Dear fellow Hanoverians:
Hanover Town Clerk Catherine Harder-Bernier recently reminded voters that
the VOTES Act of 2022 permanently changed several voting laws in
Massachusetts. Among other changes, it gave the Board of Registrars of
Voters the authority to recommend…or to not recommend…in person Early
Voting for local elections (at local taxpayer expense) to the Select Board.
As we start to see local election lawn signs pop up around town, please
know that the Board of Registrars met back in January and unanimously voted
to NOT recommend that the town host in-person Early Voting sessions in
advance of the local Annual Town Election. However, “no-excuse necessary”
Vote by Mail is required by law for a local election (unless the Select
Board holds a public hearing and then votes to opt-out of Vote by Mail at
least 45 days prior to the local election, which they did not do). The
Registrars felt strongly that Vote by Mail offers voters enough opportunity
to request a ballot, and that the unnecessary taxpayer expense of in-person
Early Voting was not necessary for this local election.
So, how do you request a Vote by Mail ballot? It’s super easy to do.
Unlike State Primaries or State Elections, the Commonwealth will not be
sending you a postcard application. This is even easier! All you have to
do is click on this link:
http://atotw.com/maillist/lt.php?tid=GSYBw2HNQv26QItkGh91zQOKBdMvfeJMiMx1UFbxTz5oqLt7nDMYRqoN783ZLADJ
, verify your voter registration status, and then electronically request a
mail-in ballot for all 2023 elections with a push of a button. If you know
someone who does not have a computer, paper applications are also available
outside of the Town Clerk’s Office, or you can print one for them from this
link:
http://atotw.com/maillist/lt.php?tid=I2ICIGNam4eeb+er1mpz2wOKBdMvfdJMiMx1UFbxTz5oqLt7nDMoRqoN783ZLADJ
. Thanks for helping to help people to vote!
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the May 13th Annual Town
Election is Monday, May 8th at 5:00 p.m. The Town Clerk’s Office
recommends applying as soon as possible due to potential mail delays.
Completed ballots must be delivered to the Town Clerk before the close of
polls on Saturday, May 13th. Don’t forget about the handy ballot drop box
outside of Town Hall!
For more information, please e-mail Town Clerk Catherine Harder-Bernier at
catherine.harderbernier@hanover-ma.gov .
For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B
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