Election Information

Where Do I Vote?

The Town of Harwich has four (4) voting precincts. The Election Day polling location for all four precincts is located at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich, MA 02645. 

For elections with in person early voting (all presidential primaries, state primaries, and state elections), voters from all precincts will vote at the Harwich Town Hall, 732 Main Street, Harwich, MA 02645. We will post detailed dates and times for all elections below as they are scheduled.

Want to know what to expect when you arrive at the polls on Election Day? Check out this Walk Through video to see what happens beginning when you pull into the Community Center parking lot, through the process of casting your ballot, checking out, and exiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVxNam2BnCM&t=1s

Are You Registered to Vote? Check your status!

Need to Register to Vote?
You can register online through the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth's website or call/visit the Town Clerk's Office. You can update or make changes to your registration at our office or we can send you registration materials by mail.

Local Office Holders/Candidates for Local Office
Visit the MA Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) website for information and forms related to your campaign finance reporting obligations!


2024 Election Information

There are five (5) scheduled elections taking place in the Town of Harwich in 2024. Three are state/federal elections (Presidential Primary, State Primary, and Presidential Election) and two are local (Special Election to fill Select Board vacancy and Annual Town Election).

We have summarized important dates and deadlines in the following table, and provided a more detailed breakdown of information for each election event below.


2024 Election Snapshot

Election EventElection DateVoter Registration DeadlineVote by Mail/Absentee Ballot Application Deadline
(must be received by deadline)
In Person Early Voting 

Presidential Primary Election

March 5, 2024

February 24, 2024

February 27, 2024

Yes; February 24  - March 1, 2024; Hours Below

 

Special Town Election

April 9, 2024

March 29, 2024

Vote by Mail - Not
applicable
Absentee Ballot Application - Tuesday, April 2, 2024

No

 

Annual Town Election

May 21, 2024

April 26, 2024

Vote by Mail - Not
applicable
Absentee Ballot Application - Tuesday, May 14, 2024

TBD if will be offered 

 

State Primary Election

September 3, 2024

August 24, 2024

August 26, 2024

Yes; August 24 - August 30, 2024; Hours - TBD

 

Presidential Election

November 5, 2024

October 26, 2024

October 29, 2024

Yes; October 19 - November 1, 2024; Hours - TBD

 

Presidential Primary Election – March 5, 2024

Official Results: Democratic Party, Republican Party, Libertarian Party


Special Town Election – April 9, 2024

Office to Appear on the Ballot:

  • Select Board (to fill a vacancy, term to expire May 21, 2024)

Sample Ballot (click ballot image to view full size):

April 9, 2024 Special Town Election Sample Ballot

Details for Voters:

Voters will have the option to vote by Absentee ballot or in person on Election Day. 

Voter Registration Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024

  • In Person at Town Clerk’s Office: Until 5 PM
  • By Mail: Received in Town Clerk’s Office by 5 PM
  • Online at MA Secretary of the Commonwealth website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/): Submit by 11:59 PM

Deadline to Apply for Absentee Ballot: Application received by Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 5 PM

NOTE: The Select Board voted to opt out of Vote by Mail for the Special Town Election at their meeting on February 12, 2024. This vote followed a noticed public hearing and was conducted via roll call vote, with a 4-0 vote to opt out. There will be no Vote by Mail for this Election. All qualified voters may still vote by Absentee ballot (note the application deadline above).

Deadline to Vote Absentee in Person: Monday, April 8, 2024 at 12 PM (must meet Absentee voting qualification criteria)

Deadline to Vote Absentee by Mail: Ballot must be received by close of polls on Election Day, Tuesday, April 9, 2024


Details for Candidates:

  • First Day to Obtain Nomination Papers: Tuesday, December 26, 2024
  • Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers: Friday, February 16, 2024 until 5 PM
  • Last Day to Submit Nomination Papers: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 until 5 PM
  • Last Day to Withdraw from Candidacy: Thursday, March 7, 2024 until 5 PM (withdrawal must be made in writing)

Annual Town Election – May 21, 2024

Offices to Appear on the Ballot:

Select Board (3-year term)One (1) Vacancy
Moderator (3-year term)One (1) Vacancy
Monomoy Regional School Committee (3-year term)

One (1) Vacancy

Water/Wastewater Commission (3-year term)Two (2) Vacancies
Brooks Free Library Board of Trustees (3-year term)Three (3) Vacancies
Harwich Housing Authority (5-year term)One (1) Vacancy

Details for Voters:

Voters will have the option to vote by Absentee ballot or in person on Election Day.

