Absentee ballots in high demand across state
Officials cite record turnout of voters
Local election officials reported brisk business yesterday at their counters, with some lines snaking out the doors, as people around the state applied for and cast absentee ballots.
"We have a record number of people applying, receiving, and voting absentee," said David J. Rushford, the Worcester city clerk. "I think it's no secret that this election will make history. . . . I don't think many people want to miss being part of that historic activity."
Rushford said yesterday afternoon that the previous record for people applying for absentee ballots was about 3,200. "We've now exceeded 4,000," he said, "and we have a line of people in our hallway."
People may vote by absentee ballot if they can't make it to the polls Tuesday because they will be out of town during voting hours, because they are physically disabled and can't get to the polls, or because of religious beliefs. The ballots can be mailed back or submitted at the counter after the application is filled out. Ballots can be submitted at the counter up to noon Monday. Ballots sent by mail from within the United States must be received by Tuesday. Ballots sent from outside the country must be postmarked by Tuesday and received by Nov. 14.
"It's as busy as I've ever seen it," said Craig A.J. Manseau, election commissioner in Newton. He said he was sure the numbers were record-breaking, but he could not be more specific because he said his office was "just crazy" with work.
Geraldine Cuddyer, chairwoman of the election commissioners in Boston, also said a record-breaking number of people were seeking absentee ballots, with 13,917 applications by yesterday afternoon.
The numbers are being driven in part by intense interest in this presidential election, Cuddyer said. But she speculated that people's busy lives are also a factor, as well as an interest in early voting, which is allowed in 31 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Early voting, which requires no excuses, has recently been featured in news reports that say it appears to be on the rise this year.
"I think it shows that people are looking at alternatives to the system that we currently have in place," Cuddyer said.
In Marlborough, City Clerk Lisa Thomas said, business was steady, with the lines sometimes spilling out the door of her small office into the hallway.
"People are coming in in droves," she said.
As of Thursday, 221,687 absentee ballots had been requested statewide, said Brian McNiff, spokesman for the secretary of state. He said that number was higher than 2004, but records were not available to determine if it was a record.
The secretary of state's office said Thursday that a record number of Massachusetts residents had registered to vote.
The office said 4,220,488 people were registered by the Oct. 15 deadline, compared with 4,098,634 in 2004, the year the previous record was set. That's about a 3 percent increase.
Secretary of State William F. Galvin said he also expected a record number of residents, more than 3 million, to cast ballots.
In addition to selecting a president, Massachusetts voters will choose a US senator, all 10 congressmen, governor's councilors, state lawmakers, and some county officials. They will also decide on ballot questions that propose to abolish the state income tax, decriminalize marijuana, and ban dog racing.
Polls across the state will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. 