amber@northstarreporter.com
In an effort to boost voter turnout and provide more flexibility to North Attleborough residents, the local election office is promoting different voting options.
Election Coordinator Pat Dolan shared insights into the process and its benefits in a recent interview, explaining that early voting is all about time management and convenience. This option allows voters to cast their ballots at their own pace, avoiding potentially heavy Election Day crowds and conflicts with work or personal schedules. Early voting began on Aug. 24 and runs through Aug. 30.
To participate in early voting, residents need to know their precinct number (out of nine total) and their address. The process is straightforward: voters check-in, receive a party-based ballot, and cast their vote.
According to Dolan, the biggest hurdle in the early voting process is informing people about the purpose of the election. For example, someone may think the vote is presidential in nature, when it is for more local offices. To address this, the election office is ramping up its communication efforts.
Still, Dolan recommends voters take time to look into the ballot before going to Town Hall.
The elections office is also preparing for the November election well in advance. They are already polling to gauge voter interest and turnout, as well as making sure they have enough people to help. Dolan said that should November see a lot of voters, they are prepared for it.
“The last few elections have been busy,” Dolan explains, “we’ll be here late that night.”
For those who prefer to vote from home, the state sends postcards to every registered voter, asking if they’re interested in mailing their ballot. When these postcards arrive at the Town Hall, it signals that a voter wants to use the mail-in option.
Dolan emphasized that early votes undergo “advanced processing” but stressed that official totals are not available immediately. This ensures the integrity of the voting process while still allowing for the convenience of early voting.
As election day approaches, officials encourage all eligible voters to take advantage of early voting to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
