2021 Bedford Town Election Information

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

January 12, 2021

Voting

There will be two options for voting in the March 13, 2021 Town Election:

(1) Mail-in voting

*This option is available to all registered voters. An application is required.*

The Vote by Mail Application must be received by the Town Clerk by Tuesday, March 9 at 5:00 pm. This application can be found online at: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif2781/f/uploads/vote_by_mail_application_for_town_election_2021_2.pdf and will be mailed to voters along with the census. Completed, signed applications can be mailed to the Town Clerk’s Office (10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730), scanned and emailed to clerk@bedfordma.gov, or returned to the secure drop box at the front entrance to Town Hall.

Once an application has been received, a mail-in ballot will be mailed to the voter. Mail-in ballots must be returned before 8:00 pm on Election Day, March 13 by mail or in the secure drop box at the front entrance to Town Hall.

*Massachusetts General Laws do not provide for early voting in-person at Municipal Elections.*

(2) Election Day in-person voting

Election Day is Saturday, March 13. Polls will be open at the John Glenn Middle School gym (99 McMahon Road) from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm.

It is helpful to know your precinct ahead of time—please find that information here: https://www.bedfordma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif2781/f/pages/bedford_street_base_map_with_voting_precincts.pdf

Capacity will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be in place to ensure a safe voting environment. All surfaces will be frequently sanitized and voters may bring their own black felt tip pen if they wish to do so. Visitors should wear masks. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or are not able to wear a mask or facial covering, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the vote by mail option.

If you change your mind after requesting a mail-in ballot, you may vote in person so long as the Town Clerk’s Office has not received your mail-in ballot. If you choose to vote in person after having received a mail-in ballot, please plan to wait a few minutes at the polls for the Town Clerk staff to verify that a ballot was not returned.

To vote in the Town Election, citizens must be registered to vote by Saturday, February 20, 2021. You can register to vote online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/, send the Town Clerk’s office the following form (https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-clerk/pages/voter-registration), or register in person at the Town Clerk’s office (open by appointment). The Town Clerk’s office will be open by appointment from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on February 20th for voter registration.

If you are unsure about your registration status, you can call the Town Clerk’s office or check here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/myvoterregstatus.aspx.

A sample ballot will be posted on the Town Clerk’s website once it is set.

Any questions? Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-275-0083 or email clerk@bedfordma.gov.

Running for Office

Each candidate must file with the Town Clerk a written, signed, and dated statement of his/her intention to be a candidate in order to obtain nomination papers. The notice of intent may be filed between Tuesday, January 5 and Wednesday, February 3, and may be done in-person by the candidate or by someone who has been authorized (in writing) to act for the candidate. Please call the Town Clerk’s Office (781-275-0083) for additional information and to make an appointment.

Once a notice of intent is filed, a candidate will be provided with nomination papers and a packet with election and campaign finance information. The Town Clerk’s office will provide additional nomination papers as needed, given that social distancing measures may mean signature collecting procedures will be different than in past years.

All candidates are required to submit at least 10 valid signatures. However, it is recommended that more than the required amount be collected in case some are rejected by the Board of Registrars.

Nominating papers must be submitted to the Registrar of Voters for certification by Friday, February 5 at 5:00 p.m. The Board of Registrars will submit the certified papers to the Town Clerk on Monday, February 8. The last day to object to or withdraw a candidacy is Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

A full election calendar chart can be found here: https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-clerk/elections

The following positions will be on the ballot:

• Select Board (one three-year term)
• School Committee (one three-year term)
• Board of Assessors (one three-year term)
• Board of Health (two three-year terms)
• Housing Authority (one five-year term)
• Library Trustees (two three-year terms)
• Planning Board (one three-year term)
• Regional School Committee (one three-year term)

Any questions? Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-275-0083 or email clerk@bedfordma.gov.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.