STATE PRIMARY POLLS OPEN UNTIL 8 PM

By Susan Ovans

Today is the state primary election. Secretary of State William Galvin forecasts that less than 10 percent of registered voters statewide will go to the polls.
That number may be significantly higher in Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, and North Scituate, where five candidates are mounting write-in campaigns to replace veteran state representative Garrett Bradley, who resigned his seat last month.
Bradley's resignation came after the deadline to withdraw had passed. Voters who take a Democratic ballot will see his name on the ballot, but Bradley says he will decline the nomination if he wins today.
Two former Hull selectmen–John Brannan and Joan Meschino–are among the five running a write-in (also known as a sticker) campaign for state rep.
Brannan is a Republican. Meschino is a Democrat.
The winners of each party's election will compete in the November general election. There may also be a third nominee, from the United Independent party, if Cohasset's Keri Thompson secures enough votes to earn her place on the November ballot.
The polls at the Memorial School, 81 Central Ave., are open until 8 p.m.
To vote for a write-in candidate for state representative, you must find a campaign worker at the polls who has stickers, or you can "write in" your candidate's name and address on the STATE REPRESENTATIVE line. THEN YOU MUST FILL IN THE OVAL NEXT TO THE NAME (or sticker).
Here are the names and addresses as listed on the candidates' websites. [Kristen Arute's has no address listed. Keri Thompson instructs supporters to write in her name, followed by Cohasset.]
DEMOCRATS
• Stephen Burm, 5 Pine Grove Rd., Hingham
• Joan Meschino, 1 Bradford Ave., Hull
REPUBLICANS
• Kristen Arute, Hingham
• John Brannan, 11 Merrill Rd., Hull
UNITED INDEPENDENT PARTY
• Keri Thompson, Cohasset
Because the primary election falls on a Thursday this year instead of the regular Tuesday, many voters aren't aware that the polls are open today. And write-in campaigns are notoriously difficult.
The candidates have worked hard in the few weeks since Bradley announced his departure to make themselves known to the Third Plymouth District electorate. Please reward them for their efforts. Vote today. ∞