Early voting set to begin

Ballot casting starts this weekend

With just under three weeks till Election Day, residents will begin casting their ballots at early voting locations around the region this weekend.

Early voting will begin in every city and town on Saturday, Oct. 17 and will run through Oct. 30, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Municipalities will have voting sessions available during the two weekends of that time period, as well as sessions during the regular business hours throughout the week.

The election is set to take place on Nov. 3.

Voters have the option to vote by mail as well. Anyone doing so can choose to drop off their ballot at an early-voting site.

Fitchburg City Clerk Mary de Alderete said recently that residents should be aware that the final day to register to vote for the Nov. 3 State Election is Oct. 24.

She also recommends submitting mail-in ballot applications no later than Oct. 20, to be sure you receive a ballot in time to return it by mail and have it counted.

All voters are asked to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing when casting their ballots. Bring a pen with black ink, or use those available on the day of voting.

Here’s how early voting is being rolled out in surrounding towns:

Fitchburg

Early voting in Fitchburg will take place at Registry of Deeds at 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 202.

Voters are encouraged to take the elevator up and the stairs down to facilitate one-way entry and egress as much as possible.

The polling location will be open for early voting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during regular business hours during the week.

Alderete said the city needs poll workers for the Nov. 3 presidential election. Voting locations are the same as for the March primary.

Leominster

Voters interested in early voting in Leominster can head to City Hall at 25 West. St. Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The secure drop-box is also at City Hall.

Polls will also be open from 7 a.m. to noon p.m. on the weekends, according to the City Clerk’s office.

Ashburnham

Residents in Ashburnham can vote early at Town Hall, located at 32 Main St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

On weekends, voters can participate in early voting from 10 a.m. to noon.

Town Clerk Michelle Johnson said masks are required for all voters and residents voting early should enter through the front door of the building.

A drop-box for ballots will also be available at Town Hall.

Ashby

Ashby voters can head to Town Hall at 895 Main St. to cast their ballots. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday evenings from 5- 8 p.m.

Early voting will also take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The drop-box to submit ballots is also located at Town Hall.

Lancaster

To vote early in Lancaster, residents should go to Town Hall at 701 Main St. from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week, or 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday or Sunday. The drop-box for ballots is also at Town Hall.

Lunenburg

Lunenburg officials are offering early voting during the week at Parish Hall, located at 39 Main St., and at Town Hall on the weekend. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. There is no early voting on Friday. Early voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the weekend. Town Hall, at 17 Main St., will have a secure drop box for residents to submit ballots.

Westminster

Westminster voters can cast their ballots early at Town Hall, 11 South St., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Drop-box is at the same location.

Residents voting on the weekend can expect polls to be open from 8 a.m. to noon.

Voters can find early voting locations and ballot drop boxes in their communities by going to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website.