October 3, 2024
Show your support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz with a yard sign. We have six available, and ask for a contribution of $10 to cover the cost of the signs.
If interested, please email contact@topsfielddems.org and we'll arrange to deliver your sign (first come, first serve).
Please visit the Topsfield Town Clerk's 2024 Elections page to review the sample ballots for Precincts 1 and 2, and to make a plan to vote. The election is competitive, not just at the presidential level but down ballot as well. There are also five ballot questions.
Aug 26, 2024
State Representative Kristen Kassner (Topsfield Pct 1) and US Senator Elizabeth Warren held a joint canvassing event on August 24, 2024 as part of their re-election efforts. Both are uncontested in the Democratic Primary on September 3 but will face Republican challengers in the General Election on November 5. Deadlines for registration and ballot access by mail or in-person early voting are available at the Topsfield Town Clerk's webpage.
Elizabeth Warren reminded us about key legislation signed into law by President Biden since 2021. Democrats, with some Bipartisan cooperation in the 117th Congress yielded the following:
Senator Warren also stressed the importance of having state and local partners to advance important policy initiatives.
Elect public servants who take their oath to serve us seriously. Bipartisanship can work to improve our lives.
Jul 28, 2024
You've made important decisions about where to attend college. Another decision about your future requires action as well.
Do you know your voter registration status? You can check it here.
The MA State Primaries are September 3, 2024, where Democratic candidates for US Senator, US Representative, Governor's Councillor, State Senator, State Representative (Second Essex/Thirteenth Essex) are uncontested. There are contested races for Register of Deeds (Essex Southern District), and Clerk of Courts (Essex County).
There is a contested race for Republican candidate for US Senator to determine who will challenge US Senator Elizabeth Warren in the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Massachusetts Vote by Mail applications are available now. The application will provide an option to mail the MA ballot for the primaries and/or the General Election to your campus address. In-person Early Voting for the State Primary is available from Saturday August 24th through Friday August 30.
The General Election on November 5th will determine the next President of the United States, as well as the down ballot races decided in the primaries, and ballot questions.
College students who are attending college in states other than Massachusetts may want to consider how their vote for President and other federal offices will have the most impact. You may want to register in that state. Voting eligibility rules and deadlines for registration vary by state. Visit the Secretary of State's office in that state for complete rules and deadlines. Your campus may also have resources. All In To Vote, which is part of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge provides links to resources specific to your campus residency.
Have a wonderful semester, and don't forget to VOTE!
Jun 23, 2024
by Joel Hariton, Topsfield Democratic Town Committee member
A team of advisors to the Republican Presidential campaign led by The Heritage Foundation is finalizing a program of revising government should Donald Trump be inaugurated. It is called Project 2025 and according to their website:
The project will create a playbook of actions to be taken in the first 180 days of the new Administration to bring quick relief to Americans suffering from the Left's devastating policies.
According to an article published in USA Today on June 10, 2024, among many other things, "The playbook calls for the reinstatement of a Trump executive order augmenting a president's power to hire and fire federal officials by replacing civil servants with political appointees throughout government."
Taking most of the non-political civil service organizations within the government and making them reward centers for people loyal to the President, no matter whether they have the required expertise or not, is of particular concern to me because of an experience I had in Latin America about 35 years ago.
In the late 1980s, as Chief Technical Officer of an international telecommunications start up firm, I flew to Paraguay alone to begin work on the first cellular phone system in that country. We had to win the license from the government and win the backing of the existing government-owned land line phone company. I had to find someone that I could trust to implement my network design. This person must also have the skills to lead the day-to-day running of the system as I worked simultaneously on many such projects around the world. The last point was a real challenge. When no cellular operation exists in a country, no one has the skill set needed.
On my first full day in the capital, Asunción, I met with our local business partner, Angel. He introduced me to Rodolpho, who Angel thought would be an excellent candidate for my local Chief Engineer. Rodolpho certainly had excellent management experience, along with the needed contacts at the phone company, having already arranged meetings to discuss interconnection there. He had read all he could on the new cellular technology, and seemed to be genuinely interested in learning how he could contribute to the implementation of a network for the capital city, Asunción, and Ciudad del Este (eastern city), the two cities where we launched service about 10 months later.
