Needham Struggles with Ballot Box Breakdowns

The different-sized special town and state ballots appear to be jamming in some of the machines, delaying the process at some precincts.

Needham's two ballots appear to be causing some problems with ballot boxes at some of the town's precincts. By 2 p.m. on Election Day, at least three ballot machines had malfunctioned, Town Clerk Tedi Eaton said. “We’ve had a lot of problems. Precinct H was down—we got that up and running. A had a problem—we got that up and running. G, I’m waiting for them to come from my vendor with another machine, so that one’s down,” she said.  Eaton said part of the problem appeared to be the fact that two different sized ballots were being fed into the machines. The ballot for Needham's special election is the size of a regular piece of computer paper, while the state ballot is much longer. “One’s this size and one’s this size, and people are trying …

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Voter Deadlines and Absentee Information for Nov. 6

Still need to register? Want to vote by mail? Here's what you need to know before the upcoming state and presidential election and Needham's special town election.

In less than one month, Massachusetts will choose a new senator, voters nationwide will elect a new president, and Needham residents will decide whether to allow retail shops to sell beer and wine. The Nov. 6 state and presidential election is rapidly approaching, and that means the opportunities for Massachusetts residents to register to vote and apply to vote absentee are dwindling. The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election is Wednesday, Oct. 17. Needham Town Clerk Tedi Eaton and her staff will be on hand for special voter registration hours that day, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The town clerk’s office is located on the first floor of Town Hall, toward the Chapel Street side. For individuals who choose to mail in their voter …

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Your Guide to the 2012 Town Election

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Needham voters will head to the polls today to pick a new selectman, decide which two candidates will sit on the Park and Recreation Commission and elect 240 Town Meeting members. The polls will be open in all 10 precincts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in Precincts C and D should note that, as they did in the March 6 primary, they will be voting at High Rock School instead of at Newman Elementary School, which is undergoing renovations. However, this time, voting equipment will be set up in the school library, not in the art room as it was in March. Below is a complete list of locations by precinct: As a quick reference, individuals can go online to wheredoivotema.com and enter an address to find their polling location. Residents also can …

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Can't Get To The Polls on April 10? Vote Absentee

Absentee ballots to vote in the 2012 Town Election must be turned in by April 9 at noon.

Don't let a busy schedule or upcoming trip keep you from the polls on Tuesday, April 10. Have your voice heard in the 2012 Town Election by registering for an absentee ballot if you will be unable to vote on election day. In a recent blog post, Needham resident Lollie Weeks—also known as "The Fortuitious Housewife"—wrote about her experience of filling out an absentee ballot, with kids in tow, and recommended that busy parents consider voting early. Weeks called the process "really simple" and said her two sons enjoyed being part of the activity. "The boys loved helping Mom vote, and the lollipops the nice lady gave them for being such good helpers was a super bonus," she wrote in her blog. "[...] don't be afraid to drag the kids along …

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Last Chance: Last Day to Register to Vote is Wednesday

Town Clerk's office will be open late on March 21 for voter registration only.

You are almost out of time if you want your voice to be heard in the annual town election. Wednesday, March 21 is the last day to register to vote in the 2012 Needham Town Election on April 10. On the ballot will be a contested selectman's race, a race for Park and Recreation commissioner and selection of all 240 Town Meeting members, among other uncontested races. The town clerk's office will be open extended hours that day, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., for voter registration only. The town clerk's office is located on the first floor of Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave. For information, call 781-455-7510 or visit the town website, www.needhamma.gov. Do you know about an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the comments below and we’ll …

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Presidential Primary Results: How Did Needham Vote?

Nearly 80 percent of local Republicans picked Mitt Romney for the nomination; overall, turnout was low, at about 15.3 percent

While covering 10 precincts, keeping six different ballots separate and adjusting to recent changes in polling locations kept Needham Town Clerk Tedi Eaton and her staff busy on Tuesday, the polls themselves weren't all that active for Needham. Just 3,150 voters turned out to vote on Super Tuesday, about 15 percent of those registered in Needham, and a far cry even from the last presidential primary in 2008, when about 11,570 Needhamites voted, according to Eaton. Although, in 2008, both the Republican and Democratic ballots were full as candidates in both parties vied for the presidential nomination. This year, the primary focus was on the Republicans. With more on the line for their party, 2,300 Needham Republicans showed up to the polls…

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Your Guide to the Primary in Needham

A quick look at polling changes, where to vote and what's on the ballot

Several Needham voters will be casting their ballots at new polling locations this Super Tuesday. Today’s Massachusetts’ Presidential Primary marks the town’s first election since Needham’s precinct map was redrawn following the 2010 U.S. Census. The new map changed boundaries to six of the town’s 10 precincts—B, C, F, G, H and I—and means all 240 Town Meeting members must run for their seats in the town election on April 10. For today, the changes will mainly be seen in where Needham residents go to vote: A new precinct could mean a new polling place. All registered voters should have received information alerting them to their new precinct and polling location if it has changed, but Town Clerk Tedi Eaton said she expects some people will…

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Selectman To Step Down On Jan. 25

Jim Healy said he will resign from the Board of Selectmen earlier than planned to avoid the cost of a special election.

On Tuesday, during his first meeting since announcing plans to resign from the board this spring, Selectman Jim Healy confirmed his decision, saying the Jan. 24 meeting would be his last and that he would officially resign the following day in order to avoid the need for a special election. Though he had initially said he would step down following the April town election, Healy said Tuesday that he had since talked with Town Clerk Tedi Eaton about the matter and learned that, according to state election laws, he would need to vacate the seat a minimum of 74 days before the election to enable the position to be included on the ballot. That date would be Feb. 7. “I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to even finish this first year [of my …

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Selectmen To Seek Re-election

Needham selectmen John Bulian and Moe Handel announce plans to run in 2012, plus a look at other seats that are up this spring.

As 2012 fast approaches, many eyes are turned to the upcoming presidential election, with the first caucus scheduled for Jan. 3 in Iowa and Massachusetts’ presidential primary set for March 6. Local politics also will be active this year, as all 240 Town Meeting seats will be up at the April 10 town election because Needham’s voting districts changed following the 2010 U.S. Census. In addition, 15 positions on town boards and committees are open this spring, and candidates can begin taking out nomination papers in the town clerk’s office on Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Town Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2.) On the Board of Selectmen, two terms are up in 2012, and both the individuals serving in those positions—John Bulian and Moe Handel—say …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 28

Needham Legion action continues today with a home game against Franklin.

"Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. 1. Mostly sunny: Except for some patchy fog before 7:00 a.m., the weather will be mostly sunny today with a high temperature around 83 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. In the late evening and early Wednesday morning, there is a chance of some showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. 2. Office closed: Though usually open on Tuesday evenings, the Town Clerk’s office will be not be open from 7:30-9:00 p.m. tonight. The Public Services Administration Building will be closed for the evening. For more information, call 781-455-7510 ext. 216. 3. Baseball game: Needham Legion Post 14 …

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