Town of Franklin: Early Voting Schedule for Nov 8, 2022 Election

Early voting for the Town of Franklin voters will be held in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central St. There Will Be NO Early In Person Voting At Franklin High School

• Saturday, October 22 - Early Voting in person 9:00 am until 3:00 pm

• Monday, October 24 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Tuesday, October 25 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Wednesday, October 26 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 6:00 pm

• Thursday, October 27 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Friday, October 28 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 1:00 pm

• Saturday, October 29 - Last Day to Register to Vote and Early Voting in person 9:00 am until 5:00 pm

• Monday, October 31 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Tuesday, November 1 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Wednesday, November 2 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 6:00 pm

• Thursday, November 3 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

• Friday, November 4 - Early Voting in person between 8:00 am until 1:00 pm

More information on the election can be found on the Town Clerk's page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Town of Franklin: Early Voting Schedule for Nov 8, 2022 Election

Senator Becca Rausch and I had a wide ranging conversation on education, health care, elections & voting, and more (audio)

FM #857 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 857 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Senator Becca Rausch. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this post pandemic period.

We have a wide ranging conversation on education, health care, elections & voting, and of course climate. Links to the Senator’s pages as mentioned during our conversation are provided in the show notes.  

Our recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Senator Becca Rausch.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-857-state-senator-becca-rausch-10-03-22

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Senator Becca Rausch home page:   https://www.beccarauschma.com/ 

Her issues page:  https://www.beccarausch.com/issues    

Constituent engagement opportunities

• Youth advisory council  https://www.beccarauschma.com/youth-advisory-council 

• Small business advisory council  https://www.beccarauschma.com/small-business-council 

• Virtual office hours   https://www.beccarauschma.com/office-hours 

Newsletter archive  https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=09452b4d597ce95fe20563af4&id=c427233b9b  

Hey Sam - support line -> https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/24-7-helpline/ 

From the audio archives: 

The conversation recorded in March 2021

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-492-senator-becca-rausch-031121-audio.html 

The conversation recorded in August 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-331-senator-becca-rausch-81420-audio.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

what is your voting plan?

The State Election 2022 Red Book is coming to your postal mailbox

The Secretary of the Commonwealth has announced:

"Check your mailbox for the red Information for Voters book, which has information on 2022 ballot questions. Books are being delivered to all households this month.

Note: There will be 4 statewide questions on the November ballot. 

Questions 1-3 are included in the printed Information for Voters book. Question 4 was submitted too late to be included, but you can find it in the online version at http://VoteInMA.com."

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/VotingInMass/status/1570459490637729796

Question 1 -  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_1.htm

Question 2 -  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_2.htm

Question 3 -  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_3.htm

Question 4 -  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_4.htm

The Red Book is coming to your postal mailbox

CommonWealth Magazine: "Half of primary ballots cast before Election Day"

"ELECTION DAY may be a misnomer. 

State primary turnout figures make clear a new reality, with important implications for campaign strategies: Election Day is actually election season. For the second time in as many election cycles, fewer than half of ballots were cast on Election Day itself. More were cast early, either in person or, primarily, by mail. " 

Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/half-of-primary-ballots-cast-before-election-day/

voting booths at Franklin High School

	% by Mail	% Early Vote	% Day of	Total Ballots
Democrat	52.0%	4.7%	43.2%	777,819
Republican	27.4%	4.2%	68.3%	276,158

"The decision also dismisses several other claims the Republicans made"

"THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT on Tuesday dismissed the major constitutional challenge that has been levied against the new state law allowing voting by mail, formally addressing a legal question that has been hovering over attempts to expand the law for years. The court found that the Constitution, which lays out specific reasons why someone may vote absentee, does not prohibit the Legislature from expanding voting access beyond that. 

“Voting is a fundamental right, and nothing in [the Constitution] prohibits the Legislature, which has plenary constitutional powers, including broad powers to regulate the process of elections and even broader powers with respect to primaries, from enhancing voting opportunities,” Justice Scott Kafker wrote in a 61-page unanimous opinion. 

In June, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Charlie Baker signed, a law that authorizes early voting by mail for any voter without an excuse in all state elections, starting this year. Early voting by mail was first authorized as an emergency measure in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and voting rights advocates pointed to high turnout in the 2020 elections in urging lawmakers to adopt voting by mail permanently. But the Massachusetts Republican Party and other opponents worried that mail-in voting would be less secure and raised a host of other concerns."

Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/sjc-says-legislature-has-broad-powers-on-voting/

You can read the full SJC decision online ->  https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2022/08/30/h13307.pdf

"The decision also dismisses several other claims the Republicans made"

Franklin State Primary voters: If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox

"Have a mail-in ballot sitting on your kitchen table or tacked up on your refrigerator?

Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin advises that you fill it out and take it to a secure drop box, early voting site, or your local city or town hall before 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 if you want it to be counted for the state primary election.

Because of the Labor Day holiday and possible delays on the part of the Postal Service, Galvin said it’s safer to hand-deliver the ballot, as opposed to dropping it in the mail."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/29/metro/have-mail-ballot-sitting-home-heres-what-you-need-do-make-your-vote-count-mass-primary/

 

Franklin has a new option for your mail ballot. The key one being to drop it at the Municipal Building where a new dropbox has been installed in the Town Clerk's office.

If you have a vote by mail ballot, drop it at the Municipal Building dropbox

Town of Franklin early voting schedule for the September State Primary

The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 6am-8pm at Franklin High School Gymnasium. 

In person early voting will take place August 27 - September 2 at the Franklin High School Gymnasium (218 Oak Street) or Franklin Municipal Building (355 East Central Street). 

The Franklin High School in person early voting dates are as follows...

• August 27 9am-3pm
• August 29 9am-3pm
• August 30 9am-3pm 
• August 31 9am-5pm
• September 1 9am-3pm
• September 2 8am-12pm

You may also vote early in person at the Franklin Municipal Building Monday through Thursday from 8am-4pm and Friday from 8am-1pm, now until September 2nd, 2022.

Town Clerk Nancy Danello talks about the State primary in this audio segment

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/multiple-updates-discussed-with-town.html

And in this audio segment, about the overall election process 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/08/nancy-danello-franklin-town-clerk-talks.html

Town of Franklin early voting schedule for the September State Primary

Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk regarding Early In Person Voting

The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 6 AM - 8 PM at Franklin High School Gymnasium. In person early voting will take place August 27 - September 2 at the Franklin High School Gymnasium (218 Oak Street) or Franklin Municipal Building (355 East Central Street). 

The Franklin High School in person early voting dates are as follows...

August 27 9am-3pm

 August 29 9am-3pm

August 30 9am-3pm 

August 31 9am-5pm

September 1 9am-3pm

September 2 8am-12pm

You may also vote early in person at the Franklin Municipal Building Monday through Thursday from 8am-4pm and Friday from 8am-1pm, now until September 2nd, 2022.

Shared from Town of Franklin Town Clerk ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-office-town-clerk-regarding-early-person-voting

 

 

Nancy Danello, Franklin Town Clerk talks about the Election Process - 08/03/22 (audio)

FM #834 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 834 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello. We met in the Town Clerk office in the Franklin Municipal Building to discuss the overall election process. The overall process is functionally the same for the State Primary and for the regular November election. The cutoff dates, the early voting dates, and the election dates will change but the process remains basically the same. 

We cover the following key topics

• Vote by mail and early voting now permanent per State legislation

• “Independent” voters need to check the box for which primary ballot they want (Democrat or Republican, don’t need to make that choice for the November election)

• If you are registered with a party and you want the other party's primary ballot, checking the box is not sufficient. You need to submit a “part change form” to get the other party ballot. 

• Vote by mail process walked through, similar to in person voting whether early or day of

• Validation of machine tallies to be scheduled

• Only the total of voters casting ballots are tallied each day of early voting

• Early and absentee ballots to be process during the Primary day

• Vote totals at the close Primary Day will be “unofficial” until certified within the next 3 days to become official vote results

The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and other election information.

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen in to my conversation with Nancy. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-834-franklin-ma-town-clerk-on-the-election-process-08-03-22

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Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 

Register to vote ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ 

State Primary early voting schedule  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/state_primary_early_voting_schedule.pdf 

  

Vote by mail process diagram -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/vote_by_mail_process.pdf 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Nancy Danello, Franklin Town Clerk 

Multiple updates discussed with Town Clerk Nancy Danello in advance of the Sep 6 State Primary -07/26/22 (audio)

FM #833 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 833 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello and Dyan Fitzgerald, Deputy Town Clerk. We met in the Town Clerk office in the Franklin Municipal Building to discuss the preparation for the State Primary election scheduled for Sep 6, 2022.

We cover the following key topics

• Vote by mail and early voting now permanent per State legislation

• Town Council required to approve the schedule and police detail before each election

• Secretary of the Commonwealth mailed vote by mail cards to registered voters

• “Independent” voters need to check the box for which primary ballot they want (Democrat or Republican, don’t need to make that choice for the November election)

• Early voting schedule being approved by Secretary of the Commonwealth 

• in Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours

• Effectively one week before the Sep 6 primary at FHS

• Absentee ballot applications available now

• State Primary Day - Sep 6, 2022

The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and other election information.

