VOTING OPTIONS 2020
MAKING SURE YOU CAN VOTE!
The deadline to register to vote in the September 1st primary is August 22. Is your voting information up to date? You can check here:
VOTING OPTIONS – HOW WILL YOU VOTE?
Because of the pandemic, there are changes to voting to ensure your safety. There are several voting options to provide people with the opportunity to avoid the polling place and practice physical distancing.
The primary election is September 1, 2020 and the general (presidential) election is November 3, 2020.
VOTE BY MAIL
VOTING BY MAIL IS A 2 STEP PROCESS:
(1) Completing an application for a ballot, and
(2) Completing and submitting the ballot (voting!)
In order to get a ballot, you need to complete an application and return it to your town Clerk. Applications were already mailed and you should have received it.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN APPLICATION FOR A BALLOT TO VOTE BY MAIL…
Contact your town clerk (here) or download an application (here), print it, complete it, and mail it to your town clerk (postage paid). You can also drop it off at collection box, which will likely be at your town hall or town clerk’s office.
You’ll be able to request a mail-in ballot for the primary election, the general election or both elections at the same time.
WHEN ARE THE APPLICATIONS FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS DUE?
Your application must be received at your town clerk’s office by August 26 for the primary. Once your application is submitted, your town clerk will mail you a ballot with pre-paid return postage.
GETTING AND COMPLETING THE BALLOT
When you receive the ballot, it’s important to complete it and return it by 8 p.m. on Election Day, September 1st, in order to be counted. You can return the ballot in one of these ways: by mail (postage is paid!), in a secure dropbox (by town hall) or in person. You can contact your local election office for the location of your secure drop-box.
Everyone is encouraged to vote by mail, and to do so as soon as we can.
WILL IN-PERSON VOTING BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
Yes, it will. In-person voting will have physical distancing requirements inside the polling place (and may result in less “booths” which may mean longer lines spaced 6 feet apart) and waiting lines outside the polling place will be using physical distancing as well. Also, all voters will be asked to wear a face covering. There may also be new people working the polls so everyone’s patience is appreciated.
IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING FOR SEPTEMBER 1 PRIMARY
Early voting for the primary election is from Saturday, August 22, to Friday, August 28. To find out locations for early voting, reach out to your town clerk’s office.
For the towns in the 3rd Hampshire District:
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The schedule and location for Amherst’s early in-person voting: here.
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The schedule and location for Granby’s early in person voting: here.
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The schedule and location for Pelham’s early in-person voting here.
Please remember to wear a mask or face covering when you go to vote, and you’ll be asked to practice physical distancing.
IN-PERSON VOTING ON ELECTION DAY, SEPTEMBER 1 PRIMARY
Because of the pandemic, in-person voting is discouraged. If you plan to vote in person on election day, be prepared for changes that incorporate public health guidelines, including social distancing and wearing a mask or face covering. Election Day hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
THE GENERAL (PRESIDENTIAL) ELECTION
You can expect another vote-by-mail application in your mailbox around the third week in September for the November 3 general (presidential) election. This application will also include pre-paid return postage. The deadline to apply for a November ballot is Wednesday, October 28. Additional information about the general election will be posted here after September 1.
IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
FOR THE FALL 2020 ELECTIONS
August 22-28 – In-person early voting available at your town clerk’s office
August 26 – Deadline for vote-by-Mail application to be received by your town clerk’s office
September 1 – State primary; ballots must be returned by 8pm to your town hall.
Third week in September – Vote-by-mail application for the general election will be sent
October 17-30 – In-person early voting available at your town clerk’s office
October 28 – Deadline for vote-by-mail application to be received by your town clerk’s office
November 3 – General election; mailed ballots must be postmarked by this date and received no later than November 6, 2020.