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Massachusetts, Vermont Vote in Presidential Primary Tuesday

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Voters in Massachusetts and Vermont will finally get their chance to weigh in on the candidates running for party nominations for president. 
 
They'll have a long list of candidates to chose from on the Democratic side but recent events have whittled active campaigns down to just five.
 
As of Monday afternoon, only former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts' own U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren are still in it to win. In Vermont, the Democratic candidates also include Mark Stewart of Farmington, Conn.
 
The number of failed campaigns is much longer, with both South Bend, Idaho, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar joining the also-rans after disappointing performances in the South Carolina primary. Those who dropped out before South Carolina are former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, former U.S. HUD Secretary Julian Castro, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Maryland U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and spiritual author Marianne Williamson.
 
Anyone eligible to vote in the Democratic primary can cast a ballot for any of the candidates listed, but voters should be aware if their preferred candidate is no longer in the race. The deadline for candidates to have their names added to the ballot was Jan. 3 and the last day to withdraw was Jan. 10. 
 
The March 3 primary is called "Super Tuesday" because 14 states and commonwealths will be deciding how 1,375 delegates will be apportioned. In addition to Massachusetts and Vermont, voters in Alabaman, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Utah will be casting ballots. 
 
Polls in Massachusetts are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find out where your polling station is here. It's suggested you bring an ID if you're voting for the first time, your registration has been inactive, there may be some question to your status or you have to complete a provisional ballot. Check if you're registered to vote here.
 
In Massachusetts, registered voters enrolled in political parties can only vote in that party's primary. Unenrolled voters can chose one primary in which to participate: Democratic, Republican, Green-Rainbow or Libertarian.
 
Polls in Vermont can open anytime between 5 a.m. and 10 am. and are open until 7 p.m.
 
Vermont has open primaries so any registered voter can select any one primary to vote in; Vermont is holding only Democratic and Republican primaries.
 
Below is a list of other Massachusetts primary candidates.
 
Democratic
State Committeeman Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District: Sherwood Guernsey II
State Committeewoman Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District: Marietta Rapetti Cawse
 
Republican
President: President Donald Trump, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, perennial candidate Roque "Rocky" de la Fuente of California; Joe Walsh's name is still on the ballot in Massachusetts but he has dropped out.
 
State Committeeman Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District: Michael F. Case and Tyler James Hastings
State Committeewoman Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District: Robin S. Almgren and Christine M. Canning
 
Green Rainbow
President: Dario Hunger, Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza-Curry, Kent Mesplay and Howard Hawkins
 
Libertarian
President: Arvin Vohra, Vermin Love Supreme, Jacob George Hornberger, Samuel Joseph Robb, Dan Taxation Is Theft Behrman, Kimberly Margaret Ruff, Kenneth Reed Armstrong, Adam Kokesh, Jo Jorgensen and Max Abramson

Tags: election 2020,   primary,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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