Politics & Government

Who's Who and Where to Vote in State Rep Special Election

Here's your local guide to the State Representative special election on April 2.

Peabody holds its special election Tuesday to determine the city's next representative on Beacon Hill.

In the 12th Essex District, which represents Ward 1 through 4 and Precinct 1 and 3 in Ward 5, there are three candidates vying for the seat left open by the death of Joyce Spiliotis last year.

Republican Leah Cole, who defeated Greg Bunn in a party primary last month, now goes toe-to-toe with Democrat Beverley Griffin Dunne and unenrolled candidate Dave Gravel.

Find out what's happening in Peabodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gravel will appear on Tuesday's ballot as an Independent, says City Clerk Tim Spanos.

The March 5 primary saw just a 6 percent turnout with Dunne claiming the most votes -- 606, while Cole narrowly edged Bunn out of the running, 512-460.

Find out what's happening in Peabodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As an unenrolled candidate, Gravel did not officially appear on a ballot, although 36 voters did write his name in on Democratic ballots.

Spanos is hoping for a decent turnout Tuesday among the 27,377 voters eligible to hit the polls in the district. "I don't think it's going to be stupendous, but hopefully 20 percent," he said, settling on a prediction last week.

With two of the candidates in the three-way race holding strong name recognition in Peabody, he anticipates that will draw out some amount of voters.

A single ballot will list the candidates in alphabetical order as follows:

Leah V. Cole 369 Lynnfield Street Republican Beverley A. Griffin Dunne 10 Colfax Street Democrat David C. Gravel 20 Tara Road Independent

Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Polls are located at the following places identified in the chart. If you don't know which precinct you're in, call the City Clerk's office at 978-538-5756.

Ward 1


1-1
Saint Ann's Church 140 Lynn St.
1-2
Woodbridge Assisted Living 240 Lynnfield St.
1-3
Saint Ann's Church 140 Lynn St.
Ward 2


2-1
Welch School 50 Swampscott Ave. 2-2 Welch School 50 Swampscott Ave. 2-3 South School 16 Maple St. Ext. Ward 3

3-1 Our Lady of Fatima Church 50 Walsh Ave. 3-2 Our Lady of Fatima Church 50 Walsh Ave. 3-3 Wilson Terrace Rec Hall 15A Wilson Ter. Ward 4

4-1 Higgins Middle School 1 King St. Ext. 4-2 Higgins Middle School 1 King St. Ext. 4-3
Peabody Vets Memorial High School
485 Lowell St. 4-3A Macintosh Clubhouse 300 Brooksby Village Dr. Ward 5

5-1 Kiley School 21 Johnson St. 5-3 McCarthy School 76 Lake St.


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