Residents will soon have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming state primary election on Sept 3. To share information on where and when to vote on election day, Reminder Publishing created a list of polling locations to help residents of East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow and Wilbraham.
On Sept. 3, voting is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all polling locations. Residents are assigned a polling location based on their precinct. The ballot will include Clerk of Courts, Governor’s Councilor, Register of Deeds, State Representative, State Senator, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In addition to in-person voting, absentee and mail-in ballots were also accepted for the Sept. 3 election. Absentee and mail-in ballots had a deadline of Aug. 26 to apply and must be submitted to the Town Clerk by the Sept. 3 election. If a resident has already sent in an absentee or mail-in ballot, the ballot can be tracked online at sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot.
Procedures vary by town about whether submitted ballots will be opened prior to the Sept. 3 election day. Additionally, the final day of early voting is Aug. 29 for Hampden and Aug. 30 for East Longmeadow, Longmeadow and Wilbraham.
For further questions about each town’s polling location and information, contact the respective Town Clerk’s office.
East Longmeadow
In East Longmeadow, all precincts should vote at Birchland Park Middle School on Hanward Hill. While the polls are open until 8 p.m., Town Clerk Jeanne Quaglietti recommended that residents visit the polling location outside of the busiest hours, which are in the morning when polls open at 7 a.m. and between 5-7 p.m. after working hours.
Additionally, Quaglietti noted that Birchland Park will be actively open for school hours on election day, stating that residents should take this into account when coming to vote. School hours are 7:31 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the middle school.
More information is available at the Town Clerk’s website at eastlongmeadowma.gov/241/Clerk or by calling the office at 413-525-5400, ext. 1001.
Hampden
Voting in Hampden will occur at the auditorium in Hampden Town House, Town Administrator Brian Domina stated.
He also noted that absentee or mail-in voting ballots can be returned by mail, by the ballot drop box at the Hampden Town House or at the Town Clerk’s office.
For additional information about Hampden Sept. 3 voting, visit hampdenma.gov/town-clerk or contact the town clerk by phone at 413-566-2151 ext. 103.
Longmeadow
In Longmeadow, the polling location is the Community House, located at 735 Longmeadow St., Town Clerk Timothy Donnelly told Reminder Publishing. He estimated that the polls will be busiest between 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. due to when voting often fits into working schedules and recommended that residents visit in the middle portion of the day if looking to avoid crowds.
Donnelly highlighted that the polling workers are “there for [the residents]” and asked that residents “please be patient” if there are lines to reach a polling booth. He stated that the office strives to be fast and accurate, noting that the poll workers will ensure all votes will be included in the tally.
Additional information about the Sept. 3 election is available online at longmeadowma.gov/278/Town-Clerk or by calling 413-565-4103.
Wilbraham
All Wilbraham residents should visit Minnechaug Regional High School at 621 Main St. to vote in the Sept. 3 election, Town Clerk Debbie Brennan stated.
She noted that residents can view their party’s ballot prior to the election on the town website or in-person at the Town Hall. On Sept. 3, specimen ballots will be available to view at Minnechaug Regional High School prior to the voting hours, Brennan said. Specimen ballots are also available to view online on the Town News section of the town website.
Brennan also highlighted the work of poll workers to maintain the elections, saying “If a voter has an opportunity to thank an election worker, it is greatly appreciated. They do work hard to help run a smooth, fair election.”
While the polls are busiest from 7-8:30 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., Brennan explained that there was not an ideal time to visit the polls as, “we try very hard to keep the lines moving” during the entire voting period.
To contact the Wilbraham Town Clerk’s office, call 413-596-2800, ext. 200, or visit wilbraham-ma.gov/207/Town-Clerk.
