There are two elections in the 2022 election cycle:
Democratic Primary Sept. 6, 2022
General Election Nov. 8, 2022
Voting is important
The NAACP Berkshire County Branch is sponsoring multiple events to inform Berkshire County voters about the offices and candidates that are on the ballot. Note: The NAACP is non-partisan and does not endorse individual candidates.
On the ballot on September 6th
Candidates for District Attorney and County Sheriff
Watch Debates via Zoom
August 29, 2022
Candidates for Sheriff
Incumbent Thomas Bowler and Challenger Alf Barbalunga
6:00-7:30 PM
Candidates for District Attorney
Incumbent Andrea Harrington and Challenger Timothy Shugrue
7:30-9:00 PM
This event is free and open to the public but you must register for the Zoom link here.
Hosted by NAACP, Berkshire County Branch and co-sponsored by League of Women Voters of Central Berkshire County, and Williamstown, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLUM)
Both debates will be moderated by Dr. Leticia Haynes, Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Williams College.
“Holding debates by nonpartisan organizations like the NAACP Berkshire County Branch, League of Women Voters, and American Civil Liberties Union, Massachusetts (ACLUM) allows voters to be able to hear the differences in candidates’ opinions and approaches to things that affect our community. The hosts have rescheduled this debate to work around the candidates’ schedules so we’re asking them all to make the commitment to show up and allow voters to have the most information before they cast their vote”, Dennis Powell, President of the NAACP, Berkshire County Branch.
At our July General Meeting, we hosted a forum with the two candidates for County Sheriff.
Know Your Sheriff – view the video of the forum
Sheriffs have the power to make our communities safer and more just for all—but most Massachusetts voters don’t even know who their sheriff is. It’s time to change that. It’s time to Know Your Sheriff.
Know Your Sheriff is a public education campaign by the ACLU of Massachusetts to build voter awareness about the life-changing decisions that sheriffs make.
Polling shows that many voters are not familiar with sheriffs, but when they learn more, they are more likely to cast a ballot for sheriff in the next election.
Polling also shows that voters favor treatment and education over punishment. Knowing your sheriff means knowing that YOU have the power to demand safer communities and a more just criminal legal system.
After the presentation, attendees were able to ask questions of the two candidates running for Berkshire County District Attorney Alf Barbalunga, and incumbent Sheriff Tom Bowler.
Our August General Meeting focused on the candidates for District Attorney.
What a Difference a DA Makes – view the video of the forum
What a Difference A DA Makes is an ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) campaign is a public education initiative in Massachusetts that seeks to highlight the key role that the Commonwealth’s district attorneys play in determining the effectiveness and fairness of the criminal legal system – and to inform and educate Massachusetts residents so they are more aware and engaged in their local district attorney elections.
Through public education campaigns like Know Your Sheriff and What a Difference a DA Makes the ACLUM hopes to educate and empower community members in Massachusetts to demand safer communities and a more just criminal legal system.
After the presentation, attendees were able to ask questions of the two candidates running for Berkshire County District Attorney Tim Shugrue, and incumbent District Attorney Andrea Harrington.