5 Common Mistakes With Absentee Ballots: What You Need To Know

MADISON, CT — After concern that some could make one of the "common mistakes" on their absentee ballot, and to ensure voters "don't delay" in returning absentee ballot applications, the town and its first selectwoman are reminding voters about how the process works.

"As many of you are aware, absentee ballots have started to be mailed from the Town Clerk’s office to all those registered voters who submitted a complete application," First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons wrote Wednesday in her weekly address.

She explained that completed ballots can be returned either by mail to 8 Campus Drive, Madison, or by placing it in the secure drop box located outside of Town Hall at the Town Campus.

And in an announcement from the town clerk, voters are told about some "common mistakes" made with absentee ballots.

• Ballot is not in the inner envelope
• Inner envelope is not signed and dated, or not sealed
• Voters in the same household should not put their ballots in one envelope – only one ballot per envelope is allowed
• Inner envelope is not placed in the outer envelope
• Returning the ballot after 8:00 p.m. on Election Day

For those who wish to vote absentee, the town clerk said they should not delay in returning the application so their ballot can be sent to them. Ballots began to be mailed by the Town Clerk last Friday.

Voting in person, Madison?

For those voters who choose to cast their vote in person on Nov. 3, recall that District 1 voting was moved from the Senior Center to Polson Middle School, 302 Green Hill Road; District 2 voting will take place as in previous years at Brown Intermediate School at 980 Durham Road.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and be modified for social distancing and other safety protocols. Please note that because Connecticut law allows residents who are not currently registered to vote to register on election day, the Senior Center will be used for Election Day Registration on Nov. 3. No other voting will occur at this location.

For more information, visit the Madison Town Clerk's voting and elections webpage here and the Connecticut Secretary of State's election website here.