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By Crystal Yormick
Political change and ballot questions, particularly questions eight and nine, which would regulate the amount of marijuana someone can possess and gun control, respectively, were top of mind for Medford residents who spoke to Gotta Know Medford today.
The ballot this year includes state-level races, including that for governor and secretary of state, plus local races and a record-tying number of ballot questions, nine in total.
Among the voters who spoke with GKM about ballot questions eight and nine were those who supported the measures and those who opposed. A few residents also pointed towards ballot question two as a reason to vote, a measure they said they supported. If passed, the proposed law would permit employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Serves to form a union.
Resident Tom Lincoln said the ballot measures make this year’s election stand out.
Another resident, who declined to provide her name because she works for the government, said, “[The ballot questions are] all really important because they get to the heart of the issues Massachusetts residents are dealing with.”
For many Medford residents who voted today, heading to the polls has become a habit.
“I like the experience of voting,” said resident Stephanie Schorow. “I like walking into a polling place. This is such an important part of our duties as a citizen.”
Several residents, who said they usually vote, stressed the importance of this midterm specifically because of political tensions, the amount of ballot measures, and the opportunity to implement change.
Some community members said this year’s midterm felt different from past years. One resident attributed this to heightened emotions and rhetoric, while another pointed towards what they referred to as the heightened stakes.
Resident Jamie Yurasits, who has lived and voted in Medford for the past 25 years, said it felt more urgent to participate in this year’s elections because of the politics being pushed through the federal government, particularly those around immigration, economic power struggles, and inflation.
The majority of voters who spoke with GKM today said their vote went to the Democrats, while a few said they voted Republican.
Caleb Menkhus, who moved to Medford about three years ago, said even though a party flip in Massachusetts is unlikely, the political tensions across the nation have trickled down to the state.
Schorow said she’s never experienced a midterm election period as intensive as this year’s.
“We’re at a crossroads right now,” said lifelong resident Marianne Stanton. “Hopefully people will make the effort to go out and vote.”
