By Beth David, Editor
Early voting will be available as of this Saturday, 8/22, for the state’s primary election on 9/1.
Contested primaries on both the Democratic and Republican sides for US Senator are Joe Kennedy challenging incumbent Edward Markey on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, Shiva Ayyadurai and Kevin O’Connor are vying for the chance to take on the Democrat.
All municipalities in Mass. will offer vote by mail, in-person early voting, and in-person voting on 9/1. Early voting dates are 8/22 to 8/28 including the weekend.
The last day to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, 8/22. The last day to apply by mail for an absentee or early ballot is 8/26. the last day to apply in person for an absentee or early ballot is 8/31.
To apply for an Absentee or an Early Vote by mail ballot:
Send in the postcard you received by mail from the State OR Go to the Mass.gov website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2020-Vote-by-Mail-Application.pdf) to print out and sign the application, then send it to the Town Clerk’s Office by mail, fax, or email.
In Fairhaven send to 40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719, Fax to 508-979-4079 or email to clerk@ fairhaven-ma.gov; In Acushnet, send to 130 Main Street (Parting Ways), Acushnet, MA 02743, or fax to 508-998-0216.
After you send in the postcard, the clerk will send your ballot to you with instructions on how to return it, including the location of drop off options.
Applications must reach your local election office by August 26 for the State Primary on 9/1. Applications must reach your local election office by October 28 for the State Election on 11/3.
In-person early voting.
FAIRHAVEN
For details on early voting polling places and times in Fairhaven, visit https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/town-clerk/pages/state-primary-election-2020 or call the Town Clerk at 508-979-4023, Ext. 3
ACUSHNET
Early voting will be available for the September 1 primary at the Parting Ways Building, 130 Main Street, Acushnet.
• Saturday, 8/22: 3–7 p.m.
• Sunday, 8/23: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Mon., Wed., Thurs., 8/24, 26, 27: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Tues., 8/25: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Fri., 8/25: 8 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Visit https://www.acushnet.ma.us/home/news/state-primary-september-1st-early-voting-in-person-schedule or call the Town Clerk at 508-998-0215.
In person
Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 9/1, and voters will vote at their regular polling places.
In Fairhaven the Fairhaven Council on Aging is providing transportation services to seniors in need. Call 508-979-4029 at least one day in advance to set up a ride.
Call the Acushnet Town Clerk at 508-998-0215.
In New Bedford
The New Bedford Election Commission has announced that Early Voting for the 2020 state primary election will be held at the New Bedford Main Library, 613 Pleasant Street, from Saturday August, 22 through Friday, August 28.
Any voter who wishes to cast their ballot in person prior to Election Day, September 1, may do so at the Main Library during the following hours:
• Saturday, 8/22: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 8/23: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, 8/24: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, 8/25: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, 8/26: 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 8/27: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, 8/28: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Voters may cast their votes for: Senator in Congress; Representative in Congress; Senator in General Court; Representatives in General Court for the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Thirteenth Bristol Districts; County Treasurer; County Commissioner; Governor’s Councillor; and Register of Probate.
As usual, on Election Day, Tuesday, September 1, polls will be open in the City of New Bedford from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional safety requirements including the use of masks/face coverings and the observance of social distancing will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Any New Bedford resident who is uncertain about their voting status, designated polling location, or who has changed their address since the last election, or any other question should contact the Election Commission office at 508-979-1420.
Track your ballot
After you mail in your ballot, you may track it at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx
For more information
Visit the state elections division at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm for more information, including sample ballots at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele20/state_primary_candidates20.htm
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