Tuesday is the State Primary, What You Need to Know

The State Primary Election is Tuesday, Sept. 9. Here’s some important information as the primary approaches:

Who Can Vote?

The Primary is a partisan election; therefore all voters registered in the Democratic and Republican parties are eligible to vote. Voters registered as un-enrolled (commonly referred to as ‘independent’) must choose a party, and will automatically return to un-enrolled status following the election.

View the Primary Election ballots here for all precincts>>>

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots for the State Primary are available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to come to the polls in person on Election Day due to an absence from the town of Chelmsford during polling hours; have a physical disability that prevents them from going to the polling place or for religious belief. Eligible voters may vote in person at the Clerk’s office or by mail. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Monday, Sept. 8 at 12 noon. Absentee ballot applications can also be downloaded by going online. Absentee ballot applications to be completed by a family member are also available from this office or online through the Secretary of State’s office. Absentee ballots must be received before 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

Voting Hours and Polling Locations

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Polling locations in Chelmsford are:

• Precincts 1 and 9 vote at the Town Office Building Gym located at 50 Billerica Road;
• Precincts 2 and 3 vote at the Harrington School Gym located at 120 Richardson Road;
• Precincts 4 and 6 vote at the Westlands School Gym located at 170 Dalton Road;
• Precinct 5 votes at the Byam School Gym located at 25 maple Road and
• Precincts 7 and 8 vote at the McCarthy Middle School Little Gym located at 250 North Road.

Voters are encouraged to confirm their voter status and polling location by visiting the Secretary of State’s office online or by calling the Clerk’s office. If your 2014 census was not received by this office, voters will be required to complete paperwork at the polls, therefore all voters are strongly encouraged to check their status before the election.

Campaign Signs at Polling Locations

Candidates and supporters are reminded that according to MGL Ch. 54 §65 signs are allowed at the polling place as long as they are outside the 150-foot radius around the entrance of the polling place. In addition, signs must not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Posters, cards, handbills, placards, pictures or circulars intended to influence the action of the voter are also not permitted within the 150-foot radius.