How To Vote By Mail In North Andover's June 2 Town Election

Press release from Town Clerk Trudy Reid:

The North Andover Annual Election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2nd. In light of COVID-19, I wanted to share important information regarding voting by mail, which can be one of two ways:

Absentee Voting: In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, normally a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to:

• Absence from the voter's city or town on Election Day; or
• Physical disability; or
• Religious belief.

However, due to COVID-19, Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 permits any person taking precautions related to COVID-10 in response to a declared State of Emergency shall also be eligible to request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded by going to:

Early Voting: Typically, early voting is not permitted for local elections. However, Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 states: any eligible voter may vote early by mail for any annual or special municipal or state election held on or before June 30, 2020. Any qualified voter wanting to early vote by mail may file with their local election official an application for an early voting ballot. Ballots for early voting will be substituted with absentee ballots for those voters requesting to vote early by mail in the annual election. Early voting applications can be downloaded by going to:

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Municipal-Early-Ballot-Application.pdf

If you cannot download either application, a hand-written or typed note with your signature can be sent to the Town Clerk. You can mail it to 120 Main Street, North Andover to the attention of Trudy Reid, or scan and email to treid@northandoverma.gov. Various forms of communicating your request is accepted for either the absentee or early voting ballot. However, the request must be in writing and must be signed by the applicant. (no calls, voicemails, etc.) If you previously requested an absentee ballot before the election was rescheduled, that ballot is still acceptable so feel free to send it to Town Hall.

At this time, there is no in person absentee voting or early voting. During normal circumstances, it could take up to 2-3 weeks to request a ballot by mail, receive it, and return to Town Hall. Therefore – it is important to request your ballot as soon as possible if you plan to vote by mail. Absentee / early voting ballots must be received no later than 8 PM on Election Day by the Town Clerk’s office in order to be counted.

If you are new to town, you have never registered to vote before, recently turned 18, or will be turning 18 before the election, the last date to register is Friday, May 22 nd . With a valid MA driver’s license, you can register on line at www.registertovotema.com up until 11:59 PM on May 22nd.

Question regarding the upcoming Annual Election scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 nd should be sent to the Town Clerk, Trudy Reid at treid@northandoverma.gov or call 978-688-9500.

Trudy Reid, North Andover Town Clerk

This press release was produced by Town Clerk Trudy Reid. The views expressed are the author's own.