ATHOL – A steady number of voters could be seen at Athol Town Hall Tuesday morning for the November general election, casting their votes for local and state officials and the nine ballot questions.
“I can tell you we had 740 early in-person votes cast,” said Athol Town Clerk Nancy Burnham, adding that including mail-in ballots, over 1,700 people voted before Election Day.
Voters in Athol and Royalston declined to speak on who they voted for, but most indicated it was an overall need for change that drew them to the polls.
Forrest Petrell cast his vote in Athol, having moved to town only seven months ago. He said his decision to vote was ‘nothing more than to fulfill my duty, to perform a service. I try to vote as often as I can. But there was no particular ballot question or candidate that really prompted me to vote.”
“These are complex issues,” said Bonnie Benjamin, who was with her husband Al on their way into Athol Town Hall, referring to the ballot questions. “The easy one for us was Question 6, the one that has to do with nature and conserving land in our world, because when it’s gone, it’s gone.
“Talking about the questions,” Al Benjamin, who supported Question 9, said, “anytime we can do more to promote gun safety I’m all for it. I support gun safety.”
“I took my time and just wanted to make sure the state is headed in the right direction.”
Rober Lentner of Athol
In 2024, Gov. Maura Healey signed a sweeping overhaul of the state’s gun laws. The law, Chapter 135, restricted untraceable “ghost guns,” changed licensing and training requirements, and expanded access to extreme risk protection orders, which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed a danger to themselves or others. A “yes” vote would uphold the law, while a “no” vote would repeal it.
John Moore of Royalston would have been quick to disagree on Question 9. Moore said before entering Royalston Town Hall to vote that he was among those motivated to show up by the ballot question.
“I’m here to vote no on Question 9,” he said. “I don’t want to lose my right to own firearms.”
Rober Lentner of Athol said he was inspired to vote by the various ballot questions rather than a particular candidate.
“I took my time and just wanted to make sure the state is headed in the right direction,” he said.
As he headed into Athol Town Hall, Anthony Mambo told the Athol Daily News that he and his girlfriend Linda Change were voting because they want to see change happen.
“The way the economy is, it’s chaotic,” Mambo said. “And I want to have a say in how to change things for the better. The cost of living has gotten way out of line in the last few years.”
Mambo said he was particularly interested in Question 5, which would limit how much revenue the state can collect in any given year and would be voting “no.”
“I believe it’s a ploy by the wealthy to get around the millionaire’s tax,” he said. “That’s how I view it.”
Debra Lackey of Royalston said that she had made up her mind on the candidates and questions well ahead of Tuesday.
“I just figured it was time to do something and make a change,” she said. “I’ve been watching the news and staying informed, and I made my decision well before I got here.”
