By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
With just over a month until the Sept. 1 state primary, North Attleborough election officials are preparing to mail ballots, open early voting and help residents prepare to vote in this year’s state primary.
During a July 30 meeting, the Board of Election Commissioners reviewed preparations for the primary, including vote-by-mail, early voting and Election Day logistics. Administrative Assistant Kate Benker said the town has been receiving vote-by-mail applications, distributed by the state, and expects to begin mailing ballots on a rolling basis next week.
“The sooner applications come in, the sooner those ballots can go out,” Benker said.
Benker said applications are processed as they are received, meaning voters who submit them earlier can expect to receive their ballots sooner.
Early voting begins Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Attleborough Town Hall.
Aug. 22 is the final day for residents to register to vote or change their political party enrollment before the primary. Voter registration and party enrollment changes may be completed at Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional early voting will be held Monday, Aug. 24, through Thursday, Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 28, from 8 a.m. to noon at Town Hall.
Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 1. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at North Attleborough High School.
Races affecting local voters
Gov. Maura Healey is seeking a second term and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republican voters will choose between Michael Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve to determine who will challenge Healey in the November general election.
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey faces U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. On the Republican side, John Deaton is unopposed for his party’s nomination.
Residents of Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District, which includes North Attleborough, will vote in the Democratic primary between incumbent U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and challenger Jason Poulos. Thomas Stalcup is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Closer to home, state Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) who represents the 14th Bristol District, is seeking reelection and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. State Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro), who represents the Bristol and Norfolk District, is also unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Depending on party enrollment, voters will cast ballots for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the commonwealth, state treasurer and state auditor.
Unenrolled voters may choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot, while voters enrolled in a political party may vote only in that party’s primary.
Residents can view sample ballots and additional election information through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division or the North Attleborough Elections Office.
Longtime elections official recognized
Members of the Board of Election Commissioners recognized Elections Coordinator Pat Dolan, who retired on July 20 after more than 18 years with the town.
Chair Neil Lambert thanked Dolan for her years of service and the lasting impact she had on the town’s election operations. With Dolan’s retirement, the Elections Coordinator position will be absorbed into the Town Clerk’s Office.
“Pat did a phenomenal job as the elections coordinator for 18-plus years, and we’ll miss her,” Lambert said. “Her retirement leaves a big role to fill, but she prepared the elections office staff for the road ahead.”