In response to questions I’ve seen in this newspaper and on social media, I’d like to offer some information about races on this year’s presidential primary ballot. Every four years (coinciding with the presidential primary) Massachusetts voters who take a Democratic ballot will also elect members of their local Democratic Party leadership. In Northampton, we will elect members of our Democratic Ward Committees. Individuals who have submitted nomination papers for the position of Ward Committee member will be listed on the ballot. Voters may vote for any or all of the nominees, up to the allotted limit of 35. Write-in votes also are permitted. Surrounding towns will similarly elect members of their own Democratic Town Committees on this ballot.Ward and Town Committees are the heart of grassroots organizing in the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

In Northampton, all seven Ward Committees work together as the Northampton Democratic City Committee. We elect delegates to our annual state conventions and coordinate advocacy, visibility, and campaign for Democrats up and down the ticket in Massachusetts. Additionally, our door-knocking, phone-banking, and postcard-writing efforts have been pivotal in securing Democratic victories in other states. Registered Democrats are invited to join Ward Committees at any time during the year. For more information contact Northampton Democratic City Committee Chair, Catherine Kay at ndcc.chair@gmail.com.

Catherine Kay, chair of the Northampton Democratic City Committee

Florence