Elections & Voting

Town Clerk's Responsibilities

The Town Clerk administers elections and election-related processes and functions. The Registrars of Voters, appointed by the Select Board, oversee voter registration and voter records.  Election administration is managed by the Town Clerk and staff of the Town Clerk's office. The Registrars assist the Town Clerk's office in promoting voter registration, maintaining voter registration, certifying signatures on nomination papers and petitions, issuing party enrollment certificates, certifying absentee voter applications, investigating challenges to local nomination papers, conducting recounts, and assisting in the preparation of the street list.

General Duties & Administration

The Town Clerk administers the nomination and election processes, registers voters, conducts the annual municipal census, and certifies applications and documents for veterans' bonuses. The Town Clerk also verifies residences, prepares and provides statistics on elections and census, and provides general assistance for citizens, political parties, and members of the press.

The Town Clerk conducts all presidential primaries, state primaries, state, presidential, and Town elections. The responsibilities of the Town Clerk include:

  • Voter registration
  • Supplying nomination papers for candidates, initiatives and referenda
  • Certification of signatures on all nomination papers and petitions
  • Printing ballots for Town elections
  • Maintenance of elections system
  • Recruitment of poll workers
  • Tallying elections results
  • Maintaining and preserving the records of the election

Early Voting

The "VOTES Act" allows a provision for Early Voting by MAIL for all upcoming elections.  

If you choose to vote by Mail, please remember that all ballots must be returned by 8PM on election night.

To request an early voting ballot, please fill out and sign the Vote by Mail Application (PDF) for each person making a request. Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you are emailing your application, you may either scan or take a photo of your signed application and email it to your local election office. Typed signatures are not acceptable.

Absentee Voting

Absentee Ballot Eligibility

To qualify for an absentee ballot, at least one of the following must apply to you:

  • Be away from your city/town on Election Day
  • Have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place
  • Have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day

To request an absentee ballot, please fill out and sign the Absentee Ballot Request Form (PDF) for each person making a request. Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you are emailing your application, you may either scan or take a photo of your signed application and email it to your local election office. Typed signatures are not acceptable.

Absentee ballots must be requested in writing at least 4 business days before Election Day. Applications are available for download below, but any written request is acceptable if it has your signature on it. For absentee ballots, a member of your family may also make the request on your behalf.

Resources