Early Voting Gets Underway In Andover

ANDOVER, MA -- Election day isn't until November 6, but voters in Andover and other Massachusetts communities can begin casting ballots on Monday. Early voting is open to all registered voters in Massachusetts, not just those who have reasons they cannot making it to the polls on election day.

In Andover, residents can vote early during regular business hours at Town Hall Oct. 22 through November 2.

The deadline to register to vote in the election was October 17. You can check your voting status on the Secretary of State's Website. You can also use the Website to find your polling place.

If you missed the deadline to register to vote, make sure you register for future elections.

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is noon on the day before the election, according to the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Absentee ballots can be requested from the Town Clerk in writing, by either the voter or a family member. Absentee ballots are available to people who will be out of town during the hours the polls are open, have a physical disability preventing them from going to the polling place, or a religious belief.

The easiest way to request an absentee ballot is to fill out a Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Application and return it to the town clerk's office.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).