I asked Rodolpho about his experience, and he told me that until recently, he was in charge of all radio, navigational, radar and avionics at the Asunción International Airport, but he was fired because a new President of Paraguay was elected, and he was in the wrong political party. What! I had just landed at the airport. Who is running the communication systems there now? "Oh," Rodolpho replied, "a political appointee of the new President who has no knowledge of the complex systems there. Some of my technicians are still there, but they have no management capabilities and little analytical experience. So, as long as nothing complicated fails, you should be fine for your take off when you leave."
I could not believe that such a critical function as management of all the complex systems at an airport could be determined by political party affiliation. Could this happen with American airport radio and landing support systems management under Project 2025? Yes. It would take us to the level of Paraguay in the late 1980s. Not a banana republic, but a place where cronyism and incompetence endangered all inhabitants.
It took a while for Paraguay to shake off those tightly entwining political bonds which held back development for decades. Why would we want that way of operating government here? There are numerous civil servants that we do not know are helping us every day until a mistake is made, or emulation of the old Paraguayan management model creates a disaster. I worked with Rodolpho well, and we succeeded in building a reliable cellular service. We never discussed politics.
Jun 8, 2024
Topsfield DTC member Jeanne Pickering will participate in events celebrating the local history of Juneteenth.
May 7, 2024
Members of the Topsfield Democratic Town Committee look forward to joining the Tri-Town Pride Parade again this year on June 2, 2024. Please visit the Topsfield Democratic Town Committee's table on the Common after the Parade.
April 26, 2024
Thanks to the League of Women Voters of the North Shore for sponsoring Topsfield's Candidates Night on 4/9/24. You can watch the event on Topsfield Cable on Demand before voting on May 9. The Select Board has three candidates hoping to earn your votes for two open seats. There are also two ballot questions that require your votes.
February 7, 2024
You will only receive a ballot if you completed and returned an application to the Topsfield Town Clerk's office.
Not sure of the status of your ballot? Visit Secretary of the Commonwealth's Voter Resources to track your ballot, or for any information about your status to vote in any upcoming 2024 elections!
February 7, 2024
Topsfield Democrats will hold a caucus on to elect four Delegates and four Alternates to the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. This is an in-person event at the Little Brook Village Community Building, 69 Washington Street, Topsfield. Doors open 30 minutes before the designated start time. (Parking is limited to the roadway leading into LBV. The lot is reserved for LBV residents.)
You must be a registered or pre-registered Topsfield Democrat to be eligible to run as, and/or vote for, Delegates and Alternates. Eligibility for pre-registration requires that an individual will be at least age 16 by February 15, 2024. Two male, two female, or non-binary gender are sought for election.
The Convention will take place on Saturday, June 1st at the DCU Center in Worcester to nominate the candidate for the US Senate seat currently held by Elizabeth Warren.
The Democratic Committee welcomes all eligible participants. Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are not elected at the caucus may apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or at www.massdems.org.
Please contact Topsfield Democratic Committee Chair Heidi Fox at contact@topsfielddems.org for additional information.
December 7, 2023
Please visit the Topsfield Town Clerk's official Election and Voter Registration webpage.
May 17, 2023
Members of the Topsfield Democratic Town Committee look forward to joining the Tri-Town Pride Parade to march with DTC members from Boxford and Middleton and members of our MA State delegation.
Please visit the Topsfield Democratic Town Committee's table on the Common after the Parade. Consider joining us at our Caucus on June 3rd or learn how to apply to attend the MA Democratic Party's Convention as an add-on delegate. The Massachusetts Democratic Party strives to ensure delegate representation that reflects the whole community, and thus has a number of add-on delegate seats, chosen by the Democratic State Committee, in the following categories: Disabled, Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Youth (16 to 35 years old), and LGBTQ+. Please take this opportunity to participate in the adoption of the MA Democratic Party Agenda and/or Platform at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on September 23rd.
