Grafton’s Town Election is Tuesday: Here’s what you need to know

It’s finally come down to this: Grafton goes to the polls on Tuesday to decide the makeup of the Select Board and School Committee.

Let’s catch up before you head out and vote.

When do the polls open and where the heck are they?

Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at both Millbury Street Elementary School (Precincts 4 and 5) and Grafton Middle School (Precincts 1, 2, 3). Report to your precinct and provide your street address to be presented with a ballot. Fill in the bubbles corresponding with your choice, turn in your ballot, and smugly wear your “I voted” sticker for the rest of the day.

Where do I vote?

Before you go to the polls, better double-check your precinct.

Grafton has changed its voting precincts as a result of population changes from the 2020 Federal Census. For many voters, but not all, the precinct number has changed. 

View the 2022 Precinct Street List below for changes. Voters with precinct or polling place changes will receive a notice confirming this.

Precinct 1, 2, and 3 will continue to vote at the Grafton Middle School and precincts 4 and 5 will continue to vote at the Millbury Street Elementary School for Election Day voting.

Not sure about where to vote? Check the precinct list, below.

Who is on the ballot and where can I find out about them?

There are two seats up on the Select Board, where both Peter Carlson and Doreen DeFazio are declining to see re-election.

• Ann Marie Foley, who has served on multiple town committees, specializing in recreation and environmental projects.
• Finance Committee member Andy Jefferson; 
• Richard Whitney, a current member of the Community Preservation Commission and a retired businessman;
• Carl Palmer, a senior cybersecurity analyst.

There are three School Committee seats on the ballot and incumbent Jennifer Connelly is not seeking re-election.

• Incumbent Amy Marr is seeking re-election to her three-year seat;
• Liora Bram, a communications and marketing professional who serves as co-chair of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee;
• Craig Juelis, a former principal in Medway and North Attleboro, has declared for a three-year seat;
• Stacie Norton Bennett, a former teacher and director of programming and youth services for the Salvation Army in Worcester, has declared for a three-year seat.

But wait! We also have several races that are uncontested!

• Town Clerk Kandy Lavallee has returned papers for what may be her final election — the town is considering making her position appointed rather than elected.
• David Robbins and Prabhu Balaji Venkataraman are seeking re-election to the Planning Board.
• Dana Wilson, who is seeking re-election, and John Paul Bubriski are running for the Board of Library Trustees;
• Mariagraciela Vargas-Baker, who was appointed to the School Committee in February, is running for the one year remaining in the term of Rahul Rathi, who resigned in December.

When can I expect results?

Polls close at 8 p.m. and anyone who is still waiting in line when the doors close are allowed to vote.

The ballots are counted on-site by machine, including absentee ballots. The unofficial vote tally — a piece of ticker tape — is then pasted up at the precinct. Since there are five precincts, two buildings, and there may be the inevitable paper jam, you’ll frequently see people from various campaigns calling in their numbers and frantically doing math.

Unofficial results will be posted on Grafton Common as soon as possible, dependent on wi-fi access. They will update throughout the night.

The Town Clerk’s office will be closed on Wednesday due to staffing and the need to certify the election count.

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