THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 26, 2025 Page 3 Rep. Wong supports moving 2026 state primary date to Sept. 1 Change will help massachusetts comply with state and federal ballot deadlines W ith the support of State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus), the House has given its approval to changing the date of the 2026 state primary from September 15 to September 1. The House endorsed the change in date on September 17. The proposal, House Bill 4531, on September 18 was passed by the Senate, enacted by the Legislature and laid before Governor Maura Healey for her signature and/or other actions. Representative Wong said that moving next year ’s scheduled primary date up by JUSTICE | FROM PAGE 2 ki, a Saugus Town Meeting member from Precinct 4 and a Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment board member; Mary Kinsell, a Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment board member; Carmen Osuna, a Lynn Environmental activist; and Evan Smith, a Lynn Environmental activist. two weeks will provide some fl exibility to help ensure that Massachusetts can meet all state and federal ballot deadlines, including a requirement that military personnel serving overseas receive an absentee ballot at least 45 days before the November 3, 2026, state election, pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Under current state law, the state primary must be held seven weeks prior to the biennial state election, as long as that date does not coincide with a religious holiday. The Board of Selectman Chair Debra Panetta, who is also president of the Saugus River Watershed Council, was unable to attend last week’s meeting. But she sent a letter to Belén Power expressing her concerns. “Many residents, including Town officials, have been requesting a final closure timeline of the WIN Waste Saugus ash landfill since 1996, which is when it was originally supDonald Wong State Representative posed to close. They have received numerous extenHouse proposal would set the new 2026 state primary date at nine weeks prior to the November election. According to Representative Wong, H.4531 establishes a deadline of September 3 for successful write-in or sticker candidates to fi le an acceptance of nomination to appear on the November ballot. In addition, the bill outlines the process for fi lling a vacancy that occurs in the event a candidate dies, withdraws or is ruled ineligible for the November ballot. Representative Wong noted that H.4531 also contains sions from the MA DEP, and they have no intention of provisions outlining the process for conducting recounts following the 2026 state primary. It requires recount petitions to be fi led by 5 p.m. on September 3, with local certifi cation due by noontime on September 4, and submission to the Secretary of State’s offi ce by 5 p.m. the same day. Under the bill, recounts must be completed and notification of the fi nal results issued by 5 p.m. on September 11. The bill requires two days’ notice to candidates on the date, time and location of the recount, with electronic notice deemed suffi cient. JUSTICE | SEE PAGE 4 A rare opportunity for first-time homebuyers to own an affordable condo in Malden! o own an affordable Affordable Homes for Sale in Malden! omes alden!!n!ldeenalden omes alden! ome Scan QR to apply APPLY ONLINE OR IN PERSON How to apply www.tndinc.org 4 Gerrish Ave Rear, Chelsea, MA 02150 Applications also available by mail or email. WHO CAN APPLY: First-Time Homebuyers Meet income & asset limits (see AMI chart) Assets must be under $75K for 80% AMI households. Assets must be under $150K for 100% AMI households. Restrictions Apply – Units have resale and use restrictions Questions or Accommodations? Call Winn Management: 617-884-0692 | TTY: 800-439-2370 CHECK INCOME LIMITS & PRICES BY HOUSEHOLD SIZE Please note: Deadline: Must be postmarked by October 2, 2025 mes 5 Newly Built Affordable Condos rdable Condos AVAILABLE BY LOTTERY pply APPLICATION PERIOD: Dates July 7, 2025 - October 2, 2025 INFO SESSIONS Where: Malden City Hall August 5, 2025 6PM September 4, 2025 6PM Lottery Date Thursday, October 16, 2025 (Attendance not required) A message from Revere environmental activist Loretta LaCentra and a photo of state Undersecretary for Environmental Justice & Equity María Belén Power meeting with a group of local leaders from three communities. This was taken from the Saugus, Revere & Lynn MA Residents Opposed to Wheelabrator Ash Expansion Facebook page. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) 272 Cross Street LLC and Winn Management do not discriminate because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, handicap, disability, national origin, genetic information, ancestry, children, familial status, marital status or public assistance recipiency in the sale or transfer of apartment units, buildings, and related facilities, including land that they own or control. Visit Our Website for more info www.tndinc.org Equal Housing Opportunity
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