A designated drop-box for mail-in ballots is now in place at the entrance to Town Hall, 54 Marion Rd.

Early voting for the state primary begins on Saturday, August 22, at Town Hall.

The Town Hall auditorium will be open for early voting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, September 1. 

Those with mail-in ballots can return them in person to the Town Clerk’s office, which is open from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Ballots can be placed in the drop box at any time.

During the State Primary Election, voters registered with a particular party will only be allowed to vote on that party’s ballot. Unenrolled or Independent voters may choose which party’s ballot to vote with, and will be unenrolled from that party after returning the ballot.

During early voting, only eight voters will be allowed in the auditorium at a time. All voters must wear a face covering. Those who don’t want to use provided pens and a voting booth may bring a blue or black ink Sharpie or Paper Mate Flair pen and a clipboard or book on which to fill out the ballot. Six feet of social distancing must be maintained between oneself and those not from one’s household.

Those safety guidelines will also apply on Election Day, which will be held at the polling locations throughout town as normal.

However, precincts four and five will vote at the Redmen Hall, 786 Main Street, instead of at the Decas School, for both elections.

August 22 is also the last day to register to vote for the state primary election. 

Ballots, including mail-in ballots, must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. It could take up to 11 days for a ballot to get to Town Hall through the mail.

Voters who have requested a vote-by-mail ballot can track the status of that application online at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema//track/trackmyballot.aspx.