Early Voting Continues Today; Haverhill Clerk Wright Explains Extended Election Season

The election season is in full swing at the Haverhill City Clerk’s office even though final election day is two weeks away.

Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, explained why the window for early voting seems longer than usual. In-person early voting started this past weekend.

“In regular elections, like the September primary or maybe a municipal election, you would see one week of early voting, but the Vote Act that was passed by the legislature requires that for the November election you have two weeks of early voting.”

For citizens requesting a mail-in ballot, Wright noted an important step voters must take.

“When you’re requesting a vote by mail ballot and filling it out, it’s really important that you sign that manila ballot envelope. If it’s unsigned, we are going to have to reject your ballot. So, your signature matters. Please sign that inner ballot envelope.

Wright has also noticed some voters in requesting a mail-in ballot express confusion when they see the “State Election” label.

“This is a state election because we’re electing state representatives, members of Congress, things of that nature. But it is also a federal election where we have the president on the race. So, if you are feeling a little confused because it says State Election, please just look at the race in the upper left-hand corner, you’ll see that it’s the presidential race and know that you have the right ballot. Also, keep in mind that the ballot is two-sided with questions as well, so make sure once you fill out the first page that you are flipping over and completing the second page as well.”

And when it comes to returning mail-in ballots, there are options.

“If somebody is to hand deliver it to our office, or use our drop box, is has to be delivered by 8 p.m., Nov. 5. Alternatively, if it’s mailed, it has to have a postmark of Nov. 5 and we can accept those for three days. So, if there is no postmark, we cannot accept it. It has to have a postmark of at least Nov. 5, then we can accept it for three days after the election,” she explained.

Early voting continues today. Dates are Mondays through Wednesdays, Oct. 21, 22 and 23 and 28, 29 and 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours Thursdays, Oct. 24 and 31, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wright also suggests voters become familiar with the ballot before voting. A sample is located on the Haverhill City Clerk’s web page.

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