EarlyVoting Options

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Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness

Elder services for outpatient physical therapy needs following surgery. From total joint replacements, balance and other muscle, bone, and joint injuries.

3 convenient locations - Pittseld, Dalton and Lenox Pittseld Ofce Dalton Ofce Lenox Ofce

740 Williams Street 400 Main Street 90 Pittseld Road Pittseld, MA 01201 Dalton, MA 01226 Lenox, MA 01240 413-447-8070 413-684-9783 413-637-2810

Massachussetts Provides Mail-In And EarlyVoting Options For2020 Elections

In response to COVID-19 Governor Charlie Baker has enacted a new law that expands both early and mail-in options for the state’s upcoming primary and general elections. For the first time Massachusetts will have early voting before the September 1 st state primary election and the November 3 rd general election. The law for the 2020 elections allows early in-person voting. Early in-person voting for the September 1 s t primary will take place between August 22 and August 28. For the November 3 rd general election the law expands the state’s 10 day early voting period to 14 days from Saturday October 17 to Friday October 30 with cities and towns required to make voting available on the two Saturdays and Sundays during this two-week period.

The idea behind adding earlier voting is to spread out the number of people who will cast their ballot in person. Cities and towns will most likely consolidate poling sites and designate their polling places 20 days before the election to ensure that the public is informed and that locations comply with safety and health requirements. For individuals choosing to vote in-person there will be rules on distancing between voters and elections officers, frequent use of hand sanitizers and use of protective equipment.

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The new law that is specific to the 2020 elections also makes it possible for registered voters to vote by mail. Every person who was registered to vote by July 1 was mailed an application. You can also print the online application or simple write a letter to your local election office including your name and address. The application allows voters to request a vote-by-mail ballot for both the primary and/or general elections. The application is then faxed, mailed or emailed to your local city or town hall which will process it and send back your ballot. Once you receive and fill out your voting ballot, you can mail it back to your local election office in the pre-addressed, prestamped envelope that will come with the ballot. Completed ballots can also be dropped off in person at the election office or in secure drop boxes that cities and towns are required to provide this year.

Residents in long-term care facilities face challenges when it comes to voting including registering to cast their votes. It is important that residents are registered and that their local city or town election office have their current address. Nursing home residents can vote by absentee ballot or this year there is the vote-by-mail option offered for all registered voters. Individuals who need assistance to register or vote should have someone contact their local elections office on their behalf.

For BOTH elections all registered voters have the option to mail in their ballot-with no excuses needed.

Voters can find more information about their voting options, on-line applications, voter registration and specific deadline dates on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sec.state. ma.us or contact their local city or town elections offices.