Early Voting in Holliston for Presidential Election

HOLLISTON, MA—All registered voters are able vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts, beginning on Oct. 24 through Nov. 4. Before the new law was enacted, the only way a registered voter was allowed to vote prior to Election Day was through absentee voting.

Although absentee voting will still be available for registered voters who qualify, only those who will be absent from their city or town on Election Day, or have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls, or have a religious belief preventing the same, are legally allowed to vote by absentee ballot. Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter, said an announcement from the town. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early.

Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote at the polls on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered. Check on your registration status here.

To be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 State Election, you must have registered to vote by Oct. 18.

Early voting can be done in person or by mail. In Holliston, early voting starts on Monday, Oct. 24, and ends on Friday, Nov. 4, and can be done in person at the Town Hall during the following times:

• Mondays Oct 24, 31 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays Oct 25, Nov 1 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  Wednesdays Oct 26, Nov 2 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registered voters also have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail. Simply fill out an application and mail it to the town clerk. The application can be found on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.

Election Day is Tue., Nov. 8. In Holliston, voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Find your voting precinct.

In addition to the presidential race, Massachusetts voters on Election Day will decide four ballot initiatives, including legalizing marijuana and building more charter schools.

Massachusetts Early Voting Guide

When is early voting?

Oct. 24–Nov. 4

Who can vote early?

Any voter registered in Massachusetts is eligible to vote early in person. The last day to register to vote in this November's General Election is Oct. 19. You can register online here.Where do I vote?

Qualified voters may vote early in person at a designated early voting location or by mail. For specific, in-person early voting locations and hours, check with your local election official.

Why early voting?

The law for early voting was signed in 2014 by former Gov. Deval Patrick, and mandates a 10-day voting window before Election Day during the statewide elections, held every two years. This is Massachusetts' first year putting that law into practice.

What do I need to vote?

That depends. You will need to show official identification to a poll worker if it's your first time voting in Massachusetts or your registration status is inactive because you haven’t voted lately. You can check your voter registration status here. A poll worker can additionally request ID if they have reason to be suspicious of your identity, or if you have to complete a provisional or challenged ballot at the polls. More on those situationshere. The following identification documents are acceptable: driver’s license, state-issued ID, recent utility bill, signed lease, rent receipt, or a sworn statement that you're a registered, active voter. You can also show any other official document that includes your name and address.

What's on the ballot?

Voters statewide will be weighing in on the next President of the United States, and on four statewide ballot initiatives. There are also a handful of competitive local elections on the ballot. Find out what's on your ballot here.

And remember...

Even if you don't cast your ballot during the early voting period, you can also vote as usual on Election Day, Nov. 8.

With reporting by Alison Bauter (Patch Staff)

Photo: Shutterstock