Annual Town Election has been MOVED to Tues. April 30th
Special State Primary is also on Tues. April 30th
SPECIMEN BALLOTS FOR APRIL 30, 2013
April 10, 2013
Voter Registration for
Special State Primary and Stow Annual Town Election
April 10th is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the Special State Primary and Stow’s annual town election to be held on April 30, 2013. On the 10th, the town clerk’s office will be open extended hours, until 8 p.m., for a special voter registration session.
Voter registration may also be done by mail in Massachusetts. The mail-in form must be received by the Stow Board of Registrars of Voters or postmarked on or before April 10th to be registered for the April 30th elections. In Stow, the mail-in voter registration forms are available in the Town Building, Randall Library and the post office. The voter registration form is available online at www.stow-ma.gov Stow voters may mail their voter registration form to: Stow Town Clerk, 380 Great Rd.
Stow, MA 01775-2127.
Stow voter registration may be done year-round, at the Stow town clerk’s office, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The office is closed daily for lunch 12:30 p.m.– 1 p.m.
Check the town website at www.stow-ma.gov for additional information or contact the Stow town clerk, 978-897-4514 ext 1.
The polling place for both Stow precincts is
Center School, 403 Great Road. Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
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Over 250 Census Forms have not been returned – please send them in!
Over 300 dogs have not been licensed – please license them! The April 15th deadline is approaching and late fees will be assessed.
2013 CENSUS/STREET LISTING
Stow’s 2013 annual town census/street listing was amiled to all households in early January 2013. Per Mass. General Law and Stow’s General Bylaws, residents are required to fill out the form and return it to the town clerk’s office within 10 days. Compliance provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veteran's bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits, as well as providing information for selection of jurors and school enrollment.
The Census DOES NOT register you as a voter.
Completed forms should be mailed to the Office of the Town Clerk, 380 Great Rd. Stow, MA 01775-2127.
DATES TO REMEMBER!
Tues. April 30th Special State Primary & Annual Town Election
Polling location: Center School, 403 Great Road (both precincts)
Polls open 7am-8pm
Voter Registration Deadline: April 10th
Mon. May 6th Annual Town Meeting
(*Tues. May7th) Hale School, 55 Hartley Road
7pm - conclusion of warrant articles
* May run consecutive nights *
Voter Registration Deadline: April 16th
Tues. June 25th Special State Election
Polling location: Center School, 403 Great Road (both precincts)
Polls open: 7am-8pm
Voter Registration Deadline: June 5th
Important Notice
Polling Location Change for November elections!
The Town of Stow voters will now vote at CENTER SCHOOL, 403 GREAT RD.
Same Location for BOTH Precincts 1 &2
Can't remember which precinct you are in?
We will be using the Center School gymnasisum for the November 6th Election.
Parking is accessed off of Great Road.
Additional parking at Town Building, Town Hall, Hartley Road, west bound along Great Road.
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Notice of Vacancy
Election Workers
Registered Stow voters interested in working at the polls during elections, please contact the Chief Election Officer
Stow voters registered as Republican and Democrat are considered first per MGL with registered Unenrolled voters and other parties considered second.
Duties include: Checking voters, assisting with the ballot box, and counting ballots.
Training Sessions are required.
Names are added to the master list and are called upon on an ‘as needed’ basis.
If you are interested, please contact Linda Hathaway,
Town Clerk and Chief Election Officer, 978-897-4514 x 1 or mail a letter of interest to Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow
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Voter Registration Deadline for Stow's Annual Town Election on April 30, 2013
Are you registered to vote? Is the information current? Are you sure?
- Are new to town and would like to vote in future elections
- Moved to a new address within town
- Changed your name
- Want to change parties or unenroll from a party
April 10th is the last day to register to vote or change party affliation in order to be able to vote in the Special State Primary and Stow's Annual Town Election April 30th.
The town clerk's office will be open until 8 pm on the 10th.
April 16th is the last day to register to vote in order to be eligible to vote in Stow's Annual Town Meeting on May 6th, 2013.
The town clerk's office will be open until 8 pm on the 16th.
Voter Registration may be Completed at the:
- Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- The Registry of Motor Vehicles
- Via Mail (mail-in forms are available at the Randall Library, the Stow Post Office, or the Stow Town Building)
- Download a Registration form, fill it out, and drop it off at the Stow Town Building or mail it to the Stow Town Clerk, 380 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775
Approximately 250 households did not return the January 2013 street list/census mailing and the voters will be moved to the Inactive Voters list per Mass. General Laws. Chapter 51, sections 4, 37, & 37A. These voters should either return the voter confirmation card which was sent to them or return the completed census form to the town clerk's office as soon as possible.
Call the Town Clerk's Office if you are unsure of your voter status: 978-897-4514 x1.
