Early Voting Begins Oct. 24 in Winchester

From the Town of Winchester

We are excited to announce that all registered voters will be able vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on October 24th and continue through November 4th, 2016. Prior to the enactment of this new law, 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 Winchester 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. 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 on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele

For those United State Citizens who are NOT currently registered to vote you may do so by visiting: www.RegisterToVoteMA.com

The deadline to register to vote is Wednesday, OCTOBER 19th by 8pm postmark or midnight online. You must be at least 18 years old and a United States Citizen (or naturalized) on or before Election Day November 8th and have a license or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. If you have become a naturalized citizen after October 19th but not later than November 8th you will be eligible to vote on November 8th.

Early voting can be done in person or by mail. The Winchester Town Clerk’s Office will be the location for EARLY VOTING. You may vote early in person beginning on Monday October 24th at 8am and run through Friday, November 4th until 4pm. Click here for the full schedule of hours https://www.winchester.us/430/...

Also, registered voters have the option to request an early voting ballot through the mail. Simply fill out an application and mail it to Winchester Town Clerk, 71 Mt. Vernon St, Winchester, MA 01890.

Click here to download the application https://www.winchester.us/200/...

Please note, unlike absentee balloting, once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.

For the first time in Massachusetts, the first choice all voters will make is which day to vote. Early voting will make the most fundamental right of our citizens more convenient than ever to exercise. We encourage all of our citizens to exercise that right and take advantage of the opportunity to vote on their schedules.