Absentee Ballots for Winchester Residents Available

The following was submitted by Town Clerk Mary Ellen Lannon.

Absentee ballots for the March 6, 2012 Presidential Primary will be available on Wednesday Feb. 8, according to Town Clerk MaryEllen Lannon.

Registered voters who expect to be out of town on Election Day, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. when the polls are open, or who are unable to get to the polls because of illness or physical disability, may apply for an absentee ballot, which will be mailed to them as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 8. Requests for ballots must be in writing, and signed by the voter or an immediate family member.

Requests for absentee ballots should be addressed to the Town Clerk and mailed or dropped off at Town Hall.

Voters who are permanently disabled may have their names placed on a list to automatically receive applications for absentee ballots for every election.  A letter to the Town Clerk from the voter’s physician stating that the voter is not able to go the polls because of permanent disability is required. 

Parents of students at colleges inside or outside Massachusetts may apply for ballots for their children.  Special family member application forms are available at the Office of the Town Clerk as well as on the Town’s Official website at www.winchester.us  Click on Town Clerk Elections and Voting.

Monday, March 5 at 12Noon is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot, but voters are cautioned to apply early, to allow enough time for the ballot to reach them and for them to return the ballot in time for it to be counted at the polls on March 6.

Additionally, those voters who will not be in Winchester when the polls are open on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot in person at the Town Clerk's Office beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 8.  For more information, please contact the Town Clerk at 781-721-7130.