27 September, 2016
Town Clerk, Connor Degan released the below press release. The press release is about a new law that allows residents to vote early. If election day does not work great for you, you may now vote October 24th through November 4th by mail or at town hall. This is another method to vote besides on election day or through absentee voting. View full details below.
"We are excited to announce that all registered voters will be able to vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on October 24th and continue through November 4th, 2016. Prior to the enactment of this new law, the only way a registered voter was allowed to vote prior to Election Day was through absentee voting. Early voting is for every registered voter that wishes to participate. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early. Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered.
Check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele. If you need to register to vote, you may do it online by visiting: www.RegisterToVoteMA.com, mail in an application to the Town Clerk, or come down to the Town Clerk’s office to register in person. All you need is a license or I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the November 8th State Election, you must register to vote or make any necessary changes to your voter registration no later than 8:00 PM on Wednesday October 19th, 2016.
Early voting can be done in person or by mail. In Hopkinton, early voting can be done in person at Hopkinton Town Hall, 18 Main Street from Monday, October 24th until Friday, November 4th. It will be held during our usual business hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Tuesdays from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Fridays from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. For public convenience, the Hopkinton Town Clerk has decided to offer weekend hours on Saturday, October 29th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Also, registered voters have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail. Simply fill out an application and mail it to the Town Clerk’s Office, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748. You can find the application on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.
Please note, however, once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.
For the first time in Massachusetts, the first choice all voters will make is which day to vote. Early voting will make the most fundamental right of our citizens more convenient than ever to exercise. We encourage Hopkinton citizens to exercise that right and take advantage of the opportunity to vote on their schedules."
