Better Ballot Bill Update,Latest Boston Globe Reporting on Marilyn Devaney, Mass Dems Convention, Upcoming Parties, and a Parade!
Hi Everyone,
From marching in the biggest Labor Day parade in Massachusetts to support Sam Perlman for mayor of Marlborough to testifying at the State House on a bill to clarify the ballot for Governor's Council races, upcoming parties, and the Mass Dems convention, September, 2023 has been outstanding!
I'm very pleased to let you know that the bill to change our ballots from reading simply "Councillor" to "Governor's Councillor" will be heard at the State House on September 19th! I will be there to testify as to the importance of this bill. In the last primary, 19,000 voters in this district went to the polls but did not vote in this race. We will never know how many would have voted if the ballot had been clearer, but we do know that every lost vote hurts our democracy. I thank State Senator Mike Barrett and State Rep. Simon Cataldo for being lead sponsors of this potentially very impactful bill. Please let me know if you'd like to help support the bill, and I will send you all the information.
The Boston Globe just published a story on the most recent meeting of the Governor's Council. It underscores what this race is really about: competence, character, and conduct. Marilyn Devaney continues to make clear that she is not what we need on the Governor's Council. Enough.
Come join us in Lexington for a house party this Tuesday, September 19th from 5-7! Thank you so much to the incredible host committee, including Senator Mike Barrett, Rep. Michelle Ciccolo, Former Rep. Jay Kaufman, Margaret Coppe, Stan Griffith and Ann Schauffler, Fred Johnson, Pete Kovner, and Eileen Zalisk. The address will be provided when you RSVP here. We have more coming up, in Newton and Concord in October, and Weston in November, so watch here for more info!
My letter to the editor of the Boston Globe ran in response to their editorial on the Parole Board. I wrote it to help voters understand the role of the Governor's Council in choosing our Parole Board members.
It is critically important that the people of Massachusetts understand how powerful the Governor's Council is, and how we must elect the best people for the job. Remember the 19,000 voters who went to the polls last September to vote but did not vote in this race. We have to reach those voters, and I can't do it without you. Please make a contribution, and give what you can. It will go a very long way.
The Mass Dems convention will take place in Lowell on September 23, 2023. Thank you to all the delegates who took the time to run so that they could be a part of this. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you! As for everyone else, I hope to see you very soon too!
Take Care,
Mara
