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The following was submitted by the Winchester Town Clerk’s Office:
Did you know that you can cast a vote early for the upcoming Annual Town Election? Election laws were amended years ago and allow for voters to cast ballots several ways. The world is a busy place with family, children, caretaking for your elderly parents and work it makes it difficult to vote on the traditional Election Day.
The Winchester Town Clerk offers a variety of options for the voter. It can be confusing, but here is straight talk from Town Clerk MaryEllen Marshall.
FACTS YOU MUST KNOW TO VOTE
APPLICATION TO VOTE BY MAIL/ABSENTEE BALLOT CLICK HERE
- You must be a registered voter to participate. If you are not yet a registered voter click here and register by March 11 by 11:59 p.m.
- Absentee Voting is available to those voters who will physically be absent from all the boundaries of the town between the hours of 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
This option will begin the week of March 2, 2026 at the Town Clerk’s counter and end at 12 noon Friday, March 20.
You must be ready to cast your vote, place in the absentee envelope, sign it and leave it with staff for safe keeping.
- Vote by Mail is available to those voters who would like to vote early through the mail. This is similar to absentee voting but without the excuse. We call it “no excuse voting.”
You may submit an application for VBM now up until Monday, March 16 at 4 p.m.
This option involves the USPS, therefore keep in mind the number of days it takes for the ballot to travel to and from. The Town Clerk’s Office must have these ballots on or before 8 p.m. on election night, Saturday, March 21 to be able to count in the totals.
It is recommended you consider overnight or priority mail to return your voted ballots when out of the area. You may place other family members voted sealed ballots in the same overnight or priority envelope for a cost savings measure.
- Early Voting In Person this is a wonderful option for so many voters as it offers 6 days of access to voting. It will begin at the Town Clerk’s Office on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and it will be available the full week of March 16 to 20 during normal office hours, with the exception of Monday, March 16 when the office is open until 7 p.m. polls.
ADA access is available at the rear of Town Hall with an elevator to the firsts floor. If you need additional support, please contact us at 781-721-7130 and we can make accommodations for the disabled.
- The Annual Town Election Warrant will be mailed to all households on Friday, March 6. There are QR codes on the warrant to direct you to the proper application and election webpage.
The warrant outlines the municipal offices that will appear on the ballot along with one prop 2 ½ operation override ballot question.
For more election information, check out the official website for the Town of Winchester.