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Absentee Ballots
To Vote an Absentee Ballot
You may vote absentee if you:
- will not be in Stow between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day;
- a physical disability prevents the voter from going to the polling place;
- or because of a religious belief.
What a voter must do:
(Please read "Important Reminders" for deadlines and more information)
1. Must fill out the Absentee Ballot Application prior to receiving an absentee ballot.
Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office, contact the Town Clerk to have an application mailed to you, or download an application online.
Click here for information about who qualifies for an absentee ballot.
Download an absentee ballot application for yourself
The application must be received by the Board of Registrars of Voters/Town Clerk by noon the day before the Election.
2. An absentee ballot can be mailed to you OR you may make arrangements to vote in the Town Clerk’s Office once the application is received by the Town Clerk. If you wish to vote in the Town Clerk's Office; please call ahead to make an appointment 978-897-4514 x1.
Important Reminders
1. An absentee voter must fall into one of the allowable categories in order to vote absentee. Illegal absentee voting, including making a false application, is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and additional penalties.
2.The absentee application must be received before NOON the day before the Election.
3. If the voter wishes to have the absentee ballot mailed to him/her - be sure to submit the application as early as possible and allow at least 3 days to receive the ballot in the mail.
4. If the voter wishes to vote the absentee ballot at the town clerk's office - please call ahead to make arrangements to do so. 978-897-4514 x1
5. If mailing their absentee ballot back to the Town Clerk's Office - the voter needs to allow enough time to ensure the ballot is received prior to the close of polls on election day (next election -Tuesday, March 6th.)
Please contact the Town Clerk's office for more information. 978-897-4514 x 1.
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Census/Street List mailing
Stow’s 2013 annual town census/street listing will be mailed to all households in early January 2013. Per Mass. General Law and Stow’s General Bylaws, residents are required to fill out the form and return it to the town clerk’s office within 10 days.
Compliance provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veteran's bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits, as well as providing information for selection of jurors and school enrollment.
The Census DOES NOT register you as a voter.
Please include information for all members of the household.
The mailing will also include a dog licensing form and a reminder to properly display the assigned street number on one’s home and business.
The data provided by residents is important and helps town officials compile accurate population figures and voting records. The town also uses the data for long-range planning and school assignments. State and federal funding may be based upon the data provided.
One reason some households do not receive the census form is the household mail is delivered to a post office box and we only have a street address.
Please be sure to provide us with your correct mailing address. Thank you.
Completed forms should be mailed to the Office of the Town Clerk, 380 Great Rd. Stow, MA 01775-2127.
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2013 Dog Licenses are available ~ All dogs should be licensed by January 31, 2013!
The fee to license a New Dog(s) in Stow is $10.00.
If your dog has moved or died please call the Town Clerk's office so we can update our database and avoid mailing you unecessary reminders. 978-897-4514 x1
Dog owners are reminded to license their dogs. All dogs over six months of age must be vaccinated and licensed within 30 days of the old license expiring (Jan 31st ) or if a new dog, within 30 days of residency in Stow. Dog licenses are $10 per dog for households with 1-3 dogs. Households with 4 dogs or more will be issued kennel licenses. Contact the town clerk for fees. Dog licenses are valid from January 1 - December 31, 2013. All of the requirements are part of the Animal Control Bylaw, Article 6. Section 7 of the Stow General Bylaws. Click here for the Animal Control bylaw.
Simply mail a check along with the 2013 request form, current rabies certificate(s), and a self addressed 64 cent stamped envelope to the Town Clerk’s Office, 380 Great Road, Stow. Click here for the dog license request form.
Make the check payable to the Town of Stow, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (64 cents & 88 cents for 3+ tags) and current rabies certificate. The new tag and license will be mailed to the owners.
It is important that an up-to date rabies vaccination certificate be on file with the Town Clerk or presented at the time of licensing. Any applications without the proper fees or a rabies certificates will be returned to the dog owner. The deadline to license dogs is January 31, 2013. Owners will incurr fines after April 15th. The fee to license the dogs after April 15th will be $35.00 per dog.
A rabies clinic will be held on April 4, 2013 at the Stow Highway Barn, 88 South Acton Rd.
Call the Town Clerk's Office if there are any questions, 978-897-4514 x1
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About the Town Clerk
Appointment Authority
Appointed by the Board of Selectmen
Description of Duties:
Seventy-three chapters and four hundred fifty-one statutes
of Massachusetts General Law
direct the Town Clerk's duties.
- Serves as Chief Election Officer, Public Information and Legislative Administrator, and Local Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics (birth, death, and marriage).
- Issues marriage licenses, dog licenses, and business certificates.
- Is a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters and is responsible for carrying out the functions of the Board in preparation, publication, and circulation of voter lists, the annual census and street listing of Stow residents.
- Submits all bylaws passed by Town Meeting to the Attorney general for approval.
*Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk
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