Absentee/Mail-In Ballots Now Available

Preliminary Municipal Election to be held on October 3rd

New Bedford, MA – The Board of Election Commissioners advises the public that absentee/mail-in ballots for the Preliminary Municipal Election are now available.  Any voter can request to receive a ballot by mail, can vote absentee in the Election Office during regular business hours, or can Vote Early in person. The Election Office is located in City Hall, 133 William Street Room 114. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The last day to register to vote is Friday, September 22nd by 5:00 p.m.

Voters can Vote Early at the following locations prior to the Election:

Saturday, September 23rd – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Main Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street

Wednesday, September 27th – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Taber Mill, 217 Deane Street (Coffin Ave. entrance)

Thursday, September 28th – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Hazelwood Senior Center, 553 Brock Avenue

Parents or family members can apply for an absentee ballot on behalf of their children attending out-of-city or State Colleges and Universities. The deadline to apply for an Absentee/Mail-in ballot by mail is Tuesday, September 26th by 5:00 p.m. or in person in the Election office the day before the Election on Monday, October 2nd by 12:00 p.m.  All Absentee/Mail-in ballots must be mailed out but can be mailed back, hand-delivered to the Election Office, or returned through the drop-off boxes outside of City Hall or on Elm Street outside of the bus terminal by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3rd to be accepted. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In the Preliminary Municipal Election, New Bedford voters will be casting their votes for Mayor, Councilor-at-Large, and Ward 5 Councillor (Ward 5 only).

Any New Bedford resident who is uncertain about their voting status, designated polling location, has changed their address since the last election, or would like to request an absentee ballot should contact the Board of Election Commissioners at (508) 979-1420.