New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford Election Commission reminds voters that the statewide deadline for absentee ballots in the state primary election is Wednesday, August 26. Ballots must be received by the Election Commission office by Election Day, Tuesday, September 1, either by mail or drop-off at the Election Commission office at City Hall, 133 William Street. 

All Massachusetts voters registered by July 1 have received applications to vote by mail due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to vote by mail with an absentee ballot, voters must return the application to the Election Commission by August 26. Due to the high volume of requests to vote by mail, responding sooner will result in receiving an absentee ballot sooner. 

Applications must be received by the Election Commission office by August 26. Ballots must be received by the Election Commission office by Election Day, September 1. Applications and ballots can be mailed, or can be returned to the Election Commission office in person. City Hall and the Election Commission office are open at reduced hours due to the pandemic: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

All state primary kits mailed to voters will contain four items: a ballot; vote by mail instructions; an early ballot envelope (for the ballot); and an outer mailing envelope to return the completed ballot. If your primary kit does not include any of these items, please contact the Election Commission office at 508-979-1420. 

Voters may also vote in person, as always. As usual, on Election Day, Tuesday, September 1, polls will be open in the City of New Bedford from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional safety requirements including the use of masks/face coverings and the observance of social distancing will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Voters may cast their votes for: Senator in Congress; Representative in Congress; Senator in General Court; Representatives in General Court for the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Thirteenth Bristol Districts; County Treasurer; County Commissioner; Governor’s Councillor; and Register of Probate.

Election Commission to suspend Notary Public and Passport services until September 14

The Election Commission office is suspending Notary Public and Passport services until September 14 as staff attends to the election. The office is still open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m .to 1:00 p.m. and available for election services such as registrations, absentee/mail-in ballots, address changes, and other voting-related services.

Early Voting

The New Bedford Election Commission has also announced that Early Voting for the 2020 state primary election will be held at the New Bedford Main Library, 613 Pleasant Street, from Saturday August, 22 through Friday, August 28.

 

Any voter who wishes to cast their ballot in person prior to Election Day, September 1, may do so at the Main Library during the following hours:

 

–           Saturday, August 22:             9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Sunday, August 23:                9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Monday, August 24:               8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Tuesday, August 25:              8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Wednesday, August 26:         8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Thursday, August 27:             8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

–           Friday, August 28:                  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

Any New Bedford resident who is uncertain about their voting status, designated polling location, or who has changed their address since the last election, or any other question should contact the Election Commission office at 508-979-1420.