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FAQs

Election FAQs: State/Presidential Election

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GENERAL QUESTIONS

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SECURE BALLOT DROPBOX UPDATE 10/28/20: See "BALLOT DROPBOX UPDATE 10/28/20" below for details on new hours for the Town Hall dropbox.  Goodnow Library dropbox still open 24/7 except for Halloween; see below for details.

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When is the election?

The election is Tuesday, November 3. In-person voting will be available between 7A.M. and 8 P.M. at your usual polling place. 

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Voting Locations

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Who/what are we voting for?

Your ballot will contain all the candidates for election for President, U.S. Senator and Representative in Congress, state legislators and other state and county offices; two statewide ballot questions; and two Local Sudbury debt exclusion ballot questions.  Please check both sides of the ballot to make sure you don't miss the ballot questions.

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Learn more about the two state-wide ballot questions here:

STATE-WIDE BALLOT QUESTIONS (Questions 1 & 2) (Or see the red Information for Voters booklet mailed to every household.)
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Learn more about the local (Sudbury) ballot questions here:

SUDBURY BALLOT QUESTIONS  (Questions 3 & 4)
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Watch the State Representative Candidates' Forum here:
Candidates in the 13th Middlesex legislative district, Representative Carmine Gentile (D) and Ingrid Centurion (R), both of Sudbury, participated in the forum, which was sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters of Sudbury and Wayland.
https://sudbury.vod.castus.tv/vod/index.php/7/0/9/8/3/6/70983622-08c1-4c0e-9148-e590003939de+16013412861601338325904520.vod.720p.LWVCandidateForum_2020-09-26.mov.mp4
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How can I vote in this election?

For this election, you can vote:

  1. By mail (ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received in the clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Nov. 6, or placed in a secure ballot dropbox - see below for details)

  2. In-person, early (Saturday, October 17 through Friday, October 30, 2020 at Town Hall for all precincts- see hours below) 

  3. In-person, on election day (Tuesday, Nov. 3, at your usual polling place)

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NOTE: 

Voters who are under quarantine because of or awaiting a Covid-19 diagnosis can still vote.

 

If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility or you are instructed to quarantine in your home within one week of the election, you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone of your choice to deliver a ballot to you. The person you designate to deliver your ballot will need to bring the signed application to your local election office, pick up your absentee ballot, bring it to you, and return it for you by the close of polls on Election Day. Emergency ballots may be requested up until the close of polls.

If the voter can't print an absentee ballot application, a representative can bring a letter from the voter to the local election official requesting an absentee ballot. Make sure it includes the name, address, and signature of the voter.

Download an absentee ballot application here: 
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf

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How can I register to vote?

Register to vote on-line here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ if you have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state-issued ID card.  Otherwise, fill out an application at the town clerk’s office or download a voter registration form here  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf 

 

Contact the Town Clerk’s Office at clerk@sudbury.ma.us or 978-639-3351 with any questions.

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What is the deadline to register to vote in this election?

The last day to register to vote for this election is Saturday, October 24, 2020. 

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VOTING BY MAIL/MAIL-IN BALLOT

 

How do I get a mail-in ballot? 

The deadline to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot for this election is by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28. (But apply sooner or you may not receive your ballot in time.) Ballots are expected to be mailed out beginning the second week of October. Applications should be filed with the Town Clerk’s office as soon as possible, as it may take 5 to 8 days to receive your Vote by Mail packet and ballot.

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Mail or hand-deliver the completed application to:

Sudbury Town Clerk

322 Concord Road

Sudbury, MA  01776

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Ballot applications may also be deposited into the secure ballot drop boxes in the vestibule at the rear of Town Hall, 322 Concord Road, and the drive-through dropbox at Goodnow Library.  Ballot applications may also be submitted electronically by fax or e-mail, as long as your signature is visible. Email a signed, scanned copy to votebymail@sudbury.ma.us or fax to (978)-639-3340.

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What is the deadline to request a mail-in ballot?

The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot for this election is by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Voting by mail is available for all registered voters. We urge you to apply earlier to assure that you have time to receive and return your ballot.

 

When must ballots be returned?

Ballots must be returned by hand to the Town Clerk’s office (or via one of the dropboxes in town) by 8 pm on November 3, 2020 or be postmarked by November 3, 2020 and received by November 6, 2020 to be counted.  Allow enough time if you mail your ballot; otherwise drop your ballot in one of the dropboxes (see below). Note the library dropbox will not be available on Election Day.  

 

How do I complete and return my ballot?

When you receive your Vote by Mail packet: 

 

  • Fill out the ballot. Use a pen with blue or black ink.

  • Place ballot in yellow envelope, SIGN YOUR NAME and seal the envelope. The envelope must be signed for your ballot to count.

