RECAP INFORMATION ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTING FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION.
I would like to inform everyone that the Secretary of the State’s Office has begun sending an Application for an Absentee Ballot to all registered voters. They began with the larger cities and towns first, so Barkhamsted may be a bit later for delivery. Please wait for that application to arrive. Please do not download and mail in the application that can be found on their website, as the applications that will be sent out are specifically bar-coded for each individual voter and will help us process them faster and more accurately. Also please do not fill out more than one application. If you haven’t received your application by the last week in September, please email me and I can get one to you.
The applications can be either sent to me through the U.S. mail, hand-delivered, or dropped off in the black, locked mailbox just to the left of the lower level door at Town Hall by you or anyone you designate to deliver it. The ballots become available on October 2nd, and will be sent out in the U.S. mail on that day to anyone who has filled out their application completely and returned it to this office. For any applications received after October 2nd, the ballot will be mailed out within 48 hours of receipt. You are also able to request your ballot in person during office hours with your completed application form after October 2, however you will need to come back the following day to pick up your ballot. We will not be able to process your ballot as you wait. You are not allowed to collect anyone else’s ballot, nor will anyone else be allowed to pick up your ballot. If you will be submitting an application for your ballot within 6 days of the election, I urge you to do so in person, as there may not be enough time for your ballot to be received by you through the mail.
Once you receive your ballot packet, please follow the included instructions for absentee ballot voting carefully. For your ballot to be counted, you must have filled out your ballot, inserted it into the inner envelope (B) which you sign, date and seal, which is then inserted into another envelope for mailing. All steps need to be followed per State Statutes in absentee balloting in order for the ballot to not be rejected. There is already postage on the mailing envelope should you choose to drop it into a US Postal mailbox for delivery. There is also another option of a new ballot drop box where you are able to put your completed ballot into. That ballot box is located outside the lower level door at Town Hall. I encourage you to deposit your completed ballot into this drop box instead of sending through the U.S. mail. All absentee ballots must be received by my office no later than 8pm on Tuesday, November 3, in order to be counted in the election.
My office will be responsible for issuing all of the absentee ballots in Barkhamsted for the November 3rd Election. This election will be unprecedented in regards to the volume of Absentee Ballots that we will do. It is an enormous undertaking that the Secretary of the State’s Office has given us and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. The Town of Barkhamsted has approximately 2,900 registered voters and we will do all we can to be sure everyone who wants to vote by Absentee Ballot will be able to do so.
Lastly, please keep in mind that absentee ballot voting is an OPTION for you. The polls will still be open, sanitized and safe, from 6AM to 8PM on Election Day, November 3, 2020 at the Barkhamsted Elementary School. You can just disregard the application you will receive if you plan to vote in person.