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1. How can I vote during the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election?

In July 2020 the Massachusetts State Legislature provided three different options for voting during the COVID-19 pandeminc. 

1. You may vote early/absentee by mail by submitting an application.  The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office (SOC) sent out postcards in July allowing allow current voters to request a ballot by mail (no excuses required).  Ballots will be mailed out and may be returned in the postage paid envelope or dropped off in the drop box that will be in front of Town Hall. The Clerk’s office does not yet have ballots but expect them sometime during the week of October 5th.  As soon as the ballots are received we will begin to mail them out.
2. There will be in person early voting at the Morse Institute Library beginning on Saturday, October 17, 2020 through Friday, October 30, 2020
   • Saturday’s and Sunday’s (October  17 & 18 and 24 & 25) : 10:00AM-3:00PM
   • Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
   • Thursday’s: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
   • Friday’s: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
3. The polls will be open on Election day, November 3rd from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

2. Who can vote by mail?

During the COVID-19 pandemic any registered voter may vote by mail.

3. What are the instructions for a vote by mail ballot (early or absentee)?

All mail in ballots include the following:

• Instructions for filling out the ballot.  Please use black or blue ink to assure that the vote tabulator will read the the ballot. Do not use red ink or pencil 
• The ballot
• An inner envelope which says either "ABSENTEE BALLOT ENVELOPE" or "EARLY BALLOT ENVELOPE" (yellow color)-- THIS MUST BE SIGNED.  (If it is not signed it will be rejected and not counted)
• A white postage pre-paid envelope to return the ballot by mail if you want or need to mail it back
• Ballots may also be dropped off at Town Hall.  There will be a ballot drop box at the front of the building.

4. Who is eligible to vote in the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election?

You may vote in this election as long as you are 18 years of age, on or before November 3, 2020 and are registered to vote. The last day to register to vote for this election is Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 8 PM that evening.  You may check your voter registration status on-line at the following link:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx  Please note that your voter registration status does not follow you if you have moved or if you have changed your last name.  You must register at your new address or under your new name.  Changing your address with the post office will not change your voter registration status.

5. How do I know if I am registered to vote?

If you recently registered to vote you should have, or will receive, a confirmation notice from the Town Clerk’s office confirming your registration and indicating your polling location. If you are not sure if you received a confirmation notice,   you may check a your voting status using the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx or call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext. 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you.  

6. How do I register to vote?

There are several ways to register to vote: 

1. You can register to vote on-line at the following link https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/  (You must have a Massachusetts drivers license or a State ID
2. You can download a voter registration form at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm and mail it to us or drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall at 13 East Central St. There is a mail slot to the right of the front door of Town Hall and you may also drop your form there. 
3. Town Hall remains closed to the public except by appointment.  Call (508) 647-6430 X4  to set up an appointment to register to vote. 
4. Any resident over age 16 may pre-register to vote.  If you are pre-registered you automatically be registered when you turn age 18 (even if it is after October 24).

7. Do I need identification to register to vote?

You do not need to show identification to register to vote. However, you are required to provide identification information on the form; either the last four digits of your social security number, your Massachusetts driver’s license number or Massachusetts State ID number. If you do not have that information when you register to vote you will be asked to show identification at the polls the first time that you vote in that location. The identification required at the polls must include the address at which you are registered. You may only register to vote on-line if you have a valid MA drivers license or State ID.

8. I moved and changed my address at the Post Office does my voter registration transfer to my new community or my new address within Natick?

No. You must re-register to vote in your new community. If you have moved within Natick you must register to vote at your new address. You must also re-register to vote if your last name has changed since you last registered even if your address did not change.

9. I recently moved and missed the voter registration deadline, may I vote at my previous polling location?

If you have moved within the last six (6) months and have not registered in your new community, you may vote at your previous address. If you moved more than six (6) months ago, you must register in your new community.

10. What hours are the polls open on Election day?

The polls will open at 7 AM in the morning and close at 8 PM in the evening. Anyone in line when the polls close at 8 PM will be able to vote.

11. I registered to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles but did not receive a confirmation notice from the Town of Natick, what should I do?

If you registered to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, you should receive a letter confirming your registration and your polling location. Please note: as of January 1, 2020 if you complete any business at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, you will automatically be registered to vote unless you opt out.If you are already registered your registration will remain the same.  If you were not previously registered you will be registered as an unenrolled voter (not a member of a political party).  Please note that this will not affect your ability to vote in a primary. These registrations are sent electronically through a statewide system. We urge you to call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext. 4 to confirm your registration if you have not received a confirmation letter, or check your voter registration status at the following site: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx There may be a lag time before the forms from the Registry of Motor Vehicles are received in the Town Clerk’s office. Confirming your voter registration will facilitate voting.

12. What candidates and ballot questions are on the ballot for this election?

Sample Ballots will be posted as soon as they are available.

13. Do I need to show ID at the polls?

Massachusetts does not have a voter ID law. The only time that you will be asked for identification is if you are a first time voter and did not provide identification information at the time you registered to vote or if you are an inactive voter. A voter may become inactive when they or the head of household does not return the Annual Town Census also known as the Street Listing which is mailed in January every year. An “inactive” voter will be asked for identification that shows that they live at the address at which they are registered and they will be asked to sign an affirmation of continuous residency. If you want to make sure that you are an active voter you may call the Town Clerk's office at (508) 647-6430 Ext 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you. You may change your voter status from inactive to active by re-registering to vote or completing the Annual Town Census. 

14. How do I find out where I vote?

The link below allows you to enter your address to determine where you vote:  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx  You may also call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 647-6430 Ext 4 and any member of the staff will be able to help you.

15. My last residence is Natick and I am on active military duty, how can I vote?

Citizens who are members of the military and are on active duty may vote as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website has detailed voting information for members of the military at the following link: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

16. I am a US citizen but live outside the continental United States, how can I vote?

The link below has very detailed information regarding voting for citizens who live either permanently or temporarily outside of the country and for voting for members of the military and their families: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm