Election Central

Voters Advance Duff to Register of Deeds and Zeigler as Her Successor on Governor’s Council

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Two well-known women were lifted by voters Tuesday to new government seats—Governor’s Councilor Eileen R. Duff to Southern Essex Register of Deeds and former Methuen Councilor Eunice D. Zeigler as Duff’s successor on the Governor’s Council. Duff, who spoke to WHAV by telephone, described new technological challenges at the Registry of Deeds. “This is the first time in 45 years there’s been a new register. There’s going to be a lot of new things to learn for both me and the staff because we’re entering a whole, brand-new time with AI and the advent of mortgage fraud at the highest rate it’s ever been. I’m looking forward to getting to work on those issues.

Beacon Hill News

Voters Give State Auditor Diana DiZoglio Landslide Victory to Examine Legislature

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State Auditor Diana DiZoglio won overwhelming voter approval to regularly audit the legislature, while it remains to be seen what Senate and House leaders might do to nullify the public’s choice. The landslide victory—roughly 2.1 million votes in favor to 842,000 against with 88% of the vote counted, crossed party lines. It delivers former state Sen. and Rep. DiZoglio, a sweeping charge that goes beyond simply looking at spending. The ballot question requires the state auditor to “audit the accounts, programs, activities and functions directly related to the aforementioned accounts of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions and activities of the commonwealth, including those of districts and authorities created by the general court and the general court itself, and including those of the income tax division of the department of revenue…”

“I am a believer in the power of government to do amazing things—to make life better for everyone, everywhere,” said DiZoglio. “I have seen that power first hand, but I’ve also seen the work that remains to build a state government that lives up to its values.

Election Central

Few Contested Local Races, But Presidential Race Driving Expected Record Voter Turnout

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It’s Election Day nationwide with the contest between former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, garnering the most attention. A couple of Massachusetts races, a few north of the border and some contentious ballot questions also promise great interest. Locally, for those who didn’t vote early or by mail-in or absentee ballot, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After polls close tonight, WHAV listeners will hear CBS News reports on the hour, covering the presidential race and the balance of power in Congress, while, by special arrangement, Associated Press vote counts for president and state race calls, contested local races and the results of the ballot questions appear at WHAV.net. Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin said Monday morning that he expects record voter turnout, exceeding the almost 3.7 million voters who went to the polls in 2020. Galvin said the presidential race is likely what’s driving so many people to the polls.

Beacon Hill News

DiZoglio Addresses Boxford Republicans, Comes Away with Question 1 Backing

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Boxford Republicans last Wednesday voted to endorse a ballot initiative which would allow the state auditor to audit the legislature. The Boxford Republican Town Committee voted unanimously to endorse the question after state Auditor Diana DiZoglio visited several area Republican committees to speak on the initiative. Voters will decide Tuesday whether to approve Question 1, which would give the state auditor the explicit authority to audit the legislature. DiZoglio, a Methuen native, was fondly called one of their “favorite Democrats” by multiple attendees. “We are putting on the ballot, to all of you, language that simply includes the words ‘including the General Court,’” she said.