Public Hearing 1/29/24

In accordance with the requirements of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, Section 11, and the Votes Act, the Sandisfield Select Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:30pm at the Town Hall, 66 Sandisfield Rd., Sandisfield, MA, to opt out of offering vote by mail for the Local Election in May 2024.

The process of sending out Vote by Mail ballots requires the Town Clerk to mail out ballots to all requesters. These requesters must then fill out the ballot, send it back to Town Hall where the Town Clerk processes the ballot. In 2024 the Town Clerk will conduct this process for three separate elections, the Presidential Primary, the State Primary and the General Election.

The Vote by Mail process is time consuming, expensive and unnecessary for Sandisfield’s small upcoming Local Election in May. Please note, this will not affect absentee voting and residents will still have the option for absentee early voting.

In order for a Town with 1,500 or less voters to opt out of offering Vote by Mail for early voting, Massachusetts General Law requires a Public Hearing and public roll call vote by the Select Board. If you would like to voice your opinion on the matter, please attend the Public Hearing on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:30pm in person or via Zoom.

Vote by Mail ballots will still be available for the Presidential Primary in March, the State Primary in September and the General Election in November. Absentee voting will not be impacted.

Opting out of Vote by Mail will be an annual process, so should the Town dislike not having this option, the Select Board can choose not to opt out for the next Local Election.