Tewksbury Coronavirus: Town Election Postponed Again

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday to postpone the annual town election a second time, in response to the new coronavirus. The new election date is June 16.

The election was initially scheduled for April 4, but was postponed to May 16 in March.

Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the new registration deadline is June 5.

The ballot remains the same and any absentee ballots received or returned remain valid, according to the town clerk's office.

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State legislation passed in response to the virus allows people to vote by absentee due to concern about the virus and for towns to offer no excuse early voting by mail. Other valid reasons for absentee ballots are disability, being out of town on election day, and having a religious belief preventing voting in person.

The town clerk's office provided the following additional information on voting in June:

The law has also been updated to allow early voting by mail for any election held on or before June 30th. Early voting by mail is similar to absentee voting, but unlike absentee voting, no excuse is required.

Absentee Ballot Applications are available to be downloaded and printed, but you may also request an absentee ballot by writing a letter to your clerk's office, if you do not have access to a printer. Be sure to include your name and address, the election(s) for which you are requesting a ballot, and your signature. If you need the ballot mailed somewhere other than your home, be sure to provide that address. Applications must be received by Noon the day before the election. (June 15th)

Early Ballot Applications are available for upcoming local and special elections now. As with absentee ballot applications, any written request is acceptable.

Completed absentee and early ballot applications must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office.

Applications may be mailed: Town Clerk, 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876
Hand Delivered: to the drop box outside the main entrance to Town Hall
Faxed: 978-851-8610
or Emailed: townclerk@tewksbury-ma.gov If you are emailing your application, you must be able to send an image of the application as an attachment, either by scanning it or by taking a picture of it. A hand-written signature must be visible.

All mail-in ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by the close of polls on June 16, 2020 – a postmark is not sufficient. Absentee ballots may be mailed or hand-delivered by a family member. Please be sure to allow enough time for the mailing of your application and your ballot.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.