To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to permit early voting options for Town elections, or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Election Modernization Study Committee)

·       Three (3) business days during the Town Clerk’s regular office hours;

·       At least one (1) early voting day extended to at least 7 p.m.; and

·       At least one (1) weekend day.

The Board notes that efforts on the State level to pass a local option statute to a similar effect appear to have stalled for the time being. As such, the Board strongly supports this measure to enhance voting access and convenience in Town elections as soon as possible which should not preclude the Town from taking advantage of any local option early voting legislation at some point in the future.

VOTED: That the Town does hereby request and authorize the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to provide substantially as follows:"

“AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON TO OFFER EARLY VOTING IN TOWN ELECTIONS”

Section 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Town of Arlington shall allow any qualified voter, as defined in section 1 of chapter 51 of the general laws, to vote early in person for any regular or special town election. Any voter wishing to vote early in person may do so at the time, manner, and location prescribed in this section.

(a)    The early voting period shall be set by the Select Board in consultation with the Arlington Town Clerk. The early voting period shall include a minimum of three business days during the regular hours of the Arlington Town Clerk’s office, and may include additional days, so long as it ends no later than the date determined by the Town Clerk as necessary to prepare a final voting list for the polls on Election Day. At least one early voting weekday shall extend until at least 7 p.m. For any Town Election held on a weekday, at least one weekend day shall be included in the Early Voting Period.

(b)    The Select Board, in consultation with the Town Clerk, shall establish an early voting site for early in-person voting under this section that is centrally-located, suitable, and in a convenient public building. The early voting site shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. The designation of an early voting site shall be made not less than 14 days prior to the beginning of the voting period established in section (a). Notice of the early voting location, dates, and hours shall be posted in the office of the Town Clerk and on the Town’s website not less than 7 days before the early voting period begins.

(c)    The voting, processing, and counting procedures for early voting ballots shall be consistent with section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws and the regulations promulgated by the State Secretary for the administration of early voting appearing at 950 CMR 47.00, to the extent practicable.

Section 2: This act shall take effect upon its passage.

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