  • Place sealed, yellow envelope into white envelope, and seal

  • Return your ballot one of these ways:

  1. By Mail, no stamp needed, to Sudbury Town Clerk, 322 Concord Road, Sudbury MA, 01776 OR 

  2. By secure dropbox - see update below

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BALLOT DROPBOX UPDATE 10/28/20: The Elections Division has issued a Directive in response to increased concern over attempts to interfere with ballots and ballot drop boxes, malicious or otherwise, as evidenced by a recent attack on a drop box in the City of Boston. An additional Halloween Directive has also been issued. As a result, Sudbury will take the security measures below. Please note, a monitored surveillance camera is present at the Goodnow Library ballot drop box.

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BALLOT DROP BOX STATUS

  • Goodnow Library (21 Concord Rd)

    • OPEN 24/7, except:

    • Closed on Saturday, October 31 at 3PM – Sunday, November 1 at 10AM

    • Closes on Monday, November 2 at 5PM (On Election Day, 11/3, all ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8pm.)

  • Town Hall (322 Concord Rd)

    • OPEN during the following  HOURS OF OPERATION:

Tues. 10/27    8:30am to 7pm

Wed. 10/28    8:30am to 5pm

Thurs. 10/29   8:30am to 5pm

Fri. 10/30        8:30am to 4pm

Sat. 10/31      10am to 3 pm

Sun. 11/1       10am to 3 pm

Mon. 11/2      8:30am to 5pm

Tues. 11/3      7:00am to 8pm

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Note: Mailed ballots must be postmarked  by November 3, 2020 and received by 5 p.m. November 6, 2020 to be counted. . Mail-in ballots can not be brought to the polling place.

 

Can I check to make sure my mail-in ballot was received?

Yes, using the MA “Track My Ballot” website:  www.TrackMyBallotMA.com

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When is the Town Hall vestibule open for access to the ballot dropbox? 

The vestibule dropbox has been closed.  Use the dropbox outside Town Hall or at Goodnow Library.

 

I am currently staying out of town.  Can I request that a mail ballot be sent to an address different from the address on my voter registration? 

Yes. Use the address where you wish to receive your ballot when filling out your application.

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VOTING IN PERSON

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Is early in-person voting possible?

Yes. Early Voting in person is available to all registered voters who prefer to cast their ballot prior to election day.  Facial coverings will be required and social distancing observed.

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When and where can I vote early?

All early voting for this election will take place at Lower Town Hall meeting room, regardless of where you normally vote on Election Day in Sudbury. 

 

DATES:

Saturday, October 17, through Friday, October 30, 2020

 

HOURS:

Sat. 10/17 & Sun. 10/18) 10 AM – 2 PM

M, W, Th) 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tu) 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
F) 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Sat. 10/24 & Sun. 10/25) 10 AM – 2 PM

 

LOCATION:

Lower Town Hall meeting room, 322 Concord Road. (NOTE: there is no early in-person voting at Fairbank Community Center - all in-person early voting happens at Town Hall.)

 

Where do I vote on Election Day?

On Election Day, you can vote at your usual polling place, 7 A.M. - 8 P.M. on November 3. (Early in-person voting happens only at Town Hall for all registered voters).  

  • Fairbank Community Center – Precincts 1, 1A, 2 and 5

  • Town Hall – Precincts 3 and 4

 

How do I find my polling place?

This link will tell you whether you are registered, what your precinct is and where to vote:  www.WhereDoIVoteMA.com

 

 

QUESTIONS RELATED TO COVID-19

 

Voters who are under quarantine because of or awaiting a Covid-19 diagnosis can still vote.

If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility or you are instructed to quarantine in your home within one week of the election, you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone of your choice to deliver a ballot to you. The person you designate to deliver your ballot will need to bring the signed application to your local election office, pick up your absentee ballot, bring it to you, and return it for you by the close of polls on Election Day. Emergency ballots may be requested up until the close of polls.

If the voter can't print an absentee ballot application, a representative can bring a letter from the voter to the local election official requesting an absentee ballot. Make sure it includes the name, address, and signature of the voter.

Download an absentee ballot application here: 
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf

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Is it safe to vote in person?

The Sudbury Select Board, the Sudbury Board of Health, and the Sudbury Town Clerk’s office are encouraging as many voters as possible to vote by mail. If you need or choose to vote in person, the Town Clerk’s office, with the approval of the Sudbury Board of Health, has created a plan to make voting in person as safe as possible. You will find new precautions being taken at your polling place.

 

Do I need to wear a mask when I vote?

Yes. Facial coverings will be required and social distancing observed.

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Can I use my own pen to mark the ballot?  

Yes, you may use your own pen as long as the ink is blue or black.

 

Will voting booths, pens, door handles and other common items be disinfected between voters?  

Yes. Voting booths, pens, and counters are disinfected throughout the day.  There will be hand sanitizer available as voters exit the room.  Voters should not use gel sanitizer while they are holding the ballots, as it could compromise them.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Sudbury Town Clerk’s website:

https://sudbury.ma.us/clerk/2020/09/17/presidentialelection2020/

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Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Voting by Mail FAQs: 

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleev/early-voting-faq.htm

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League of Women Voters of MA: New Voter Registration Information and Voting Changes: https://lwvma.org/voting-and-election-information/election-2020/

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