Welcome to 2012- a Presidential Election Year

February 15 Last Day to Register for MA Primary

– Allison Goldsberry

With all the talk about which Republican will come out on top in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire presidential primary, Massachusetts political junkies are probably wondering when they can officially get into the action.

According to Secretary of State William Galvin, February 15 is the last day to register to vote and also to switch party affiliations to be eligible to vote in the March 6 presidential primary.

In Massachusetts, unlike many other states, independents (or voters not enrolled in a party) can participate in the primary election. Choosing a particular ballot no longer will automatically enroll a voter in that party.

For information on how to register to vote in Medford (it’s quick and easy), visit the Registrar of Voters webpage or call 781-393-2491.

Former MA governor Mitt Romney, running for the Republican presidential nomination for the second time, appears poised to do well in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

In the 2008 presidential primary, about half of Medford’s registered voters came out to the polls. Medford voters favored Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama by an almost 2-to-1 margin at the time.

In the 2008 presidential election, a record number of voters turned out in Medford- 78%- to participate. Medford voters overwhelmingly favored Obama over Republican presidential nominee John McCain.