Our conversation runs about 14 minutes, so let’s listen in to my conversation with Nancy and Dyan. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-833-town-clerk-updates-on-the-state-primary-election-sep-2022-07-26-22

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Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 

Register to vote ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ 

Sample ballots for Sep 6 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/state-primary-9-6-2022-sample-ballots

In person early voting schedule for State Primary -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/state_primary_early_voting_schedule.pdf

9 precincts for Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_precinct_map.pdf

  

New vote by mail drop off box at Municipal Building ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/new-vote-mail-drop-box

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

new vote by mail drop off box at the Municipal Building

"No major problems with ballot drop boxes in 2020, AP finds"

"The expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots during the 2020 election did not lead to any widespread problems, according to an Associated Press survey of state election officials across the US that revealed no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results.

The findings from both Republican- and Democratic-controlled states run contrary to claims made by former President Donald Trump and his allies who have intensely criticized their use and falsely claimed they were a target for fraud.

Drop boxes are considered by many election officials to be safe and secure, and have been used to varying degrees by states across the political spectrum. Yet conspiracy theories and efforts by Republicans to eliminate or restrict them since the 2020 election persist. This month, the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled that drop boxes are not allowed under state law and can no longer be widely used."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/17/nation/no-major-problems-with-ballot-drop-boxes-2020-ap-finds/  

A voter submits a ballot in an official drop box during early voting in Athens, Ga., on Oct. 19, 2020.JOHN BAZEMORE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

“We were confident all along that this attempt to block the VOTES Act was meritless”

"THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT will uphold the VOTES Act, the new law that allows Massachusetts residents to vote early by mail for any reason. 

The court on Monday announced that it will reject a challenge by a group of Massachusetts Republican Party leaders and side entirely with Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin to keep the law intact for the 2022 election cycle. "

Continue reading the article in CommonWealth Magazine ->    https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/sjc-upholds-no-excuse-voting-by-mail/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required) ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/11/metro/mass-high-court-rejects-gop-challenge-mail-in-voting/

Secretary of State William Galvin addresses reporters after word that the Supreme Judicial Court has dismissed a Republican challenge to the state's new law allowing voting by mail for any reason. "The presses are now rolling," Galvin said about the printing of ballot applications. (Photo by Shira Schoenberg)

MA News Recap: Some State lawmakers object to MCAS proposal; SJC approves language for "fair share"; Votes Act signed

Mass. legislators urge state education leaders not to raise MCAS graduation requirements 

"Nearly 100 Massachusetts lawmakers sent a letter to state education leaders on Tuesday opposing raising state standardized test scores needed for students to graduate high school.

The letter highlights concerns from legislators about consequences they believe a state proposal made in April to raise the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, or MCAS, graduation requirements could have, particularly among students who have been “disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members said in April they want to ensure students who receive a diploma meet the state’s expectations on a new version of the MCAS test. They also want to push schools to better support those students who struggle to pass the MCAS who disproportionately are from low-income households, students of color, students with disabilities, and English language learners."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/22/metro/mass-legislators-urge-state-education-leaders-not-raise-mcas-graduation-requirements/ 

A PDF copy of the letter can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sBjNscREZjSGAoFo2Io3a3WC34YTLoCR/view?usp=sharing

Mass. high court rules ‘millionaires tax’ question was written ‘fairly.’ It goes before voters in November.

"The state’s highest court on Wednesday rejected a challenge from business leaders to rewrite the summary of a ballot measure that would raise taxes on the state’s wealthiest residents, handing a victory to labor unions, Democratic lawmakers, and others who’ve spent years pushing the measure to a November vote.

In an unanimous decision, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Attorney General Maura Healey’s office “fairly” described the thrust of the so-called millionaires tax proposal in both a summary it’s required to prepare for voters and one-sentence statements outlining what a “yes” or “no” vote would do.

The proposal, dubbed the Fair Share Amendment by its proponents, would amend the state Constitution to create a 9 percent income tax rate on annual earnings above $1 million, while retaining the broad 5 percent rate for earnings below that amount."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article online (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/22/metro/sjc-rejects-business-leaders-challenge-millionaires-tax-summary-ruling-it-was-written-fairly/

Bucking party, Baker makes vote-by-mail permanent

"DESPITE CONCERNS by members of his own party, Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed a law Wednesday making voting by mail permanent.  

Massachusetts allowed early voting by mail for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Democrats and voting rights activists have been pushing to make the reforms permanent in order to increase voter turnout.  

The new law will permanently allow voting by mail for any state or presidential primary or general election. It shortens the voter registration window to 10 days, although it does not allow for same-day voter registration, as some advocates had hoped.  "

Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/bucking-party-baker-makes-vote-by-mail-permanent/

MA News Recap