February 10, 2023
The Special Committee of the House to Examine the Returns of the Votes for Representative in the Several Representative Districts of the Commonwealth Relative to the Second Essex District released their report on January 31, 2023, and the House voted to accept the report on February 1st. Kristin Kassner was sworn in as the Representative of the Second Essex District on February 3rd.
We congratulate Representative Kristin Kassner and thank Representative Leonard Mirra for his service to his district, of which Topsfield was not previously a part.
The 451-page document, including all supporting evidence, and the votes by the House can be accessed here. The Committee considered the candidates and the voters in rendering its final decision. "We the People" prevailed. The Massachusetts State House Representatives realized they could not overrule the voters, no matter how slim the margin.
The Topsfield DTC reiterates its position that process matters as much as outcome. Election integrity starts with our vote, and our obligation to make our selections clear so that our votes are counted. Our election officials have clear and consistent rules by which they impartially and completely count all votes in which the intent of the voter is clear.
The district-wide hand recount was initiated and conducted in accordance with procedures established by state law, court decisions and customs developed from practical experience. Mr. Mirra testified that he wanted it understood that the election was not stolen, and there was no conspiracy involved (page 418). However, after the Majority issued their report, Mr. Mirra was quoted in the press and social media as describing the Committee's refusal to review the contested ballots blatantly partisan and corrupt. His comments perpetuate any public suspicion about the integrity of the process. Mr. Mirra cannot have it both ways.
The Majority Report's Findings and Conclusions (page 8 of 451) highlight the need for continued close review and updates of the current regulations, training, policies, and practices of elections. We agree, and our Town Clerks and Boards of Registrars must have the resources to account for every ballot.
A one vote margin need not be treated with suspicion, but rather affirmation that EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
January 9, 2023
Redistricting divided Topsfield into two State Rep districts, and on January 4, 2023, we congratulated Sally Kerans as Precinct 2's Representative in the 13th Essex District. We await Kristin Kassner's swearing in as Precinct 1's Representative in the 2nd Essex District.
Rep. Kassner's election did not end on November 8, 2022. Her election serves as a reminder of the importance of every vote. It serves to remind us of our obligation to make our selections clear so that our vote is counted. Election integrity starts with us, the impartiality of our election officials, a paper trail, and, when warranted, a legal process by which election results may be contested.
The Topsfield Democratic Town Committee has been following the post-election process. After the close of polls on November 8, the unofficial vote count in the 2nd Essex communities of Georgetown, Hamilton, Ipswich, Newbury, Rowley, and Topsfield Precinct 1, gave Republican challenger Lenny Mirra the lead by 99 votes. Ballots postmarked by November 8 narrowed Mirra's lead to 10 votes on November 15. Kassner petitioned for a district-wide hand recount, which was completed the week of December 5-8.
A hand recount was conducted by local election officials and witnessed by volunteers and legal counsel from both campaigns. Each ballot was reviewed to discern the intent of the voter. Each candidate's team had the right to challenge the Board of Registrar's final determination on specific ballots. These ballots were set aside for a formal Court challenge. The recount identified Kristin Kassner's election by one vote. The recount was certified on December 14.
Lenny Mirra filed a challenge in Superior Court on December 21. His complaint was dismissed on December 29, and he filed an appeal on December 30, 2022. All documents are available on https://www.masscourts.org/. On January 3, 2023, the Appellate Court denied Mirra's motion for injunctive relief (https://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/docket/2022-J-0740), as did the Supreme Judicial Court on January 4, 2023 (https://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/docket/SJ-2023-0004).
At the Inaugural Session of the 193rd House of Representatives on January 4, House Speaker Mariano announced the appointment of a Special Committee to Examine the Returns, and delayed swearing in Representative-Elect Kassner. The three-member Special Committee recommended that Lenny Mirra remain a "holdover" representative until the Special Committee performs it review and issues its report. The Special Committee will hold a public hearing on January 13 at 10 AM and have invited the candidates and their legal counsel to appear to offer testimony and to answer questions from its members.
