From the Town Clerk

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July. Did you know that fireworks have always been a part of the Independence Day celebration in the United States since the first celebration, in 1777?  Fireworks were used in China in the 12^th century, but it wasn’t until the 15^th century that they became popular with European Monarchs as a way to celebrate national pride as well as the Monarchs’ own birthday.  I hope everyone had the chance to see some spectacular firework displays, in and around Seekonk. July has other fun days to celebrate, like July 7^th World Chocolate Day and July 17^th National Ice Cream Day.

ELECTION NEWS
On July 22 Governor Baker signed chapter 92 of the Acts of 2022, which is known as, the VOTES Act.  This new law changed some existing laws and made permanent many of the procedures used in the 2020 election. 

Here is an overview of the new law:

• Changes the voter registration deadline to 5pm on the 10^th day before any election
• Makes early voting by mail permanent for all presidential primaries, state primaries and state elections
• Makes early voting by mail consistent with absentee voting (family members can apply and return ballots)
• Changes deadline to apply for vote by mail ballot from 4 days to 5 business days
• Allows mail-in ballots postmarked on or before the biennial state election and received within 3 days to be counted
• Requires early voting in person for presidential primaries, state primaries and state elections
• Allows for advance removal and advance deposit of early and absentee ballots

ELECTION DATES

State Primary Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Voter registration deadline is August 27, 2022 5pm.

General Election Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Voter registration deadline is October 29, 2022 5pm.

EARLY VOTING HOURS FOR THE STATE PRIMARY

* Hours might be subject to change

All Early voting will take place at Town Hall, 100 Peck St.

VOTE BY MAIL NEWS
As in 2020, the State Elections Division will be mailing Vote by Mail applications at least 45 days before a regular primary, state election, and presidential primary. So, expect the first post card “Vote by Mail Application” to arrive the last week of July. There will be a second post card mailing, again, sent by the State Elections division, to everyone registered to vote, by the 60^th day before the election who has not, already applied for a ballot. The application will be pre-addressed to go to Seekonk Town Hall and will be postage pre-paid. Family members are now permitted to return an early Vote by Mail ballot for a voter as well.

You can also get a Vote by Mail application on the Town of Seekonk’s website under the Town Clerk’s page/downloadable forms, as well as on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Or you can come into the Town Clerk’s office and fill one out.

It is IMPORTANT to note when filling out an application for the State Primary if you are listed as NO PARTY or UNENROLLED and want to vote in the Primary you MUST choose/check the box for the party ballot you want sent to you. If you are unenrolled and don’t check a party box YOU WILL NOT BE SENT A BALLOT. We can’t choose for you.

The deadline to receive a request for any ballot (early or absentee) to be mailed is 5 business days before the election. A business day is any weekday that is not a legal holiday. For the September 6^th Primary, because Labor Day is not a business day, the deadline for the Town Clerk’s office to receive a Vote by Mail application is 5pm Monday August 29^th. Leaving it to that late date is cutting it close for us to mail it out to you to get it in time or the election. Remember that we will be having in-person early voting available until Friday before the election.  

2022 State Primary Candidates
Pease note that the candidates are subject to changes due to withdraw or objections before the State Ballot Law Commission.

Governor
R  Geoff Diehl
R  Chris Doughty
D  Sonia Rosa Chang-Diaz
D  Maura Healy

Lieutenant Governor
R  Leah V. Allen
R  Kate Campanale
D  Kimberley Driscoll
D  Tami Gouveia
D  Eric P. Lesser

Attorney General
R  James R. McMahon III
D  Andrea Joy Campbell
D  Shannon Erika Liss-Riordan
D  Quentin Palfrey

Secretary of State
R  Rayla Campbell
D  William Francis Galvin
D Tanish M. Sullivan

Treasurer
R  No Nominations
D  Deborah B. Goldberg

Auditor
R  Anthony Amore
D  Christopher S. Dempsey
D  Diana Dizoglio

Representative in Congress 4^th District
R  No Nominations
D  Jake Auchincloss

Councillor 2^nd District
R  No Nominations
D  Robert L. Jubinville

Senator in General Court
R  Maria S. Collins
D  Marc R. Pacheco

Representative in General Court
R  Steven S. Howitt
D  No Nominations

District Attorney
R  No Nominations
D  Thomas M. Quinn III
D  Shannon M. McMahon

Sheriff – Bristol County
R  Thomas M. Hodgson
D  Nicholas Bernier
D  Paul R. Heroux
D  George M. McNeil

County Commissioner
R  No Nominations
D  John  Thomas Saunders

Census information
As of June 24, 2022, the count of residents registered to vote is 11,367 voter, and 2,510 non-voters. (Please note this figure is continually changing due to people being added and deleted off the voter rolls and people moving in or out of town).

If you need information about your voter status, or about the elections in general, do not hesitate to call us or email us. 508-336-2920 or fcraig@seekonk-ma.gov