NORTHAMPTON — Residents will head to the polls Thursday for the first round of votes to determine a new at-large city councilor.
Blue DuVal, Ryan O’Donnell, Marlene A. Morin and Andrew B. Smith are the four candidates vying for the at-large seat vacated by Jesse Adams.
The results of Thursday’s election will narrow the pool to two candidates who will advance to a final election Aug. 4.
City Clerk Wendy Mazza said Wednesday she cannot determine the cost of the special election until the bills come in. But in May, Mazza told the Gazette she expects the cost will be close to $20,000.
Every precinct in the city will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the preliminary election.
While it’s too late to register to vote for Thursday’s election, there is still time for residents to register for the Aug. 4 final election. The last day to register for the final election is July 14.
The Board of Registrars will be open until 8 p.m. to register voters on that date.
Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Northampton, Florence and Leeds post offices and must be received or postmarked by Thursday to be in effect in time for the election.
Voters may register online at www.mass.gov/elections. To register online, you must have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. For people with a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card, an online voter registration application is available to register, update an address or change party affiliation. Online forms must be submitted by midnight July 14.
For further information or to verify voter registration status and polling location, call the Northampton Board of Registrars at 587-1290 or 587-1291.