Election news: Tomorrow is deadline to register; Early voting begins Monday

Town Clerk Jim Hegarty asked me to alert voters that you can avoid long lines on November 8th by voting early this year. It’s also a good time to remind you that tomorrow (October 19th) is the deadline to register to vote in the Presidential Election.

(You may have received a notice incorrectly stating November 19th as the registration deadline. But that’s 11 days after the election – so wouldn’t do you much good this time around!)

To take care of your registration, swing by the Town Clerk’s office – or save time by clicking here to do it online. Or you can use this handy QR code by clicking on the thumbnail right.

As for early voting, Southborough will open that up next Monday, October 24th. Hegarty is even opening Town Hall on Saturday, October 29th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm so more people can take advantage of the opportunity.

Early voting was adopted by Massachussetts this year. And Hegarty believes it is important for this elections. He’s predicting November 8th voting to be a slower, longer process than usual, since:

• It is likely we will see 90% of the voters turn out,
• There are 4 lengthy questions on the ballot and if people don’t tread them in advance, it could really slow up the voting process.
• There may be a record number of write-ins.

Hegarty also shared some important information and links relevant to the election, including details on ballot questions and absentee ballots. Here is the full notice he emailed residents [with a corrected registration deadline]: 

Presidential/State Election Voter Information
November 8, 2016
The polls will be open from 6:30 am until 8:00 pm

The last day to register to vote is October 19.

** New This Year – Early Voting! **

• Vote when it’s convenient for your schedule. Don’t wait until November 8!
• Vote anytime between October 24th – November 4th.
• Vote at the Town Clerk’s Office Southborough Town House – 17 Common Street.
• Vote whenever the Town House is open:
  • Monday 8 am – 5 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am – 7 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm
  • Thursday 8 am – 5 pm
  • Friday 8 am – noon
• Also we’ll be open on Saturday, October 29th from 8 am – 5 pm
• No extra paperwork is needed.
• Vote early for any reason!
• Avoid the long lines at the polls – Vote Early‼

There are also 4 lengthy ballot questions.
Please take a few minutes to read these questions before you go to the polls:

Click here to:Read the 4 Ballot Questions

Click here to: Register online!

Click here to: Verify my voting status

Click here to learn about absentee ballots:Absentee Ballot Information

A few thoughts on Absentee Ballots:

• Allow at least 7 – 10 days for the Post Office to deliver the ballot to the Clerk.
• Be sure to put 2 first class stamps on the envelope.
• Remember to sign the inner envelope that contains your ballot.

Please call me at (508) 485-0710 x 3005 if you have any questions.

Thank you!
Jim Hegarty
Southborough Town Clerk

In addition to the above links, Hegarty shared a pdf of the ballot questions mailer.