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| By Michelle Symington Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD Ballot positions for the city's Nov. 8 general election, which were chosen through a lottery, have been announced by the City Clerk's Office. Diane Foley, city clerk, explained that West Springfield has used a lottery to choose the candidate order on a ballot since the community switched to a city form of government. "It is done in accordance with the charter," she said, adding that the lottery is used instead of placing the candidates names in alphabetical order or listing incumbents first. When asked if conducting a lottery matters in the large scheme of things, she said, "It does if you are a candidate." The ballot order is as follows: Mayor for two years, vote for one. Edward J. Gibson, candidate for re-election. Councilor at-large for two years, vote for five. George R. Kelly, candidate for re-election; Kathleen A. Bourque, candidate for re-election; Robert J. Vogel, Sr.; Paul H. Buodo, candidate for re-election; Ralph V. Shapiro; Brian J. Griffin; Gerard Matthews, candidate for re-election. District 1 Councilor (Precincts 1 and 2) Angus M. Rushlow, candidate for re-election. District 2 Councilor (Precincts 3 and 4) Cynthia J. Romaniak. District 3 Councilor (Precincts 5 and 6) Michael J. Finn, candidate for re-election; Robert M. Mancini. District 4 (Precincts 7 and 8) John R Sweeney. School Committee for two years, vote for six. Vernon T. Coleman; Nancy M. Farrell, candidate for re-election; Daniel G. Sullivan, candidate for re-election; Joseph Foresi, Jr., candidate for re-election; Peter O. Andrew, candidate for re-election; Patricia A. Garbacik, candidate for re-election; Kathleen Alevras, candidate for re-election. In addition to choosing city officials, voters will also have the opportunity to vote on eight ballot questions. Foley explained that the City Council is required to send a mailing to all registered voters which will include a report on the ballot questions and a copy of the questions. Copies of the ballot questions are also available in the Clerk's Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Foley said that it is difficult to predict what the voter turnout will be for the election in November, but said there should be an interest because there are races for Council at-large, District 3, and the School Committee. "People have clout. They should use it," she said. "This is their way of letting the government know how they feel about candidates and issues." Voters have until Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. to register to vote. When voters head to the polls next month, they will be using the city's new voting machines. Foley said that this will be the first time the machines will be used in a city election. They were used during the state and national elections last year. She explained that voters should bring an ID with them just in case they are asked to show it. Voters will check in, then will vote using a two-sided paper ballot. Once they complete the ballot, voters will check out and feed their ballot into the computer. Foley said that the major difference between the new and old voting machines is that the new equipment has a paper trail of each vote. She said that a paper trail could be a "good thing" if West Springfield ever encountered a problem like Florida did a few years ago when votes were miscalculated. She added, however, that the chances of such a problem are slim because the Commonwealth has updated equipment. "Massachusetts does stay on top of things," Foley said, adding that the Commonwealth has a "great" Secretary of State who makes sure communities have all of the updated equipment. On Nov. 8, the polls will be open from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Polling locations are as follows: District 1 Precincts 1 and 2 Senior Center, 128 Park Street District 2 Precinct 3 Grove Village Community Room, Grove Street; Precinct 4 Mittineague School, Second Street. District 3 Precinct 5 New Tatham School, 61 Laurel Road; Precinct 6 Mittineague Congregational Church. District 4 Precinct 7 Fausey School, 785 Amostown Road; Precinct 8 West Springfield High School, 425 Piper Road. |