Voter Registration
Voter registration requirements
• A person must be 18 years of age by election day
• A person must be a citizen of the U.S.
• A person must be a legal resident of Massachusetts
• A person must supply identification
A person has the right to register at any City or Town Hall in Massachusetts. Once registered the person is placed on a voting list in the Town where they reside. When registering, an applicant must give his/her date of birth, legal name, address and identification. The applicant will then sign an affirmation under the pains and penalty of perjury that all information given is truthful and correct.
The registration is permanent until a voter moves to another city or town or signs an affidavit stating they no longer wish to remain a voter. In order to remain registered, you must also return the town census. If you have not returned the census and have not voted in the past two state or federal elections you may be taken off the voters list. If a person moves within the Town, they must notify the Board of Registrars in writing.
Mail-in affidavits are also available by calling the Town Clerk’s Office.
Registration Deadlines
• If you are not a registered voter and plan on voting in the next election, the last day to register is 20 days prior to the election.
Absentee Ballots
Applications for absentee ballots must be made in person or in writing no later than noon of the day prior to an election, but preferably much sooner. A ballot is then mailed to the applicant and must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office before the close of the polls on Election Day. You may vote absentee if you are a registered voter and unable to go to the polls on election day due to a physical disability, religious belief or you will be out of town. Illegal absentee voting is punishable by up to a $500.00 fine and one year in prison.
(Link to a list of upcoming election dates and deadlines)
Board of Registrars
The Board of Selectmen, from a list submitted by the Democratic and Republican Town committees, appoint the Board of Election Registrars. In accordance with the law, two members must be registered Democrats and Two members must be registered Republicans. The board is composed of three members and the Town Clerk, who serves as ex-officio. The registrars are responsible for certifying nomination papers, conducting the registration of voters, officiating at recounts and ruling on any voting/election discrepancies.
Polling Locations
Precinct |
Polling Place |
Polling Place Address |
1 |
American Legion Hall |
Taylor Street |
2 |
Veteran's School |
Hurd Avenue |
3 |
Hammersmith Nursing Home |
Chestnut Street |
4 |
Belmonte Middle School |
Dow Street |
5 |
Lynnhurst School |
Elm Street |
6 |
Veteran's School |
Hurd Avenue |
7 |
Knights of Columbus |
1 K of C Drive |
8 |
Belmonte Middle School |
Dow Street |
9 |
Oaklandvale School |
Main Street |
10 |
Italian American Club |
1 Beachview Avenue |
For further information on your polling location, please call the Town Clerk’s Office.
Census
On January 1st of each year, the Town Clerk’s Office issues a census form (Annual Street Listing) to each household within the Town. The importance of this legal document is immense.
In order to be eligible for many grants and loans available to cities and towns through various state agencies, the Town of Saugus is required to provide an accurate record of the number of residence within the Town. Without such accuracy, the Town may lose out on opportunities to receive such grants. It should also be noted that without accurate local census information, the number of congressional representatives for the state of Massachusetts could be limited.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, AND SIGN YOUR CENSUS FORM EVERY YEAR AND RETURN IT TO THIS OFFICE!
If you are unsure if you have returned your census form, please feel free to contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
List of Persons
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws the Town Clerk’s Office with the Registrars of Voters prepare a list of names and addresses of all persons seventeen years of age or older. This listing is available on or before June 15th of each year in the Town Clerk’s Office for a fee of $15.00.
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