Town Of Arlington: Absentee Voting Expanded For Town Election

Press release from Town of Arlington:

March 16, 2021

State law now clarifies that any person taking precautions relating to COVID-19 qualifies for an absentee ballot by reason of physical disability. You do not need to provide a reason on the form. Any Arlington voter who chooses to vote by mail is encouraged to submit a written request for a ballot as soon as possible.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 pm, Tuesday April 6th, however residents are advised take into account the time needed to mail the ballot. A request received on April 6 would be mailed on April 7 and would have to be completed by the voter and returned to a drop box on or before Election Day. The absentee request must be received by 5 pm – a postmark is not sufficient.

Polling locations will adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and voters will be asked to follow instructional signs regarding spacing, sanitizing stations and the use of separate entrances and exits. Masks will be offered to voters who don’t have one and their use is encouraged at the polling locations.

How to Request an Absentee Ballot

Residents who wish to vote by absentee ballot can submit the official Absentee Ballot Application or any written note that includes a request for an absentee ballot for the April election. All requests (forms, letters or handwritten notes) should include the voter’s full name and address and must be signed. Emailed applications may be signed using a mouse, finger, or stylus. Typed signatures are not acceptable on any form.

The absentee ballot application may be downloaded and returned via mail, email, or placed in a ballot drop box. To email a form it’s fine to attach a picture or scan of the signed form and send to townclerk@town.arlington.ma.us. The ballot drop boxes are in their usual locations and can be used to submit voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications and ballots after they are mailed.

• East Arlington - Outside the Fox Branch Library (175 Massachusetts Ave)
• Arlington Center - Town Hall (near the bus stop at Mass Ave and Academy St)
• Arlington Heights - Outside ACMI Studios (85 Park Avenue)

Email: townclerk@town.arlington.ma.us

Mail: Town Clerk, 730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

You only need to provide an address for the absentee ballot if you are requesting the ballot be sent to a different address than the registration address. It is advisable to include contact information in case the Clerk’s Office needs to clarify the details of your request. The Post Office will not forward ballots – you must provide a direct address where the voter receives mail.

How to Return an Absentee Ballot

The legal deadline to return an absentee ballot is 8 pm on April 10 – postmarks are not sufficient. Vote ballots cannot be delivered to the precincts on Election Day. The drop boxes will be checked at 8 pm and sealed. No ballots can be accepted after the polls close. Secretary of State advises that 2 first-class stamps should be sufficient postage to mail a ballot.

Please visit the Elections page for more information about the April 10 Election.

This press release was produced by Town of Arlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.