More Than 3,200 Andover Residents Want To Vote By Mail In Sept. 6 Massachusetts Primary

Andover had received 3,265 applications from residents to vote by mail for the Sept. 6 Massachusetts primary as of the Aug. 9 Board of Registrars meeting.

“It’s been a bit of a Herculean effort” to get all the ballots out, Assistant Town Manager and Acting Town Clerk Patrick Lawlor said. About 3,200 ballots have already been sent out, as well as letters requesting updates on applications for mail ballots that had been submitted incomplete.

Earlier this year, Massachusetts made mail-in voting permanent for all elections. Lawlor said the town could consider opting out of mail-in voting for future elections, and expects the issue will be addressed at a future registrars meeting.

The Massachusetts Secretary of State sent applications earlier this month to all registered voters to apply for mail-in voting, and Lawlor is asking residents to return them as soon as possible. The Aug. 29 deadline gives the Town Clerk’s office a short turnaround time to get the mail-in ballots out before the Sept. 6 Massachusetts primary.

Residents can choose to vote by mail in the primary, general election, or both. If you did not receive the mailing from the Secretary of State, you can download an application on the town’s Website. You can track your application and ballot status here.

Once you receive and complete your mail-in ballot, you can:

1. Place Ballots in the Secure Town Offices Drop-Box: The drop-box in the circular driveway of the Town Offices, 36 Bartlet Street can accept ballots 24/7 and until 8:00 PM on election day.   
2. Return In Person at the Town Clerk’s Office: Ballots can be dropped off in the Town Clerk’s Office, 2^nd Floor of the Town Offices, during the business hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
3. Return By Mail: please note that the United States Postal Service delivery services can range from 3-11 days. It is recommended voters mail their ballots with ample time before Election Day, or drop off your ballot to the drop box or Town Clerk’s Office. 

We’ve already published guide for Andover residents voting in the Sept. 6 primary by mail, early or on election day, as well as a list of what is on the Sept. 6 ballot.