Published October 8, 2020

By MAUREEN DOHERTY, editor

Early Voting for what many would term the most anticipated quadrennial election in modern history begins in Massachusetts on Saturday, October 17 and continues every day thereafter for 14 days, through Friday, October 30, inclusive, in every community.

This two-week Early Voting period to determine the next president and other down ballot office holders, such as members of Congress and the State Legislature, is being held in addition to ongoing mail-in balloting currently taking place. The deadline to register to vote in Massachusetts is Saturday, October 24 and mail-in ballot applications may be requested through Wednesday, October 28.

Mail-in applications processed to date by the Town Clerk’s office began being sent back to voters this week, as soon as the ballots were made available by the office of the Secretary of State. As long as mailed-in ballots are postmarked by Election Day and arrive at Town Hall no later than Friday, November 6 at 5 p.m. they will be counted, according to Secretary of State Bill Galvin.

Additionally, the polls will be open for in-person voting on the traditional Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The state is providing three distinct options for voters to participate in the electoral process which leaves virtually no excuse for the town’s more than 11,500 registered voters to skip out on participating in the democratic process this year, even in the era of COVID-19.

Town Clerk Barbara Stats has compiled the following information explaining the specifics related to this year’s Early Voting process:

Early Voting for the November 3 State Election will begin on Saturday, October 17 through Friday, October 30. The 14-day period includes two consecutive Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate those who work weekdays.

The hours will be as follows: 

• Weekend hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Weekday hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In order to exercise proper distancing protocols, Early Voting will take place in the Town Hall gym, 235 North St.  Entry to the Town Hall will only be through the main front doors closest to the gym, which is located to the immediate left once inside the lobby. Since the Town Hall is still closed to the public (except by appointment), all other doors of the Town Hall will remain closed. Once inside the front doors, voters will be required to go directly into the gym where they will check-in and receive both a ballot and an envelope for sealing their ballot.

Voters may bring a black or blue pen to mark their ballot. They also have the option to use a disposable pencil available at the check-in area. Marking pens will not be left in the booths. The envelope containing the ballot must be signed by the voter, or the ballot cannot be processed. 

Electronic Poll Pads will once again be used for check-in; a driver’s license will expedite the process but is not required – the voter may simply state his or her name and verify their address. Inactive voters will still be required to provide ID and sign an “Affidavit of Current and Continuance Residency” prior to casting their ballot. All voters who will be registered by Saturday, October 24 will be eligible to vote in the November 3 election regardless of party affiliation.

Voters are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth, and to exercise proper distancing while waiting to enter the Town Hall or the gym, as well as during voting and exiting. Medically exempt unmasked voters will be directed to a separate voting booth. 

Voting booths will also be limited and spaced to accommodate distancing. After marking the ballot, the voter will seal it in the envelope provided at the check-in area and sign the envelope where indicated. In order to maintain distancing, voters must exit from the back door of the gym after leaving their signed and sealed ballot envelope with the check-out clerk.

Anyone who is ill, has a fever, unexplained cough, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, shortness of breath or new loss of taste or smell should stay home. Please do not put others at risk if you have any such symptoms. 

“We appreciate your understanding and anticipated compliance with these procedures in order to provide a safe voting environment for everyone,” Stats said.

Additional information regarding this election, including sample ballots, can be found on the town’s website at: www.northreadingma.gov/town-clerk.