Get ready to vote!

Dartmouth voters will vote for the democratic and republican candidates for the Bristol Ninth Bristol County District Representative in the upcoming contentious primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The primary election will determine which democratic and republican candidates will appear on the midterm election ballot. 

The midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

The two democratic candidates are Stephen J. Medeiros and Edward M. Pacheco. Medeiros has four issues he wants to focus on: relief on cost of living and everyday expenses; infrastructure that keeps up with growth; preserving the character, natural resources, farms and open space of Dartmouth; and fostering local small businesses and keeping money in town. Pacheco has a large number: out of control utility costs; educator recruitment/retention; aging wastewater and our water supply; open spaces/farmland preservation; affordable housing; healthcare; supporting individuals with disabilities; opposing data centers; 40B reforms; and ensuring that the residents surrounding the bike path in Dartmouth are heard.

The two republican candidates are  Henry George Bousquet and Chester Tam. Bousquet has five issues he would focus on: putting local families first; public safety; fiscal responsibility; support for local businesses; and education and workforce development. Tam has three issues he wants to focus on: lowering costs and economic opportunity; accountable and transparent government; and strong communities and public safety. 

Residents who are registered as democrats will receive a democratic ballot, and vote for the democratic candidate.  Residents who are registered as republicans will receive a republican ballot. 

Residents who are independent will be able to choose whichever party ballot.

Voting for residents of Precinct 9 has been moved to the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association Field House, located at 562 Russells Mills Road. 

Early voting began  Saturday, Aug. 22 and goes until Friday, Aug. 28 during Town Hall hours. 

During the primaries, residents will choose a candidate for a number of positions: Senator in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Congressional District 9, Councilor for the first district, Senator in General Court for the second Bristol and Plymouth district, Representative in Court for the ninth Bristol District, District Attorney of the Bristol District, Registrar of Probate for Bristol County, County Commissioner’s Bristol County and County Treasurer. 

Besides the race for State Representative, only three of the races are contested. Democrats Edward J. Markey and Seth Moulton are both running for Senator in Congress. The governor seat has Republicans Michael Roger Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve running. Democrats Bill Keating and Craig Swallow are competing for Congressional District 9. 

Whoever wins each party will face off against each other in the midterm elections.

Dartmouth voters will vote at the following locations: 

• Precinct No. 1 at North Branch Library, 211 Cross Road

• Precinct No. 2 at Smith Mills Church Fellowship Hall, 11 Anderson Way

• Precinct No. 3 at UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road

• Precinct No. 4 at Dartmouth Bible Church, 52 Morton Avenue

• Precinct No. 5 at Town Hall Building, 400 Slocum Road

• Precinct No. 6 at Council on Aging, 628 Dartmouth Street

• Precinct No. 7 at Dartmouth Youth Athletic Association (DYAA), 225 Russells Mills Road 

• Precinct No. 8 at Southworth Library, 732 Dartmouth Street

• Precinct No. 9 at Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association (DYSA) Fieldhouse, 580 Russells Mills Road