Election Information For Bedford Voters

Bedford MA

16 September, 2020

3:41 PM

Description

Press release from the Town of Bedford: September 16, 2020 There are three voting options for the November 3, 2020 election Option 1: Vote by mail ***This option is available to all registered voters*** Under a state law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all registered voters in Massachusetts may vote by mail for the November election in 2020. If you did not request a vote by mail ballot for the November election prior to September 1st, you should receive a Vote by Mail Application postcard from the State Elections Division. If you wish to vote by mail, have not made a prior request, and did not receive a postcard, use the application found here: https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-clerk/elections/pages/2020-vote-by-mail-application. Please download, print, complete, and return this application to the Town Clerk's office. You can scan and return by email ([email protected]), mail to Town Clerk's Office (10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730), or drop off in the secure dropbox located to the right of the front entrance of Town Hall. If you want to cast your ballot by mail for the November 3 election, the Town Clerk must receive a vote by mail application by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28. When will the Town Clerk be sending ballots to voters? The Town Clerk's office expects to mail ballots to voters starting in early October. I requested a ballot by mail but have not receive it yet—can I track my ballot? Please use this link to track your mail-in ballot: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx. On this site, under status, "pending" means your application has been received by the Town Clerk and "accepted" means that your ballot has been received by the Town Clerk. Can I drop off my ballot in-person? Yes! There is a secure dropbox located just to the right of the front entrance of Town Hall (see image below or follow this link for detailed directions: https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-clerk/news/drop-box-for-ballots) Can I use pencil to fill out my ballot? No, please use pen to fill out your ballot. I requested a mail-in ballot but would prefer to vote in person—can I still vote in person? If you change your mind after requesting a mail-in ballot, you may vote in person so long as the Town Clerk's Office has not received your mail-in ballot. Please plan to wait a few minutes at the polls for the Town Clerk staff to verify that a ballot was not returned. Option 2: Vote early in-person Early voting will take place in the Reed Room in Town Hall (10 Mudge Way) during the following times: Saturday, October 17 & 24 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sunday, October 18 & 25 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Monday, October 19 & 26 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 20 & 27 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday, October 21 & 28 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thursday, October 22 & 29 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday, October 23 & 30 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Although Town Hall is currently open by appointment only, an appointment is not necessary for in-person early voting. Voters will enter Town Hall through the front door, and after voting, will exit the building via the rear of the Reed Room (voters requiring the use of the elevator will be able to exit via the front door of Town Hall). Capacity will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be in place to ensure a safe voting environment. All surfaces will be frequently sanitized and voters may bring their own black felt tip pen if they wish to do so. Visitors should wear masks or face coverings. Public restrooms will be available on the basement floor. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or are not able to wear a mask or facial covering, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the vote by mail option. Option 3: Vote on election day On November 3, polls will be open for all precincts at the John Glenn Middle School gym (99 McMahon Road) from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. It is helpful to know your precinct ahead of time—please find that information here: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif2781/f/pages/bedford_street_base_map_with_voting_precincts.pdf Capacity will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be in place to ensure a safe voting environment. All surfaces will be frequently sanitized and voters may bring their own black felt tip pen if they wish to do so. Visitors should wear masks or face coverings. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or are not able to wear a mask or facial covering, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the vote by mail option. Can I preview the ballot? Please use this link: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif2781/f/uploads/specimen_ballot_november_2020.pdf What are the requirements in order to register to vote? You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and 18 years old on or before election day (if you are turning 18 after the voter registration deadline but on or before election day you may register to vote prior to turning 18). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has no waiting period for voter registration—as soon as you move to your new address, you are eligible to register to vote. Am I registered to vote? You can check your registration status here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/myvoterregstatus.aspx. How do I register to vote? The last day to register to vote and/or change your address for the November election is Saturday, October 24, 2020. You can register to vote on the state's website: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/, or print and mail the following form (https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-clerk/pages/voter-registration) to the Town Clerk's Office (10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730) or bring the form to the secure dropbox located just to the right of the front entrance of Town Hall. Bedford residents can also register to vote in person at the Town Clerk's Office but must make an appointment to do so. Additionally, the Town Clerk's Office will be open from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM for voter registration on October 24. I live in Bedford already, but I moved to another address in town. Do I have to re-register? A voter who moves within Bedford must notify the Town Clerk's Office in a letter of their new address. This letter must have an original signature. The letter should contain both old and new addresses, voter's name and date of birth. Most voters prefer to re-register in order to change their address. Additional Questions? Please call the Town Clerk's office at 781-275-0083. This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author's own.