Absentee Ballots are now available for the Rochester Annual Town Election to be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Please read the information below carefully to determine your eligibility for absenee voting and to better understand the process related to voting by mail.
Voting by Mail
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. You can find more information on who qualifies for an absentee ballot below.
To apply to vote absentee by mail, complete the Absentee Ballot Application and submit it to the Town Clerk’s Office, 1 Constitution Way, Rochester, MA 02770.
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 a Ballot
Absentee ballots must be requested in writing at least 4 business days before Election Day. Applications are available for download above, but 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 pdawson@townofrochester.com. 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’s Office requesting your ballot. Make sure to include your name, your address, the place you would like the ballot mailed, and your signature.
If you need an application mailed to you, you may contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-763-3871, Extension 117. Remember to request the application with plenty of time to mail it back before the deadline to apply for your ballot.
Returning your Ballot
Ballots may be returned by mail or in person at the Rochester Town Hall. You may also return your ballot by placing it in the secure ballot drop box located in front of the Town Hall.
Ballots must reach the Town Clerk's Office by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be be counted.
