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Town Clerk Voting Information

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1. Who is eligible to vote in the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election?

You may vote in this election as long as you are 18 years of age, on or before March 3, 2020 and are registered to vote. The last day to register to vote for this election is Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The Town Clerk’s office will remain open until 8 PM that evening.  You may check your voter registration status on-line at the following link:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx  Please note that your voter registration status does not follow you if you have moved or if you have changed your last name.  You must register at your new address or under your new name.

2. Is Massachusetts holding early voting this year?

Yes, Massachusetts will be holding early voting for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary. The early voting period will begin on Monday, February 24, 2020 and end on Friday, February 28, 2020

Early voting will be held in Town Hall.  The hours are: Monday-Wednesday: 8AM-5PM; Thursday: 8AM-7PM; Friday: 8AM-4PM. No application is required to vote early and any registered voter may vote early.

Please note that if you vote early you may not change your mind and choose to go to the polls on election day.

3. How do I register to vote?

There are several ways to register to vote: 

1. You can register to vote on-line at the following link https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/  (You must have a Massachusetts drivers license or a State ID
2. You can download a voter registration form at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm and mail it to us or drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall at 13 East Central St. If you mail in your form it MUST be postmarked on or before February 12th.
3. You may come in to the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall at 13 East Central St. and register in person. The office is open Monday-Wednesday 8AM-5PM; Thursday: 8AM-7PM and Friday: 8AM-12:30 PM. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 8PM on Wednesday, February 12th which is the last day to register for this election.

4. Do I need identification to register to vote?

You do not need to show identification to register to vote. However, you are required to provide identification information on the form; either the last four digits of your social security number, your Massachusetts driver’s license number or Massachusetts State ID number. If you do not have that information when you register to vote you will be asked to show identification at the polls the first time that you vote in that location. The identification required at the polls must include the address at which you are registered. You may only register to vote on-line if you have a valid MA drivers license or State ID.

5. How do I know if I am registered to vote?

If you recently registered to vote you should have, or will receive, a confirmation notice from the Town Clerk’s office confirming your registration and indicating your polling location. If you are not sure if you received a confirmation notice,  If you would like to confirm your registration you may check a your voting status using the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx or call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext. 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you. The Town Clerk’s office is open Monday – Wednesday 8AM - 5PM, Thursday 8AM - 7PM, and Friday 8AM - 12:30PM. 

6. I registered to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles but did not receive a confirmation notice from the Town of Natick, what should I do?

If you registered to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, you should receive a letter confirming your registration and your polling location. Please note: as of January 1, 2020 if you complete any business at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, you will automatically be registered to vote unless you opt out.If you are already registered your registration will remain the same.  If you were not previously registered you will be registered as an unenrolled voter (not a member of a political party).  Please note that this will not affect your ability to vote in a primary. These registrations are sent electronically through a statewide system. We urge you to call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext. 4 to confirm your registration if you have not received a confirmation letter, or check your voter registration status at the following site: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx There may be a lag time before the forms from the Registry of Motor Vehicles are received in the Town Clerk’s office. Confirming your voter registration will facilitate voting.

7. I moved and changed my address at the Post Office does my voter registration transfer to my new community or my new address within Natick?

No. You must re-register to vote in your new community. If you have moved within Natick you must register to vote at your new address. You must also re-register to vote if your last name has changed since you last registered even if your address did not change.

8. I recently moved and missed the voter registration deadline, may I vote at my previous polling location?

If you have moved within the last six (6) months and have not registered in your new community, you may vote at your previous address. If you moved more than six (6) months ago, you must register in your new community.

9. What candidates and ballot questions are on the ballot for this election?

Sample Ballots are posted at https://www.natickma.gov/1681/Presidential-Primary---March-3-2020  and at Town Hall.

10. What hours are the polls open on Election day?

The polls will open at 7 AM in the morning and close at 8 PM in the evening. Anyone in line when the polls close at 8 PM will be able to vote.

11. Do I need to show ID at the polls?

Massachusetts does not have a voter ID law. The only time that you will be asked for identification is if you are a first time voter and did not provide identification information at the time you registered to vote or if you are an inactive voter. A voter may become inactive when they or the head of household does not return the Annual Town Census also known as the Street Listing which is mailed in January every year. An “inactive” voter will be asked for identification that shows that they live at the address at which they are registered and they will be asked to sign an affirmation of continuous residency. If you want to make sure that you are an active voter you may call the Town Clerk's office at (508) 647-6430 Ext 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you. You may change your voter status from inactive to active by re-registering to vote or completing the Annual Town Census. 

12. How do I find out where I vote?

The link below allows you to enter your address to determine where you vote:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx  You may also call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you.

13. Who can vote absentee?

In Massachusetts, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, voters may vote by absentee ballot “if they will be absent from the town on election day, and/or have a physical disability which prevents them from voting at their polling location, and/or cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs”.

14. How can I get an absentee ballot?

You may get an application for an absentee ballot in the Town Clerk’s office or you may download the application at the following link: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm  The application must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 12 PM (Noon) on the day prior to the election. All absentee ballots must be completed following the instructions which are included when they are mailed out. You may also vote, after completing an absentee ballot application, in the Town Clerk’s office during business hours if you find that you will not be able to vote on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots may be dropped off by a family member but must be received by 8 PM (the time the polls close) on election day.  A completed absentee ballot, appropriately signed and sealed, may be mailed or dropped off at the Town Clerk’s office but MAY NOT be delivered directly to a polling location.

15. May I request an absentee ballot for my child, spouse or parent?

Yes.  The application may be completed by:

• A registered voter; or
• A voter's family member including a spouse, roommate, parent, sibling, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandparent, grandchild, or in-law.
• The form is available at the Town Clerk’s office or at the following link http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pd.
• The absentee ballot, when it is returned, must be signed and sealed following the instructions which are provided to the voter. This ballot may be mailed or dropped off at the Town Clerk’s office.

16. My last residence is Natick and I am on active military duty, how can I vote?

Citizens who are members of the military and are on active duty may vote as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website has detailed voting information for members of the military at the following link: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

17. I am a US citizen but live outside the continental United States, how can I vote?

The link below has very detailed information regarding voting for citizens who live either permanently or temporarily outside of the country and for voting for members of the military and their families: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm