Every Vote Counts, Newton!

Election Day is November 6, and early voting begins October 22. Newton residents need to be registered to vote by October 17 to vote in the upcoming state and municipal elections. Even if you think you are registered to vote, it is wise to check your registration status and update your information if needed.

You can register to vote On Line or, if you prefer, you can register in person at Newton City Hall. Here’s how:

On-Line Voter Registration: You can register on line at the Secretary of State voter registration page https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ if you:

· Are a US Citizen

· Are 18 years old

· Have a Massachusetts driver’s license or an ID issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Mail-in or In-Person Voter Registration: If you do not have a driver’s license or an ID from the RMV, you can use the same website to access a mail-in voter registration form which you can prefill, print and sign and then mail the form in or bring it to Newton City Hall and complete your registration there. You can also get the voter registration form at Newton City Hall. Remember that the mail-in form must be postmarked or delivered at least 20 days before Election Day so be sure to complete the form and mail it or bring it to Newton City Hall by October 17.

· You will need acceptable identification to use the mail in/in person form to register to vote. The application form asks you to include your driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number so the information can be verified through the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of Social Security.

· If the information cannot be verified, or you do not have or provide this information, you must provide identification either with the application or at your polling location when you go to vote.

o Sufficient identification includes a copy of a current and valid photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address.

All pages on the website, and the voter registration mail-in form are available in English, Spanish, ខ្មែរខ្មែ and 中文.

Voter Registration mail-in forms are available in downloadable PDF in even more languages at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm and at these hyperlinks:

Voter Registration form (PDF)

Formulario de inscripción de votante por correo oficial de Massachusetts (PDF) – Spanish

麻州官方 選民郵寄登記表 (PDF) – Chinese

ទម្រង់បែបបទសម្រាប់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតតាមការផ្ញើតាមប៉ុស្តប្រៃសណីយ៍ (PDF) - Khmer

Furmuláriu Ofisial pa Risénsia pa Vota Através di Kureiu na Massachusetts (PDF) - Cape Verdean Creole

Fòmilè Enskripsyon Elektè pou Voye pa Lapòs (PDF) - Haitian Creole

Formulário de inscrição de eleitor pelo correio (PDF) - Portuguese

Официальный почтовый бланк для регистрации избирателей штата Массачусетс (PDF) - Russian

Mẫu Đăng Ký Cử Tri Qua Hệ Thống Thư (PDF) - Vietnamese

Check & Update Your Voter Registration: You can also use the website https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ to:

· Confirm your voter registration

· Update your name or address

· Update party affiliation (i.e., Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Unenrolled)

Review a Sample Ballot: When you use the website page to confirm your voter registration, you can also review a sample of the statewide ballot for the election.

Newton voters will have two local ballot questions to decide. One question would ban recreational pot shops in Newton. The other question would allow 2-4 of pot shops first, but City Council can increase the number of pot shops later on.

This is how those questions will appear on the local ballot:

The Question BANNING Retail Recreational Pot Sales reads:

Shall the City adopt the following general ordinance?

“All recreational marijuana retail establishments shall be prohibited from operating in the City of Newton.”

Yes ____

No ____

The Question ALLOWING Retail Recreational Pot Shops reads:

Shall Newton adopt the following zoning ordinance?

“The number of recreational marijuana retail establishments shall be not fewer than two (2) nor more than four (4) establishments set by a general ordinance adopted by the City Council.”

Yes ____

No ____

Absentee Ballot Voting: If you need an absentee ballot, you can apply for one in person at Newton City Hall or ask in writing to have one mailed to you. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is noon the day before Election Day (in other words: noon on November 5), but you should to allow plenty of time to have your application processed and for the ballot to be mailed to you so you can mail it back and have it postmarked by Election Day.

You can get the absentee ballot application at Newton City Hall, or download a copy at: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf

A family member can apply for the absentee ballot for you on the form available to download at: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot_fam.pdf

You may also make application by letter or note sent to Newton City Hall. The request must include your:

· name,

· address as registered,

· ward and precinct (if you know them),

· address where you want the absentee ballot sent, and

· your signature.

If you can also get and file your absentee ballot in person at Newton City Hall. Plan to visit the office 2 or 3 weeks before Election Day. You can make your application for an absentee ballot and cast your vote in one visit.

Be sure to register and vote in the November election. Every vote counts!