Deadline to Register for Primary is Wednesday

This Wednesday, August 25, is the last day to register or change your party enrollment for the state primary, which takes place on Sep. 14. The Winchester Town Clerk's Office will be open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

As far as the Winchester officials go, none of the local candidates will be competing in a primary. Current State Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) will only face competition from outside her party in Dave Carnevale (R-Medford).

For the state representative seat, Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) will have to hold onto to his seat by defeating George Georgountzos (R-Stoneham) and Michael Rotondi (I-Stoneham). However, there are plenty of statewide primaries going.

For democrats, the state treasurer position between Steven Grossman (D-Newton) and Stephen Murphy (D-Boston) will be decided. And Republicans in town will have a decision to make for Congress as the winner between Gerry Dembrowski (R-Woburn) and Thomas Tierney (R-Framingham) will face off in the November elections against Edward Markey (D-Malden).

Under Massachusetts primary rules, registered Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians must vote in the primary with their party's ballot. Unenrolled voters can choose to vote in either one of the three primaries.

"The unaffiliated or independent voter can vote in the democratic or republican primary," Lannon said. "You don't have to be enrolled in the party. In years past when you selected a primary to vote in you were automatically enrolled in that party and to get out you would have to go to the Town Clerk's office. This is more convenient to people and it's all about getting people out to the polls."

For more information, call Winchester Town Clerk and Acting Town Manager Mary Ellen Lannon at 781-721-7130