By Caroline Gordon

Massachusetts voters now have the opportunity to vote early by mail by submitting an application to the town clerk’s office. 

Cindy Livingstone, Ashland town clerk, said the Vote-By-Mail option and COVID increased the amount of citizens who vote in-person. 

She said, “For example, for the 2020 presidential election, about eighty percent either voted early in-person or by mail. Only about twenty percent voted on election day.” 

Vote-By-Mail applications were sent out in July and September to each voter who did not previously request a mail-in-ballot. 

The applications can be sent by email, mail, fax, or dropped off in a ballot box outside of the town hall. 

If you choose to vote in-person instead of voting by mail, early in-person voting will be held at the town hall. 

In-person early voting for the September State Primary Election will be Aug. 27 to Sept. 2. Hours will be announced prior to the voting period. 

In-person early voting for the November State Election will be Oct. 22 to Nov. 4. Hours will also be announced prior to the voting period. 

Livingstone explained how poll workers will ensure voters are following COVID protocols, noting the help of high school volunteers who wiped down voting booths and pens during the 2020 elections. 

She said, “We could not hold the seamless, successful elections we have without our poll workers. I cannot thank them enough for all they do!”

She added, “We have masks available for anyone that would like to wear one while voting and hand sanitizer at all stations. We also encourage Vote-by-Mail to limit the amount of people at the polling location.” 

Livingstone touched on how her team will inform the community about the different voting opportunities, noting the use of social media to notify residents. 

“We use social media quite a bit to get the word out. Our Communications Director, Ashley Place, and I work very closely together on this. We also advertise in local papers and use the electronic signs in town to notify the voters of upcoming elections,” she said. 

Livingstone touched on the importance of voting. 

“I believe voting is important because citizens should be able to choose the people who represent them. It is their civic responsibility. We are so fortunate to live in a country where the people have a voice,” she said.