Dedham Town Clerk Answers Election Questions

DEDHAM, MA — Dedham's town election is scheduled for April 10 and to help residents properly prepare, the town released a series of questions and answers from Town Clerk Paul Munchbach.

“We strive to keep our voters informed about the ways to vote during this time. We encourage everyone to review our FAQ sheet below to address any questions our residents may have, from checking voter registration to absentee voting and beyond,” Munchbach said.

The Q&A is below:

Will there be early, in-person voting for the Annual Town Election on April 10, 2021?

Unfortunately, there will be no early, in-person voting for the Spring 2021 Annual Town Election.

How do I request an absentee ballot or mail-in ballot for the Town Election?

You can request an application by mail or download an application on the Town Clerk’s Elections and Voting website. If you cannot download an application, you can send a hand-written or typed note with your signature to the Town Clerk at 450 Washington St, Dedham, MA 02026 (Attn: Paul M. Munchbach), or it can be scanned and emailed to pmunchbach@dedham-ma.gov.

I requested an absentee ballot before the April 10 election. When will the ballot arrive?

Ballots for absentee or mail-in applications will be mailed out once we process the application. If there are any changes to your application, please notify the Town Clerk’s office immediately.

Is there a recommended time to allow ballots to be mailed back and forth?

The official deadline to request a ballot by mail is Tuesday, April 6 by 5:00 p.m. Ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 10 – Election Day. However, it can take up to two weeks to request a ballot by mail and receive it under normal circumstances even if all transactions occur within Dedham. Therefore, it is important to request your ballot as soon as possible if you plan to vote by mail.

When are absentee and mail-in ballots counted?

Except for ballots that are rejected as defective, all absentee ballots are cast and counted by the poll workers on Election Day. Absentee ballots and mail-in ballots are included in the final tallies and are counted whether or not an election contains a close race.

What is the last day to register to vote for the Town Election on April 10?

Monday, March 22, 2021 by 8:00 p.m. This is for anyone new to town, or you have never registered to vote before.

Does Massachusetts have online voter registration?

Yes, one can register online at www.registertovotema.com, as long as you have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which could be a MA driver’s license or a State ID card.

Can 16- and 17-year-olds register to vote?

Yes, but it is only a pre-registration. By law, you cannot vote until the age of 18. If a person turns 18 after the last day of voter registration (March 22, 2021) but before the election (April 10, 2021), is it highly recommended to pre-register. This will allow that person to vote on Election Day. This can be done:

• Online at www.registertovotema.com
• Download a voter registration form from the Town Clerk’s website
  • Mail to Town Clerk (Attn: Paul M. Munchbach, 450 Washington St, Dedham, MA 02026)
  • Scan and email to Town Clerk pmunchbach@dedham-ma.gov

I have additional questions that are not listed above. Who can I ask?

Additional questions regarding the upcoming Annual Election scheduled for Saturday, April 10 can be sent to Town Clerk Paul M. Munchbach at pmunchbach@dedham-ma.gov or call 781-751-9200.