Any registered voter can use a mail ballot to vote in the state primary election scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3. It’s best to start the mail voting process now to be sure you have time to receive a ballot and return it. The town clerk’s office will begin sending mail ballots to voters in mid-August, three weeks before the election.
If you requested a mail ballot for all elections at the beginning of this year, a ballot will automatically be sent to you; you do not need to submit another request.
If you have not previously requested a mail ballot, you can do so using the postage-paid postcard recently sent to all voters by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, or print and fill out the application found here and return it to the clerk’s office.
Note that the Sept. 3 election is a primary election. Voters who are not enrolled in a party MUST request a specific party’s ballot on their application. Unenrolled voters can request any party’s ballot; the request will not change your unenrolled status. Voters who are enrolled in a party will automatically be sent that party’s ballot.
The law says applications for mail ballots must reach the clerk’s office by Aug. 26, but that date is very late for the office to process the request, send out a ballot, and allow time for the ballot to be returned. It’s best to apply for a mail ballot right away.
When you receive a mail ballot, follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to sign the yellow return envelope or the ballot cannot be accepted. You can return the ballot by mail, or deposit it in the ballot dropbox behind Town Hall, 322 Concord Rd. Mail ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 8 p.m on Election Day Sept. 3. Additional information on mail voting is on the town website.
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