Mail-In Voting Has Huge Turnout, Few Issues: Patch PM

Today is Thursday, Sept. 3. Here are some of the top stories we are covering.

Despite worries about mail-in ballots, Massachusetts town clerks were by-and-large able to get all votes counted on election night.

State officials reported the highest voter turnout in at least a decade in the state primary, thanks to expanded mail-in and early voting.

The state's success with its first test with mail-in voting comes at a time when elected officials nationwide have argued whether mail-in voting would lead to voter fraud.

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Other top stories

Boston Marathon 2021 Registration Postponed

The Boston Athletic Association has indefinitely postponed registration for the 2021 Boston Marathon amid the coronavirus pandemic

Registration was slated to start this month, but association officials, in conjunction with city and state health officials, decided to hold off until health experts have a better understanding of where the COVID-19 situation will be in April.

The Association also announced the formation of the COVID-19 Medical and Events Operations Advisory Group to advise the association's leadership regarding the pandemic. The group is made up of medical and public safety officials, as well as city and state leaders.

Mermell Won't Rule Out Recount In Close MA-4 Race

Results in the 4th Congressional District race began changing Thursday morning hours after a Suffolk Superior Court judge ruled that votes could continue to be counted in the closest race of Tuesday's primary.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss was leading Jesse Mermell by 1,443 votes, a slightly narrower lead compared to Wednesday afternoon. Auchincloss' lead was above the threshold for a recount.

Mermell is not ready to rule out a recount. She held a news conference at Newton City Hall Thursday and when asked about a recount, she would only say that every vote needs to be tallied.

'It Stinks': Baker Says Restaurant Closures Are 'Part Of What Comes With COVID'

Gov. Charlie Baker said on Thursday it's been "heartbreaking" to see restaurants and bars go out of business during the coronavirus pandemic. Boston has seen longtime favorites including The Pour House, The Fours and Cheers at Faneuil Hall close their doors for good in recent weeks.

Restaurants in Massachusetts are allowed to offer limited indoor dining with tables spaced at least six feet apart, and bars have been shuttered until there's a vaccine or coronavirus therapeutics. While some have criticized his administration's restaurant guidelines as too strict, Baker cited the "ripple effect" of the pandemic on the local economy.

"It stinks. It stinks. A lot of this stinks," Baker said of the closures. "But it's part of what comes with COVID."

Related: Pour House Latest Longtime Boston Bar To Close Its Doors

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The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission and the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation have agreed to pay $27 million for Red Gate Farm in Aquinnah.

New Video Shows Floodwater Rush Inside Norwood Hospital

The newly released surveillance video shows water bursting through the doors into the lower level of the hospital.

Danvers Selectmen Affirm Removal Of 'Thin Blue Line' Flags

A Danvers "community conversation" about the meaning of the "thin blue line" flag and whether it is appropriate for the flag to be flown on town fire apparatus ended with the Board of Selectmen voting to back Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha's decision last week to have the flags removed.

New England Patriots Days Away From Season Opener

The Patriots season begins Sept. 13 at home. Here's the full schedule.