Voting in Northampton: What Ward am I in and Where do I Vote?

The last day to register to vote in the 2016 election is next Wednesday, October 19, 2016.  If you're unsure of your voter registration status, you can easily check online with the Voter Registration Status system.

If you are registered, the system will show you your voting status, party enrollment, the ward and precinct you're in, your polling location, your ballot, as well as a handy list of your elected officials.

Register to Vote

Voting2

Andre Kopacki/Paradise City Press

You can register to vote in person at City Hall in Northampton.  The City Clerk's office is in Room 4 on the first floor.

If you have an ID from the RMV, and an address, the Massachusetts Online Voter Registration is easy to use. 

If you don't have an ID from the RMV, you can still use the system to fill out an application. The system will provide you with a printable version of your filled-out application. You can mail the form or take it to the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 210 Main St. in Northampton.  To have one mailed to you, call the Massachusetts Secretary of Commonwealth's office at 617-727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE.

If you don't have a permanent address you can list the address at which you currently sleep.  According to nonprovitevote.org "It is recommended homeless registrants list a shelter address as their voting address where they could receive mail. Alternatively, homeless registrants may denote a street corner or a park as their residence, in lieu of a traditional home address."

Early and Absentee Voting

This year any registered Massachusetts voter is eligible to vote early.

Early voting will begin on October 24th and continue through November 4th.  Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early.  In Northampton, early voting can be done in person at City Hall during the following dates and times

  • October 24-28 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  • October 29, 2016 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • November 1- 3, 2016, 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  • November 4, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Just fill out an early ballot application, found here and return it to City Hall.

Only those who will be absent from the city on Election Day, or have a disability or religious belief that prevents them from going to the polls, are legally allowed to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be found here.

Ballot Measures

2016 ballot measures and their summaries can be found here.

Polling Times and ID

Polls are open on November 8th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You’re allowed to vote if you’re in line by 8:00 PM.

At the polls you may need to show ID if one of the following applies to you:

  • You’re voting for the first time in Massachusetts
  • Your registration status is inactive because you haven’t voted recently
  • The poll worker has some reasonable suspicion that leads them to request ID
  • You have to complete a provisional or challenged ballot at the polls

If asked to show an ID to a poll worker, you may show one of the following documents that shows your name and address:

  • A Massachusetts driver’s license
  • A Massachusetts-issued ID
  • A recent utility bill
  • A signed lease
  • A rent receipt
  • Any other document showing your name and address

Polling Locations by Ward and Precinct

Ward 1

Jackson Street School Gymnasium, 120 Jackson Street

Ward 2

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust Street

Ward 3

Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street

Ward 4

Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street

Ward 5

precinct A: Florence Civic and Business Building, 90 Park Street

precinct B: Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust Street

Ward 6

Robert K. Finn Ryan Road School, 498 Ryan Road, Florence

Ward 7

precinct A: John F. Kennedy Middle School Community Room, 100 Bridge Road, Florence

precinct B: Leeds School gymnasium, 20 Florence Street, Leeds


Information was adapted from NorthamptonMA.gov,  Sec.state.ma.us, Nonprofitvote.org, and Google's 2016 How to Vote

Featured images by Andre Kopacki.