Town Clerk Laura Gemme marks her 50th election in Reading

(1-minute read)

Town Clerk Laura Gemme is celebrated with a “Congratulations on 50 elections” ice cream cake at the Town Clerk’s office. Photo by Taylor Gregory.

Town Clerk Laura Gemme reached a milestone this week, completing her 50th election for the town of Reading. Town Manager Jayne Wellman and other town staff gathered at the Town Clerk’s office on Thursday, September 3, to mark the occasion, celebrating with an ice cream cake from Cal’s Creamery decorated with the message “Congratulations on 50 elections.”

The recognition came just days after Reading voters headed to the polls for the September 1 state primary.

Gemme began in Reading in September 2009. In the roughly 17 years since, she has run 50 elections as town clerk. Representing years of behind-the-scenes work that most residents never see, from preparing ballots and staffing polling places to certifying results. The Town Clerk’s office oversees each election, along with maintaining the town’s vital public records.

For Gemme, the milestone carried an echo of the doubts she faced at the start. “Someone told me I wouldn’t even make it through one election,” she said.

A huge thank you to Gemme and the entire election staff for another successful election this past Tuesday, and here’s to looking ahead to the November 3 general midterm election.