Voter Registration Deadline (for both Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election): Friday, April 26, 2024

  • In Person at Town Clerk’s Office: Until 5 PM
  • By Mail: Received in Town Clerk’s Office by 5 PM
  • Online at MA Secretary of the Commonwealth website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/): Submit by 11:59 PM

Deadline to Apply for Absentee Ballot: Application received by Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 5 PM

NOTE: The Select Board voted to opt out of Vote by Mail for the Special Town Election at their meeting on March 25, 2024. This vote followed a noticed public hearing and was conducted via roll call vote, with a 4-0 vote to opt out. There will be no Vote by Mail for this Election. All qualified voters may still vote by Absentee ballot (note the application deadline above).

Deadline to Vote Absentee in Person: Monday, May 20, 2024 at 12 PM (must meet Absentee voting qualification criteria)

Deadline to Vote Absentee by Mail: Ballot must be received by close of polls on Election Day, Tuesday, May 21, 2024


Details for Candidates:

  • First Day to Obtain Nomination Papers: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
  • Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers: Friday, March 29, 2024 until 5 PM
  • Last Day to Submit Nomination Papers: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 until 5 PM
  • Last Day to Withdraw from Candidacy: Thursday, April 18, 2024 until 5 PM (withdrawal must be made in writing)

State Primary Election – September 3, 2024

Offices to Appear on the Ballot:

  • U.S. Senator
  • U.S. Representative
  • Governor’s Councillor
  • State Senator
  • State Representative
  • Register of Deeds
  • Clerk of Courts
  • County Commissioner

Voters will vote on a particular ballot style: Democrat, Libertarian, or Republican. Unenrolled voters may select any style. Voters registered in one of the three named parties may only select that party’s ballot.

Voters will have the option to vote by mail, vote early in person, or to vote in person on Election Day

Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, August 24, 2024

  • In Person at Town Clerk’s Office until 5 PM
  • By Mail – received in Town Clerk’s Office by 5 PM
  • Online at MA Secretary of the Commonwealth website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/): Submit by 11:59 PM

In Person Early Voting: August 24, 2024 – August 30, 2024 (hours TBD)

Deadline to Apply for Vote by Mail or Absentee Ballot: Application must be received by Monday, August 26, 2024 at 5 PM.

Deadline to Vote Absentee In Person: Friday, August 30, 2024, at 5 PM (must meet Absentee voting qualification criteria).

Deadline to Vote Early or Absentee by Mail: Ballot must be received by close of polls on Election Day, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.


Presidential Election – November 5, 2024

Offices to Appear on the Ballot:

  • Electors of President and Vice President
  • U.S. Senator
  • U.S. Representative
  • Governor’s Councillor
  • State Senator
  • State Representative
  • Register of Deeds
  • Clerk of Courts
  • County Commissioner
  • Barnstable County Assembly Delegate – Harwich

Voters will have the option to vote by mail, vote early in person, or to vote in person on Election Day

Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, October 26, 2024

  • In Person at Town Clerk’s Office until 5 PM
  • By Mail – received in Town Clerk’s Office by 5 PM
  • Online at MA Secretary of the Commonwealth website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/): Submit by 11:59 PM

In Person Early Voting: October 19, 2024 – November 1, 2024 (hours TBD)

Deadline to Apply for Vote by Mail or Absentee Ballot: Application must be received by Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 5 PM.

Deadline to Vote Absentee In Person: Monday, November 4, 2024, at 12 PM (must meet Absentee voting qualification criteria).

Deadline to Vote Early or Absentee by Mail:

  • If mailed within the United States: postmarked by Election Day (11/5/24) and received by Friday, November 8, 2024, at 5 PM
  • If mailed from outside the United States: postmarked by Election Day (11/5/24) and received by Friday, November 15, 2024, at 5 PM.

Vote by Mail and Absentee Voting - see separate tab for additional information and applications!

 
We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to ensure we have time to send you your ballot by mail and for you to return it to the Town Clerk's office for processing.
 

Campaign Finance Reports - Candidates for Local Office