Process matters as much as outcome. We hope for an expeditious review, so that the communities in the 2nd Essex are represented in the State House by their duly elected representative. Our representative's oath assures that they will make every effort to listen to, and represent, the needs of all their constituents, regardless of party affiliation. We wish them well.
November 1, 2022
The Town Clerk's office received three, state of the art, voting machines this year. They still take paper ballots as before, but work faster. The machines give the voter more control as the ballot is inserted, if needed. The machines will alert the voter to obvious marking format mistakes, and offer to return the ballot for corrections.
On Halloween, members of the Topsfield Democratic Town Committee and Topsfield Republican Town Committee both witnessed the full testing of the machines. It turned out not to be scary at all! All present were quite satisfied that these machines work accurately.
One machine will be used for Topsfield Precinct 1, and another for Topsfield Precinct 2. The third is for a spare. All have battery back up power included for further integrity and safety.
October 28, 2022
Topsfield is now divided into two PRECINCTS by street address. The Map can be found here. You can also confirm your precinct here.
Our current State Representative, Jamie Belsito, is not running for re-election.
A sample ballot will identify the candidates running in your district and is available on the Topsfield Town Clerk's webpage.
The last day to REGISTER to Vote in the November 8, 2022 election is October 29 - Online voter registration available at the MA Secretary of State website.
Polling location for both precincts will remain at St. Rose Church Hall.
Click here for links to all the Democratic candidates' websites.
July 19, 2022
Fellow voters, your Topsfield Democratic Town Committee fully supports the work of the US House of Representatives January 6th Committee. We feel the work of democracy requires a full, dispassionate, and truthful investigation of the violent efforts to delay the peaceful transfer of Federal Executive powers to a duly elected President. We encourage all citizens to make their voices heard at the ballot box this November.
June 12, 2021
A recording of the Topsfield Elections Information Night webinar is now available.
May 6, 2021
An interesting article from the New York Times:
Republicans and Democrats are increasingly alienated from one another, rhetorically and geographically. Measure your own political isolation with this tool from The New York Times's Opinion section.
April 14, 2021
John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate reminds us that change starts at the local level.
Learn what you can do to help save our river!
March 19, 2021
Debate is good for our democracy. But can Senators discipline
themselves to change the filibuster to encourage reasonable
debate?
EXPLAINER: What's the Senate filibuster and why change it? by Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press.
January 7, 2021
On January 3, 2021, members of the 117th Congress took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. On January 6, 2021, enemies of the peaceful transfer of power, incited by the President and his enablers, violently disrupted the business of government on behalf of one man. The insurrection by a mob was reinforced by a wayward wing of the Republican party, who attempted to use its power to legitimize the President's claims of a stolen election.
When the Senate reconvened at 8PM, we witnessed bipartisanship as it could and should be – a reflection on the fragility of our Republic, and our obligation to defend it. The acceptance of the incoming Biden-Harris administration, early in the morning of January 7, 2021, illustrated swift corrective actions by a non-partisan majority of the 117th Congress. This is only the first such corrective action needed by this new Congress.
The January 5th Georgia runoff also means a peaceful transfer of power to a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress. We expect the Democratic majority to use its power responsibly and in the service of the advancement of justice.
Further Reading:
The definition of insurrection
A sorry spectacle we all knew was coming - What did they think was going to happen?
by Yvonne Abraham Globe Columnist, January 6, 2021, 7:38 p.m.
A Statement from The Lincoln Project
Trump's Reckoning, and America's - Letter from Trump's Washington by Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, January 7, 2021
December 11, 2020
The Georgia runoff election has gained national attention because it will determine the political party that will control the Senate. Ultimately, Georgians will elect their Senators, but What If Neither Political Party Controlled the Senate? Our own Vice Chair, Joel Hariton, contributed to this piece, written by his college friend, Fred Unger. With the Senate so evenly divided, perhaps this is the moment to attempt a change like Fred suggests.