cape Ann voters to head to the polls for the 2024 Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, for those who have not already made their voice heard by mail, early in-person or absentee voting.
When, where to vote
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
These are the official polling places:
Gloucester
Ward 1, Precincts 1 and 2: East Veterans Elementary School, 11 Webster St.
Ward 2, Precincts 1 and 2: Our Lady’s Youth Center, 140 Prospect St.
Ward 3, Precincts 1 and 2: Gloucester High School Field House, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road
Ward 4, Precinct 1: Beeman Memorial School, 138 Cherry St.
Ward 4, Precinct 2: Plum Cove School, 14 Hickory St.
Ward 5, Precinct 1: Magnolia Library and Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave.
Ward 5, Precinct 2: West Parish Elementary School, 10 Concord St.
Rockport
Precinct 1: Town Hall Annex, 26 Broadway.
Precinct 2: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway.
Precinct 3: Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway.
Essex
All polling at the Essex Public Safety Building, 11 John Wise Ave.
Manchester-by-the-Sea
All polling at Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln St.
Student engagement
O’Maley Innovation Middle School students in eighth-grade civics’ classes plan to conduct exit polling on civic engagement during polling at Gloucester High from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to social studies teacher Matt Lewis. Students will not be asking people how they voted, but will be asking voters about their voter participation trends. They will also ask a question about whether 16-year-olds should be allowed to take part in local elections.
Voter rules
These Election Day rules for campaigning and voting in precincts came from the Gloucester city clerk’s office, but are based on state law and regulations, so apply elsewhere:
Electioneering/Campaigning: Campaigning for or against candidates and questions on the ballot (including holding signs, wearing hats/clothing, stickers, pins, etc.) is allowed at least 150 feet away from a polling place. However, it is strictly prohibited within 150 feet of a polling place. This means you’ll need to remove or cover the prohibited article before entering the polling place. Failure to remove or cover the prohibited article may result in an election official requiring you to leave the polling place until that article is removed or sufficiently covered. Election officials/police officers are required to enforce these laws. We want your voting experience to be a positive one, so please plan accordingly! (MGL c. 54 and c. 56, and 950 CMR Secs. 52.02 and 54.04)
Inactive voters: Voters become inactive when they do not respond to the local census or confirmation mailings. If you’re an inactive voter, you’ll be directed to the precinct warden or clerk so that you can complete an “Affirmation of Current and Continuous Residence” roster. You’ll need to show an ID (or an official document bearing your current name and address) to verify your residence. (950 CMR 54.04(6))
Observers: Observers are individuals who observe the voting process at the polls. They are legally allowed to be in the polling place (behind the guardrail) but they are prohibited from speaking with voters or any election officer other than the warden. In Massachusetts, the entire election process is done in public view, and that means the precincts are open and accessible for observation from half an hour before the polls open to the time everything is packed up and returned to City Hall. The warden does have the authority to limit the number of observers in the precinct if it becomes too crowded. Observers are encouraged but not required to notify the city clerk’s office in advance of Election Day. (CMR 54.04(22))
Ballots: Absentee, vote-by-mail, and early in-person ballots are all counted at the polls. They are checked in at the check-in table as if the ballots are in-person voters, and then the ballots are removed from their envelopes and given to the warden to run through the tabulator. Please don’t be alarmed when you see this process in action. However, should you ever witness suspicious activity at a polling place, it should be reported immediately to the city clerk. (MGL c. 54, §95)
Questions, complaints
In Gloucester, if you have any questions or complaints, you may contact the City Clerk’s office at 978-325-5120 or by emailing elections@gloucester-ma.gov.
Rockport Town Clerk Melanie Waddell said those with voter complaints or questions can contact her office at 978-546-8894 or e-mail townclerk@rockportma.gov.
Waddell said voters can expect “integrity, excellence and efficiency” when they go to the polls.
“We have an amazing trained staff,” she said.
Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Clerk Christine Dixon said voters with questions or concerns may reach her at the town clerk’s office at 978-526-2040.
Essex Town Clerk Holly Dash said said complaints about voting procedures can be directed to the warden at the polling site and all other complaints may directed to the town clerk’s office at Town Hall, 30 Martin St., or 978-768-7111.
“Voters should expect to be welcomed with smiles from the poll workers,” Dash said. “They can expect an easy and smooth process flow to ensure a positive voting experience.”
Where to find bake sales
Voters heading to the polls at Gloucester High will be able to take part in a bake sale run by the Class of 2026.
The O’Maley Innovation Middle School PTO will be hosting one at the polls from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage’s Youth Center.
Lanesville voters can partake in a bake sale at the Plum Cove School run by the school’s PTO.
The West Parish Elementary School PTO will also be hosting a bake sale during voting hours at the school.
The East Veterans School PTO plans a bake sale and a scratch ticket raffle from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Beeman Memorial School PTO is also planning a bake sale on Election Day.
The town clerks in Rockport, Essex and Manchester said they had not heard of any bake sales taking place at the polls in their towns.
Rides to the polls
The Gloucester Democratic City Committee can help people with rides to the polls on a limited person-to-person basis, said member Jen Holmgren. The committee can be contacted at 978-239-2205 or capeanndemhq@gmail.com.
The clerks in Rockport and Manchester said they had not been notified that rides were being offered.
Dash said there will be no rides to the poll provided for voters in Essex.
Early voting turnout
In Gloucester, early voting wrapped up Friday at 12:30 p.m., at City Hall on Dale Avenue.
Statewide turnout between vote by mail and early voting was 27.3% of registered voters as of Wednesday, according to the Secretary of the State’s office.
Of the 1.385 million ballots mailed statewide, more than 964,000, nearly 70%, were returned. For in-person early voting, nearly 442,000 ballots were cast.
In all, more than 1.4 million ballots were cast statewide as of Oct. 30, with voters also voting early on Cape Ann.
By Oct. 30 in Gloucester, turnout was at 26.3% with 6,361 ballots cast early and by mail.
In Rockport, turnout was 42.6% with 2,712 ballots cast early and by vote by mail.
Manchester’s turnout was 33.7% with 1,507 ballots cast early and by mail.
Essex saw a 26.3% turnout with 799 ballots cast both in-person and by mail.
Material from Staff Writer Stephen Hagan was used in this report.
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.