Governor signs law enabling municipalities to postpone elections

The Governor has signed into law chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 “An Act granting authority to postpone 2020 municipal elections in the Commonwealth and increase voting options in response to the declaration of emergency to respond to COVID-19,” which has an emergency preamble and thus takes effect immediately.  A link to this will be posted on the main page of the Office of the Town Clerk.

FAQ

How will I know when a new Annual Town Election date is set? Notice of new election date must be provided to the public in other ways reasonably calculated to enable eligible voters to learn of the rescheduled election date including using a “reverse-911” call, municipal list-serve notifications, advertisement on local cable television or issuance of a press release sent to local news media.

What happens to an incumbent elected official whose term would have expired at the Annual Town Election on March 31, 2020? The incumbent elected official shall continue to serve in the official’s position until a successor is elected and qualified (which is already set forth in section 107 of chapter 41 of the General Laws).

Is it too late to register to vote in the new Annual Town Election? No. There will be a new voter registration deadline set which will 10 days before the new election date from 2 PM to 4 PM and from 7PM to 8 PM.

Will new election ballots/materials be printed? No. Election materials from the original election date for the new election date, including all ballots — absentee and official, will have the date of the original election on them

If I already cast an absentee ballot for the March 31, 2020 Annual Town Election, will my ballot be counted for the new election date? Yes. However, a voter who wants to vote in person on the date of the new election if their absentee ballot has not yet been counted.

Am I eligible to apply for an absentee ballot application due to COVID-19? Eligibility for apply for an absentee ballot now also includes a physical disability prevent the voter from going to the polling place (only until June 30, 2020) to include any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 in response to a declared state of emergency or from guidance from a medical professional, local or state health official, or any civil authority.

If I am not eligible to apply for absentee ballot are there other ways than appearing at the polls to vote? Yes. Early voting by mail is an option for any annual or special municipal or state election held on or before June 30, 2020.

How do I arrange to early vote (EV) by mail? Voters must submit a written request for an EV ballot which can be the application we’ve prepared or any form of written communication asking for an EV ballot. An Early Voting application will be posted on the Town Clerk website.

What’s the difference between early voting and absentee voting? Differences include application requirements, eligibility, method and timing of voting, applications made by family members, and once a ballot is cast. A chart (or further information) detailing the differences will be posted on the front page of the Office of the Town Clerk in the next day or two.

Can I vote in person at the new Annual Town Election? Yes.

What is the deadline to apply for an Early Voting application? Noon on the last business day before the new election date and the deadline for you to receive completed EV ballots as the close of polls on the new election date.

Are there any new deadlines for filing nomination papers for the Annual Town Election? No.

If interested in working as a poll worker at the Annual Town Election, please contact the Office of the
Town Clerk at (508) 358-3630. Poll workers are needed!

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