GILL — Friday, Aug. 19, is the deadline to register for voters who want to participate in the Massachusetts State Primary on Thursday, Sept. 8. Anyone currently registered to vote does not have to re-register.
Only individuals who have moved into town or have changed their address, mailing address or name, need to contact Town Clerk Lynda Hodsdon Mayo’s office before that date.
Aug. 19 is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change their party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled.”
Unenrolled is commonly referred to as “independent,” but this should not be confused with the United Independent Party (UIP); a party that will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them. Voters registered in UIP will NOT be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican or Green-Rainbow ballot.
Unenrolled voters or voters enrolled in political designations can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, but someone registered in a party can only vote on that party’s ballot. A Democrat cannot take a Republican ballot, and a Republican cannot take a Democratic one.
The town clerk’s office will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19, for voters who wish to change their party registration status or for persons wishing to register for the first time.
Also, absentee ballots for Sept. 8 State Primary Election are now available. Those with questions about the election or their registration should call Mayo at 413-863-8103.