Braintree Coronavirus: Special Election Postponed

BRAINTREE, MA — A judge in Norfolk County Superior Court has issued an order allowing town officials to postpone the March 28 special election amid growing concern over the new coronavirus. The scheduled vote was for residents to decide whether to pay for a $63 million debt exclusion to pay for a new South Middle School and other school improvement project.

A re-scheduled date has not been set yet for the special election, but Mayor Charles Kokoros said it will happen sometime during this fiscal year.

"I will work with the town clerk to identify an appropriate date to hold the special election within the parameters provided by the court," Kokoros said in a statement. "It is important that all our residents have an opportunity to cast their ballot on these important issues and this postponement ensures fair and equal access to the polls for all."

Kokoros said the Town Council will be required to approve the new election date, and residents will receive a notification through a reverse 911 call, the town website and on social media when a new date is announced.

Resident not registered to vote will have until 10 days before the election to register. Applications to vote via absentee ballot will be accepted by the town clerk until noon the day before the election. Anyone who has already filled out an absentee ballot will still have their vote counted. If you would rather vote in person, that is also possible as long as your absentee vote was not already counted.

Questions regarding voter registration and absentee ballots should be directed to the town clerk's office at 781-794-8240.