Election Overview
The Town Clerk is authorized by state law and local statute to administer elections and all election-related processes and responsibilities for all elections:
- Town Elections
- State Elections
- Primaries – State & Presidential
- Special Elections
The Registrars of Voters, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, work in conjunction with the Town Clerk’s Office in matters regarding elections; however the daily administration of the Registrars’ responsibilities is managed by the Town Clerk’s Office.
General Duties and Administration
- provides general assistance for voters, candidates, political parties and committees
- conducts all voter registration sessions
- prepares the voting lists following each session deadline
- maintains all voter registrations, changes, deletes and change-of-party requests
- issues party enrollment certificates when needed
- assist and provide local candidates and/or committees with election forms
- certifies signatures on all nomination papers and petitions both locally and state-wide
- oversees ballot preparations for all elections
- processes and maintains absentee ballot requests
- coordinates and conducts all early voting sessions
- tests and maintains all election voting equipment [regular & handicapped equipment]
- maintains data on the State voter registration computer system
- trains and instructs office staff and poll workers
- administers and oversees campaign finance practices for local candidates & committees
- certifies various election reports for the Secretary of the Commonwealth
- coordinates and conducts all recount activity
- tallies and records all election results
- maintains and preserves the records of all elections