Vote by Mail, Accessible Vote by Mail, and Absentee Ballot Applications
Vote by Mail
To learn more about the 2024 Vote by Mail application and voting process, check out this explanatory video with Town Clerk Emily Mitchell: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cAABXIO7aAM&t=68s
With the passage of the VOTES Act on June 22, 2022, registered voters may vote by mail without having to meet any eligibility criteria.
Please note, Vote by Mail will be offered for all state elections, state primaries, and presidential primaries. It may be offered for local elections, though the Select Board may choose to opt out via a public vote taken at least 45 days before the relevant local election date.
Absentee voting is an option for all local, state, and federal elections for all voters who meet the eligibility criteria described below.
The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office will automatically send Vote by Mail application post cards to all individuals registered to vote at least 60 days prior to every state election, state primary, and presidential primary. You may also complete a blank Vote By Mail application, regardless of whether you receive an application from the State (application linked below). On the application sent out by the state, your name, address of voter registration, and registered party affiliation will be prefilled. If you complete a blank form, you will need to fill that information in yourself.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Post Card for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary has two versions - one for voters enrolled in a political party and one for voters who are not enrolled in a party (unenrolled or sometimes called independent). The version for unenrolled voters requires voters to select which party ballot they wish to receive for primary elections! Here's what they look like:
On either the state post card or the town form, you will then need to select which elections you would like to receive a mail-in ballot for (for 2024, you have five options: Presidential Primary Election (March 5, 2024), Annual Town Election (May 21, 2024), State Primary Election (September 3, 2024), Presidential Election (November 5, 2024), or ALL Elections. If you select "All Elections", you will received a mail-in ballot for four* of the scheduled 2024 elections). If you return an application selecting "All Elections", you do not need to submit any additional applications throughout the calendar year.
*The Select Board has opted out of Vote by Mail for the Special Town Election on April 9, 2024 and for the Annual Town Election on May 21, 2024. Qualified voters may still request an Absentee ballot for these elections.
Your application must be signed and dated!
Accessible Vote by Mail
Voters who are blind or have a vision impairment, have a mobility or dexterity disability, or have another disability that makes it difficult to mark a paper ballot independently qualify to vote electronically on an Accessible Vote by Mail ballot!
Voters must still apply for an Accessible Vote by Mail ballot. They may do so via a downloadable/printable application, available here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/download/vote-by-mail-ap...
Or through the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth's Online Mail In Ballot Application System, available here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.aspx
The downloadable/printable form may be completed and returned to the Clerk's Office by mail, e-mail, fax, or in person at our counter or via secure dropbox. The online application is transmitted to the Clerk's Office automatically after you click "submit".
On either application, please be sure to check the appropriate box confirming that you qualify to use the Accessible Vote by Mail system because you are unable to independently mark a paper ballot.
Two other important notes:
- If the Town opts out of Vote by Mail for a local election, voters may still submit Accessible Vote by Mail applications and vote using the accessible portal,
- The AutoMARK Accessible Marking Unit will still be available during all In Person Early Voting and Election Day voting for voters wishing to vote in person.
Please note, you may only vote in each election once. If you vote by mail, you may not vote in person.
Absentee Voting
Voting by Absentee Ballot remains an option if you meet one of the three eligibility criteria described below.
You are eligible for an absentee ballot for the following reasons:
- Absent from the Town on Election Day,
- Disability that prevents you from voting at your polling location on Election Day, or
- Religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling location on Election Day
A signed application is REQUIRED. You may send a request to the office of the Town Clerk using a formal application, or you may send any form of written communication to the Town Clerk at 732 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645.