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As the March 22 municipal election approaches, Winchester News — an independent nonprofit news organization covering the town of Winchester — has published its first comprehensive candidate guide, offering voters a detailed, nonpartisan resource to make informed decisions at the polls.
The new digital guide, available on the Winchester News website, is the culmination of more than three weeks of planning and represents an expanded commitment to local election coverage.
“We designed this guide to inform Winchester voters and encourage civic participation,” said Nell Escobar Coakley, editor of Winchester News. “It will serve as a living resource, providing details on candidates, voting logistics, upcoming forums and election results.”
The guide covers 11 townwide offices across eight areas of municipal government, with particular focus on contested races for Select Board and School Committee. It also includes information on Town Meeting representative candidates from all eight precincts.
“It has always been our vision that Winchester News would fill the information gap left by the loss of the Winchester Star and help improve civic participation and civil discourse. I believe this guide is an important step in that direction and I am very happy that we are able to provide it this year,” said Tara Hughes, president of the Winchester News Board of Directors
The League of Women Voters of Winchester is sponsoring two candidate forums at the Jenks Center's Cummings Room, 109 Skillings Road, on March 5 and 6, with both events running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
On Wednesday, March 5:
- 6:30-7 p.m.: Meet Town Meeting candidates for all precincts
- 7-8 p.m.: Select Board debate featuring Anthea Brady (incumbent), Paras Bhayani, Dorothy Simboli and Richard Welch Jr., who are vying for two available seats
On Thursday, March 6:
- 6:30-7 p.m.: Meet Town Meeting candidates for all precincts
- 7-8 p.m.: School Committee debate featuring Karen Maruyama Bolognese (incumbent), Stefanie Mnayarji and Christian Nixon, competing for two seats
Debates will be moderated by League moderators from outside Winchester, with WinCam providing live coverage at www.wincam.org and on-demand viewing afterward.
In addition, candidates will participate in a “meet and mingle” event sponsored by the Winchester Chamber of Commerce, the Network for Social Justice and the Town Common Task Force on Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Kyuramen Restaurant, 538 Main St.
Complimentary appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. The event is free, but registration is required due to space limitations.
Winchester News is still accepting submissions from candidates who have received detailed questionnaires about their backgrounds, qualifications and positions on key issues facing the town. If you have not received questions, please email wdowd@winchesternews.org.
The guide provides comprehensive information about voting methods, including key deadlines:
- Deadline to register to vote: March 12 at 4 p.m.
- Deadline to apply for vote-by-mail ballots: March 17 at 5 p.m.
- Early voting at Town Hall: March 15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), March 17-20 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and March 21 (8 a.m. to noon)
On Election Day, voting will take place at Winchester High School, which will serve as the central polling location for all precincts due to ongoing construction.
The League of Women Voters will provide additional online voter guides with profiles of candidates for all offices, including Town Meeting representatives. These guides will be available in early March on the League’s website, .
As Winchester enters the home stretch of election season, the guide will be regularly updated with new candidate submissions, forum recordings and additional election information through March 22.
