Voting for the January 25th Special Election
MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED: Even though many persons have been -- or will be -- vaccinated or 'boosted' by Election Day, in accordance with safety protocols, Church requirements for masking for all indoor activites taking place on Church property, as well as for the safety and protection of the Election Staff and all voters.
- If you are ill or have a fever -- please stay home.
- If you have unexplained chills, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, shortness of breath or new loss of taste or smell -- please stay home.
- A mask that covers your nose and mouth must be worn before entering the polls and not removed until exiting the polls --
- A face shield is not a sufficient substitute for a mask.
- Observe appropriate distancing at all times in all areas.
Persons who do not follow these protocols are placing others at risk, who may in turn unknowingly expose their own family members or other persons. These safety measures have been shown to be effective in curbing the spread of this virus, and we will be expecting all persons to adhere to them for the greater safety of all.
- Street Directories will be posted on the Hall foyer walls to look-up your Precinct.
- To find your precinct ahead go to: www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com or call our office.
- Check-in and Check-out tables will have plexi-glass shields for safety.
- Electronic Poll-Pad and paper voting lists will both be used at the check-in tables:
- A driver’s license placed on the Poll Pad tray will provide a faster check-in, but is not required.
- The license is NOT used for ID purposes but merely to expedite the check-in process;
- Alternatively the voter may state their name and voting address at the check-in station.
Each Precinct polling area will be configured to maximize distancing between voters with limited booths to accommodate a limited number of voters at one time.
- Alternatively a voter may bring their own black or blue pen to mark their own ballot;
- The tabulators read black, blue or hard lead pencil markings, but no other colors;
- Red pens are restricted for use by Election staff for the purpose of marking the voting lists.
After marking their ballot, voters will go directly to the check-out table and state their address and name once again; only a paper list is used at the check-out table.
- No lingering or socializing will be permitted.
- In order to avoid cross-contamination, there will be no "I VOTED" stickers at the check-out area.
- A trash receptacle will be located by the rear exit doors to dispose of the pencil and any PPE that the voter wishes to discard; please discard all items only in the trash receptacle and NOT on the Church property.
These precautions are necessary to provide a safe voting environment and for the protection of all voters and the Election Staff to the greatest extent possible.
Please recognize that all of the Election Staff have volunteered to assist at this Election once again -- they are willing to be at the polls to provide voters with the opportunity to vote in-person. Please respect all of these necessary precautions for their safety as much as your own, and please be sure to thank them for their willingness to serve you -- the voter -- under these continuing challenging circumstances.
If you qualify and wish to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you, a signed application or request for a ballot must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office by Wednesday, January 19th – requests for ballots may be mailed, emailed, faxed or placed in the Ballot Drop Box at the front entrance of Town Hall. Returned ballots must be received back at the Town Clerk’s Office by 6:00 pm at the close of the polls on Election Day -- Tuesday, January 25th; returned ballots may be mailed or placed in the Ballot Drop Box located by the front entrance to Town Hall. The Ballot Drop Box will be locked immediately after the 6:00 pm deadline on Election evening. In-person absentee voting is available at the Town Clerk's Office until noon on Monday, January 24th.
Thank you for your understanding and anticipated compliance with these procedures in order that we may all experience a safe voting environment. If you will be voting in person on January 25th, we will look forward to assisting you at the polls.
Please contact the Town Clerk's Office for any additional information or questions regarding the voting process: 978-357-5218
jpicone@northeastmetrotech.com
