Deadline to Register to Vote in Amherst Annual Election is Wednesday, March 8

Amherst will hold the Annual Town Election on March 28th. Every election has a deadline of 20 days prior to the election by which one must register to vote in order to be eligible to vote in that election.  Any person who is a Massachusetts resident and a United States citizen and will be 18 years old as of the next election is eligible to register to vote.

In order to vote in the Town of Amherst you must be a registered voter in the Town of Amherst and you must vote in the precinct in which you are a registered voter.

Massachusetts residents can apply online by visiting www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to access the online application system.  Any Massachusetts resident who has a valid identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able to use the online system to apply to register to vote, update their address, or change their party enrollment.

Massachusetts residents who do not have identification issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles can still complete an application online which they can print, sign, and mail or hand-deliver to their local election official.

You can check on your voting status by going to

www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx  You can register online or in person at Town Hall. You will need a photo ID or last 4 digits of your SS#.

Voter Resources: Amherst Elementary School Building Project and Question 5

The PGO hosted Town Meeting Moderator Jim Pistrang last week for an informative conversation about Amherst's Representative Town Meeting. Mr. Pistrang also spoke at length about the role that Town Meeting plays in the Amherst Elementary School Building Project. Thanks to all who attended and to Mr. Pistrang for his excellent presentation!

The PGO has received many questions about Question 5. The Town of Amherst provides multiple voter resources on the Town's homepage; see below:

For information about this election and as well as results and related documents about prior elections:

https://www.amherstma.gov/650/Upcoming-and-Past-Election-Information

To see the official ballot (including all six questions):

https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36148

To see details about the Ballot Question (5) Committees:

BOLD: Building Opportunities for Learning and Diversity 

https://www.boldamherstschools.org/

https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35412

SASS: Save Amherst's Small Schools

https://saveamherstssmallschools.wordpress.com/

https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35699

All public documents submitted to the state as well as agendas and minutes from all Building Committee Meetings are available on the ARPS homepage (bottom right of page or see below on this page): www.arps.org

Amherst Elementary School Building Project's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Amherst-Elementary-School-Building-Project-968374979880827/?fref=ts

Amherst Elementary School Building Project's website hosted by NV5:

http://wildwood.projects.nv5.com/?doing_wp_cron=1463682371.9666869640350341796875

Amherst Elementary School Building Project's FAQ's:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By0mz4P0v3bWdnpkZ2FRa3l6M0k/view

Voting in Amherst

Early Voting has begun and in this historic election there are many first time voters in Amherst. Read on for the voting procedure courtesy of the Town of Amherst. The procedure for early voting may be slightly different.

Checking In

When you approach the check-in table, first tell the poll worker the name of the street where you live, then the number of your residence, and finally your name. The voter's list is arranged in street order, which assists in keeping your wait time to a minimum.

If you are disabled and need assistance, you may be accompanied by someone who can provide the needed assistance or request a poll worker to provide you with confidential, nonpartisan help.

If your name does not appear on the active list of voters:

The poll worker at the check in table will direct a voter whose name does not appear on the active voter list to the warden for further assistance. The voter may be in "Inactive Status" which will require the completing and signing of an Affidavit of Current and Continued Residency before being able to vote. The voter will also be required to show documentation that establishes their current and continued residency in the town of Amherst. The precinct warden may need to contact the Town Clerk to determine if you are registered in another precinct. If you are listed on another precinct’s list in the Town, you must go to that polling location.

If you are not on any voter list in the Town, but believe you have registered:

You may request a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot allows you to cast your votes, but they will not be counted until the municipal election official determines your eligibility. The municipal election official will review available records, at least those for the last 3 years, to determine eligibility. If eligibility is confirmed, the ballot will be removed from its sealed envelope and grouped with similar ballots and counted in a manner that provides the greatest secrecy. If eligibility cannot be confirmed, your ballot will remain sealed in the envelope until such time as it is required to be kept and then will be destroyed without being viewed.

After Receiving Your Ballot

Once you give your address and name at the check-in table, you will receive a ballot and you can proceed to a voting booth for privacy.

In a primary election, voters who are registered in a political party may only obtain a ballot for that party. If you are an unenrolled voter (commonly referred to as an "independent voter"), you may request the ballot of any party participating in the primary election.

You may vote for the choices available on the ballot or, if you prefer, write in the name of a candidate in the space provided on the ballot.

Once you are done voting, you will proceed to the check-out table. Again, you will provide the poll worker your street address and name. You will then insert your ballot into the ballot box.

Register To Vote By October 19

In order to vote in the Town of Amherst you must be a registered voter in the Town of Amherst and you must vote in the precinct in which you are a registered voter.

Massachusetts residents can apply online by visiting www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to access the online application system.  Any Massachusetts resident who has a valid identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able to use the online system to apply to register to vote, update their address, or change their party enrollment.

Massachusetts residents who do not have identification issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles can still complete an application online which they can print, sign, and mail or hand-deliver to their local election official.

The deadline to register to vote or make changes to your voter registration for the Presidential Election is 8:00 p.m. on October 19, 2016.

You can check on your voting status by going to www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx  You can register online or in person at Town Hal. You will need a photo ID or last 4 digits of your SS#.

Remember if you are turning 18 on or before November 8, 2016, you are eligible to vote! You can still register to vote before your birthday.

New! Early Voting

Early Voting will be held from October 24, 2016 to November 4, 2016 at Town Hall.  Hours for Early Voting will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (including Thursdays when the Town Clerk’s office is normally closed to the public).

Early Voting will also be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the following locations:

North Fire Station, 603 East Pleasant St

Munson Memorial Library, 1046 S East St

Voters registered in Amherst can vote at any of these locations .

Are you interested in voting early? Please check your voting status prior to voting, whether at your precinct polling place on Election Day, or at an Early Voting location. If your voting registration is in Inactive Status, or you are required to show ID at the polls, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 413-259-3035 for assistance.