Early Voting Begins Monday 10/24

Upton’s Town Clerk, Kelly McElreath is excited to announce that all registered voters will be able to vote before Election Day for the first time ever in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on October 24^th and continue through November 4^th, 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 their city or town 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: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele. If you need to register to vote, you may do it online by visiting: http://www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. All you need is a license or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the November 8^th State Election, you must register to vote or make any necessary changes to your voter registration by October 19^th, 2016.

Early voting can be done in person at Upton Town Hall, 1 Main St on the following dates and times:

• Monday – 10/24:  8 am- 4 pm
• Tuesday – 10/25:  8 am – 6 pm
• Wednesday – 10/26:  8 am – 4pm
• Thursday – 10/27:  8 am to 4 pm
• Friday – 10/28:  8 am – 12 pm
• Saturday 10/29:  8 am – 2 pm
• Sunday 10/30:  No Hours
• Monday 10/31: 8 am – 4 pm
• Monday 10/31 Senior Center Hours: 10 am- 12 pm
• Tuesday 11/1: 8 am – 8 pm
• Wednesday 11/2: 8 am – 4 pm
• Thursday 11/3: 8 am – 8 pm
• Friday 11/4: 8 am – 2 pm

Please note, however, 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.