CARDS ARRIVING: Effort to ensure voting safety underway

UPDATED, May 19. The cards for every registered voter in Arlington were headed for your mailbox after a delay, and by May 18, they began to arrive.

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In a news release provided just after noon May 15 by campaign aide J. Michael Ruderman, Assistant Town Clerk Janice Weber reports that about 32,000 postcards are now on a truck heading for a postal facility in Boston.

The cards allow voters to get an absentee ballot. Just sign and mail back this postcard. After marking your ballot, you can mail it back, or drop it in one of number of secure drop boxes, including one outside Town Hall.

Ruderman explained May 19 part of the mailing delay.

"I spoke with Larry Perreault of Gannett last night (Janice Weber is too busy to call ME back most days). There was no delay on the town side in getting the postcard mailing out. He in fact had everything printed last week on Thursday, just as he had estimated to town officials, but it was too late that afternoon to roll the truck.

"So on Friday, instead of delivering the 32,000 pieces to his usual acceptance facility in Everett, he brought them to the South Boston Postal Annex. Doing that saved a day on delivery time, he told me, and thus the pieces were being received yesterday, Monday, the 18th."

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told the Select Board May 4 that the postcards would be mailed by the following weekend. Chapdelaine then told board Chair Diane Mahon on May 13 that the printer is sending out to mail either late that day of the next morning.

Polls will still be open using new safety protocols, but it is encouraged that you take advantage of early voting by mail, so we can continue to do our part to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The first step to acquiring an early voting by mail ballot is to fill out, sign it, and return the invitation as soon as possible.
The second step, after you receive your ballot, fill it out and either mail it back to the provided address, or drop it off at one of three drop boxes, which are due to appear Thursday, May 21, in Arlington with a “ballot” sign at:

East Arlington: Mass. Ave. and Lake St. (corner by Winter Street);
Arlington Center: Town Hall, lower plaza (before front steps); and
Arlington Heights: Park and Mass. Ave. (corner by clock).

Absentee ballots are still available. If you choose this route, it is encouraged you make your request this week to ensure ample time to receive and turn in your ballot. Download Absentee ballot request and instructions. Absentee ballots can also be dropped off at the boxes around Town listed above.

Voter registration for the Annual Town election has been extended to May 27. Download a voter registration form.

The Election Modernization Committee will be holding its regular meeting 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine will provide an update on the upcoming local election. Residents who may have questions on the upcoming town election during the public comment period.

Election Workers Sought for June 6 Election: Read full details.

Polls will be open regular hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Saturday, June 6, for voting in person. Please note the changes in voting locations for Precincts 7, 9 and 20 below:

Precincts 1, 3, 5: Thompson School, 187 Everett St.;

Precincts 2, 4, 6: Hardy School, 62 Lake St. (entrance on Brooks Avenue);

Precincts 7, 8, 10: Town Hall, 730 Mass. Ave.;

Precincts 9, 11: Bishop School, 25 Columbia Road (entrance on Stowecroft Road);

Precincts 12, 14: Brackett School, 66 Eastern Ave.;

Precincts 13, 15: Stratton School, 180 Mountain Ave.;

Precincts 16, 18, 20: Dallin School, 185 Florence Ave.;

Precincts 17, 19, 21: Peirce School, 85 Park Avenue Extension (entrance on Newland Road)

You can find instructions for registering and for checking your voter status here >>

For other informartion, visit arlingtonma.gov/elections.