Here’s all you need to know about voting in the Tri-Town

Oct 1, 2020

Aside from the presidential election race between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, Massachusetts voters will be deciding between incumbent US Senator Ed Markey or Republican challenger Kevin O’Connor for Markey’s senate seat. 

Voters will also choose between incumbent US Representative Bill Keating and Republican challenger Helen Brady for Keating’s house seat in the state’s ninth congressional district.

In the Massachusetts state legislature for the Tri-Town area’s districts, Democratic incumbent William Straus will be running unopposed for his seat in the house.

Democratic incumbent state senators Michael Rodrigues, Marc Pacheco, and Mark Montigny will run unopposed for their seats in Rochester, Marion, and Mattapoisett, respectively.

Two questions on proposed legislation will also appear on the 2020 ballot in Massachusetts. 

Question 1 would require automakers to release telematic data for any vehicle sold in the state starting from model year 2022, while Question 2 would establish a ranked choice voting system for future federal and state elections.

You can vote in the election in three ways.

By mail/dropbox: In late summer, the state mailed applications for mail-in ballots to all registered voters. If you returned that application, you should get a ballot in the mail in the next few weeks.

To request a mail-in or absentee ballot, contact your respective Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 (Marion), 508-758-4100 (Mattapoisett), or 508-763-3871 ext. 17 (Rochester).

All requests must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28.

In completing the ballot, make sure to carefully follow directions, returning the ballot in two provided envelopes and signing as directed. Drop in the mail or in at your respective ballot drop box

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, and received by the Town Clerk by 5 p.m. on November 6 to be counted.

Early in person: In Mattapoisett, residents can vote early at the Town Clerk’s office, 16 Main Street, until Oct. 30. Polls will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m to noon on Sundays.

In Rochester, early voting will take place at the Rochester Senior Center, 66 Dexter Lane, from now to Oct. 29. Polls will be open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon.

In-person early voting will be at the Town Clerk’s office, 2 Spring Street, on Oct. 30 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. 

Face masks are required and cannot promote a candidate. Volunteer poll workers will be wearing personal protective equipment and sanitizing surfaces and booths after every visitor.

In person on Nov. 3: On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at your local polling place, which is the same as for the Sept. 1 primary.

In Marion, polls are located at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. In Mattapoisett, Election Day voting will take place at Old Hammondtown School, 20 Shaw Street. In Rochester, residents can vote at the Rochester Senior Center.

Masks are required. Those unsure of their precinct can find out at sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx.

To find out if your ballot has been received: Go to www.trackmyballotMA.com. If your ballot has not been received, you are eligible to vote in person. If you do vote in person, any previously mailed vote will not be counted.

For more information, call your respective Town Clerk’s Office at the numbers listed above during normal business hours.