Important Voting Information for the 2020 General Election

By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Oct. 2020

The 2020 general election is fast approaching, with November 3 as the last day to vote. The State Legislature has passed a law to give citizens options to vote safely and securely during the pandemic, including (1) voting by mail, (2) voting in person at an early voting location before election day, and (3) voting in person at the polls on election day.

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To improve voter turnout, I am continuing to work with Generation Citizen to promote civic engagement for our young people. Since passing the civics education law I sponsored in 2018, we have continued to advocate for funding to implement the law equitably statewide, so that our youth have the tools for lifelong civic participation in our democracy.

If you are not registered to vote, you may register online at www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR by October 24. You may also register by mail using the form at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm or in person through your City Clerk. Methuen City Clerk Jack Wilson can be reached at (978) 983-8515, and Haverhill City Clerk Linda Koutoulas can be reached at (978) 374-2312.

All voters are eligible to vote by mail this year. If you would like to vote by mail, you must have submitted an application to the City Clerk. Applications were mailed to voters and were available online at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ under “Vote by Mail” – this link allows you to submit your application online or download a paper form.

The completed paper form can be mailed, emailed, or delivered to the City Clerk. All applications must be received by the City Clerk by October 28, though it is recommended to submit them by October 20 to ensure time for processing. After you submit your application, you will receive your ballot in the mail. Your completed ballot can be returned by mail (it will come with a pre-stamped return envelope) or dropped off with the City Clerk. Your ballot must be postmarked by November 3 and arrive to the City Clerk by November 6. Return your ballot as early as possible to make sure it is counted.

Early in-person voting will be held October 17-30. In Methuen, early voting will be held at the Loop (90 Pleasant Valley St, Suite 320 – next to Marshalls and Olympia Sports). Weekday hours (Oct. 19-23 & 26-30) will be 8AM-4:30PM, with extended hours on Oct. 21 & 28 from 8AM-7PM. Weekend hours (Oct. 17-18 & 24-25) will be 11AM-4PM.

In Haverhill, early voting weekday hours (Oct. 19-23 & 26-30) will be 8AM-4PM in the basement of City Hall (4 Summer St – old RMV office), with extended hours on Oct. 22 & 28 from 8AM-8PM. Weekend hours (Oct. 17-18 & 24-25) will be 10AM-4PM at the following locations:

City Hall Basement (4 Summer St – old RMV office)
Hunking School (480 South Main St)
Upper Tilton (formerly St. James School, 415 Primrose St)
**ONLY Oct. 17 & 24** – Somebody Cares Ministry (358 Washington St)

If you wish to vote in person on election day (November 3), polling locations will be open from 7AM to 8PM. To find your polling location, visit www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com and enter your address.
For more information on elections and voting, or to track your mail-in ballot, the website of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is a very helpful resource: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/. You can also contact the City Clerk with any questions.

State Representative Linda Dean Campbell represents the cities of Methuen and Haverhill in the State Legislature and serves as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. She can be reached at Linda.Campbell@mahouse.gov or (617) 722-2380. ◊