March 1 is the voting date for the Presidential Primary. Polling places will open at 7am – 8pm. Voters actually in line at 8pm will be allowed to vote.
Precinct H: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street, (band room, east end of building)
Election Day – Parking and traffic – Most polling places are at schools. Parking may be limited during the school day. Students will arrive 8-8:30 am, and dismissal is between 2:30 – 3pm. Voters are requested to avoid these times if possible.
Ballots – This is a primary. Voters enrolled in a party must vote the ballot for that party. Voters who are unenrolled (independent) will choose a ballot at the check-in table. Your party status will not change. Please note this election also elects the local political town committee slates. You may vote for the whole slate by choosing “GROUP” at the beginning of the list and filling in that oval. If you wish to vote for individuals, fill in the ovals next to each name.
Names of presidential candidates who have suspended their campaigns do appear on the ballot.
Voting procedure – Most polling places will have two lines for check-in of voters. Voter lists are arranged alphabetically by street name. Voters should check signs at the entrance to the polling place to find the correct line based on your street address. Voters will check in at the table by stating your street name house number then your name. The Inspector will repeat your address and name aloud. If you are listed as “inactive” you will need to show current proof of continued residency in Wellesley. If you registered by mail and have not yet voted in Massachusetts you will need identification. All other voters will be issued ballots without further identification.
After check-in, voter will proceed to ballot marking booths. Voter should use the ballot marking pen to fill in the oval next to the candidate of your choice. After marking the ballot, voter should proceed to checkout table before depositing ballot in tabulation machine. If voter makes an error in marking the ballot, voter may have up to three replacements.
NEW VOTING TABULATORS – Wellesley will use new voting equipment for this election. Ballots will have an OVAL to fill to mark your choices. The tabulators are optical-scan and read the whole ballot on both sides. The voter may insert the ballot in any orientation. This equipment will take about 5 seconds to process each ballot. Voter should remain at the ballot machine until a “BALLOT CAST ” message is shown on the screen. Error messages will direct the voter if the machine detects a marking error. Voter may choose to cast the original ballot or obtain a new one to correct errors. Voters in line should not attempt to insert a ballot until the message screen shows “READY”.
Annual Town Election – March 15 – The Annual Town Election to elect board members, town meeting members and a ballot question on the Selectmen- Town Manager form of Government will take place on March 15. Absentee ballot for the local election will be available by February 26, 2016. Polls will be open 7am – 8pm for that election.
For additional information, contact Kathleen F. Nagle, Town Clerk, 781-431-1019 ext. 2250 or knagle@wellesleyma.gov
