From City Clerk David Olson:
For the first time in Massachusetts, all registered voters will be able to vote before Election Day. Early Voting will begin on Oct. 24 and continue through Nov. 4.
Prior to the enactment of Early Voting, the only way a registered voter was allowed to vote before Election Day was through an absentee ballot. Absentee voting will still be available for registered voters who qualify: those who will be absent from the City of Newton on Election Day; have a disability that prevents them from going to the polls; or have a religious belief preventing the same.
Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early.
Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/.
If you need to register to vote, you may do it online by visiting: www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. All you need is a license or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the November 8th State Election, you must register to vote, or make any necessary changes to your voter registration, by October 19th, 2016.
Early voting will be available in Newton at the dates, times and locations listed below. For public convenience, Newton has included evening and weekend hours.
Newton City Hall – 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Monday, October 24 through Thursday, October 27, 2016 8:30 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, October 28, 2016 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, October 29, 2016 Noon to 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 30, 2016 Noon to 5:00 pm
Monday, October 31 through Thursday, November 3, 2016 8:30 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, November 4, 2016 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Newton North High School – 457 Walnut Street
Saturday October 29 & Sunday, October 30, 2016 Noon to 5:00 pm
Newton South High School – 140 Brandeis Road
Saturday October 29 & Sunday, October 30, 2016 Noon to 5:00 pm
Coleman House – 677 Winchester Street
Monday, October 24, 2016 1:00pm to 4:00 pm
Lasell Village – 120 Seminary Avenue (limited parking)
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 10:00 am to Noon
Falls at Cordingly Dam – 2300 Washington Street
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Golda Meir House – 160 Stanton Avenue (limited parking)
Friday, October 28, 2016 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Evans Park – 430 Cente Street
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 9:00 am to Noon
Please note: Once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.
For the first time in Massachusetts, the first choice all voters will make is which day to vote. Early voting will make the most fundamental right of our citizens more convenient than ever to exercise. We encourage all of our citizens to exercise that right and take advantage of the opportunity to vote on their schedules.
