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Statement of the Town Clerk, Chief of Police, and Town Administrator regarding the 2020 State and Presidential Election

Posted on: October 28, 2020 - 11:26am

October 28, 2020

Statement of Town Clerk Barbara Stats, Chief of Police Michael P. Murphy, and Town Administrator Michael P. Gilleberto regarding the 2020 State and Presidential Election

The 2020 State and Presidential Election has presented unique challenges for the Town’s election officials and for voters.

The Town takes election and voter safety and security very seriously, and we have been working together over the past several weeks to provide safe access for all voters and to preserve the integrity of each vote.  Some steps that we have taken include additional video surveillance during early and mail-in voting, monitoring of video by the North Reading Police Department, increased police patrols at Town Hall, and frequent emptying of the ballot drop-off box.

Pursuant to guidance from the Secretary of the Commonwealth and to minimize the risk of vandalism of ballots, the ballot drop-off box at Town Hall will be locked on Halloween afternoon (Saturday, October 31st) at 1:00 PM and will be unlocked at 9:00 AM on Sunday, November 1st.

For those who have not yet voted:

  • the deadline to request a mail-in application is today at 5:00 PM
  • Early Voting continues at Town Hall on Wednesday until 3:30, on Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and on Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd and the polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

For those who choose to vote on Election Day, there will be some changes in the entrance/exit at St. Theresa’s Church.  All vehicles will be directed around the rear of the building to the east side parking lot, and voter parking and entrance will only be through the east entrance.    There will be designated handicapped accessible parking spots at the east entrance.  The west side and rear doors to the hall will be for emergency exit only.  This will allow for voters to stand in a single line indoors while maintaining social distancing protocols.  Monitors will be available to assist voters once inside the building.

For more information, please visit the Town website at www.northreadingma.gov .

We will continue to remain vigilant until every vote is counted, and ask voters to do the same.  If you see or hear something suspicious regarding the election in North Reading, please call the North Reading Police Department at 978-664-3131.  Thank you to all voters for their flexibility and understanding.

Barbara Stats, Town Clerk

Michael P. Murphy, Chief of Police

Michael P. Gilleberto, Town Administrator