Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Voting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hubbardston registrars authorize in-person early voting ahead of June 10 town election
Summary
The Town of Hubbardston Board of Registrars voted to recommend in-person early voting from May 31 through June 5 for the June 10, 2005 annual town election, citing several ballot questions involving borrowing and exemptions. The board also voted to allow the town clerk to use a facsimile stamp and perform registrar duties.
The Town of Hubbardston Board of Registrars voted to opt in to in-person early voting for the town’s annual election on June 10, 2005, recommending an early voting period from Saturday, May 31, through Thursday, June 5, the Town Clerk said at the meeting.
The Town Clerk told registrars that Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 54, section 25B, allows a town select board to authorize in-person early voting if a majority of the registrars recommend it, and that such a vote must occur at least five days before the proposed start of early voting. The clerk said the office recommended opening for normal business hours the week before the election plus the Saturday that is also the last day to register to vote.
The registrars cited several money-related ballot questions as a reason to maximize voting opportunity. The clerk noted that the ballot will include debt-exclusion and other finance-related articles and that prior elections with similar questions saw higher turnout. The clerk also said the select board had already authorized early voting by mail for the election, available to voters who request absentee or mail-in ballots.
During the discussion, a registrar asked about signature verification for mailed ballots; the clerk explained that mailed ballot applications are signed and the clerk’s office verifies signatures and that returned absentee/mail ballots are marked as voted to prevent duplicate voting.
Votes at a glance: - The registrars approved the minutes of their Nov. 15 meeting (motion passed; all registrars present voted in favor). - The registrars voted to recommend in-person early voting for the June 10, 2005 town election, with the early voting period recommended from May 31 through June 5. All registrars present voted in favor. - The registrars voted to allow the town clerk’s office to use a facsimile stamp containing registrar signatures for nomination and petition papers and to authorize town clerk employees to perform specified registrar duties. All registrars present voted in favor.
The board completed routine business after the votes and adjourned. The clerk identified the registrars present at the meeting as Joyce Green, Peter Jeffs, Marsha Hopper and Melody Green.
