Important Absentee Ballot Information for April 27, 2022 Chilmark Annual Town Election

Because the state legislature did not pass an extension to the temporary state laws that allowed no-excuse voting by mail in 2020 and 2021, absentee ballots are currently the only option to vote by mail for the upcoming Annual Town Election. To apply to vote absentee by mail, complete the Absentee Ballot Application and submit it to the Town Clerk's office at Chilmark Town Hall:.

• Mailing address: Chilmark Town Clerk, P.O. Box 119, Chilmark, MA 02535
• Email address: townclerk@chilmarkma.gov
• Fax: 1-508-645-2110

Make sure to apply as early as possible. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for ballot delivery in each direction, so it is best to apply at least 2 weeks before Election Day, or earlier if your ballot is being mailed out of town.

Absentee Ballot Eligibility

To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must:

• Be away from your city/town on Election Day; or
• Have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place; or
• Have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day

Applying for an Absentee Ballot

Go HERE to access a MA Official Absentee Ballot Application.

Absentee ballots that will be mailed must be requested in writing at least 4 business days before Town Election Day: Thursday, April 21, 2022, 5PM. Any written request is acceptable if it has your signature on it. For absentee ballots, a member of your family may also make the request on your behalf.

Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you are emailing your application, you may either scan or take a photo of your signed application and email it to townclerk@chilmarkma.gov. Typed signatures are not acceptable.

If you are not able to print the application, you may request that one be mailed to you or you may write a letter to the Town Clerk requesting your ballot. Make sure to include your name, your address, the place you would like the ballot mailed, and your signature.

Absentee Voting in Person

Absentee voting can also be done in person at Chilmark Town Hall, located at 401 Middle Road in Chilmark. If possible, please contact the Town Clerk (townclerk@chilmarkma.gov, 1-508-645-2107) before you go, to make sure absentee ballots are ready and to arrange for a convenient time to come in and vote. The last day and hour to apply for an absentee ballot to be voted in-person at the Chilmark Town Hall is Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 12:00PM (NOON).

Emergency Absentee Ballots

If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility within 1 week of the April 27th election day (after 12PM on Wednesday, April 20, 2022), you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone of your choice to deliver a ballot to you.

The person you designate to deliver your ballot will need to bring the signed application to your local election office, pick up your absentee ballot, bring it to you, and return it for you by the close of polls on Election Day, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Emergency ballots may be requested up until the close of polls. The Chilmark Town Clerk is at the polling location, Chilmark Community Center, 520 South Road, Chilmark, on town election day. The Assistant Town Clerks are at the Chilmark Town Hall until 5PM on town election day and are available to assist with information.

Returning your Absentee Ballot

Ballots may be returned by mail or in person to the Chilmark Town Hall, 401 Middle Road, Chilmark. Ballots may be submitted to either of the two secure drop boxes that are directly outside of the Town Hall door up until 8PM on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Absentee Ballots may also be delivered directly to the Town Clerk at the Chilmark Community Center polling location at 520 South Road on the day of the town election, until 8PM.

Ballots must reach the local election office or the Town Clerk by the close of polls (8PM) on Town Election Day in order to be counted.