Westfield City Clerk Karen M. Fanion (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – City Clerk Karen M. Fanion said recent legislation has been passed answering some questions about the Special State Senate election slated for May 19, 2020.
Republican John F. Cain of Southwick and Westfield Democrat John C. Velis are the only candidates on the Special Senate Election ballot for the Second Hampden and Hampshire District seat, formerly held by Westfield Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr.
Fanion said the legislation allows the use of election materials from the original election of date of March 31 for the new election date. All ballots, including absentee and official, will have the date of the original election on them.
Absentee ballots cast for the original election will also be counted for the new election date.
The reason for voting absentee because a physical disability to prevent the voter from going to the polling place (only until June 30, 2020) has been expanded to include any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 in response to a declared state of emergency, or from guidance from a medical professional, local or state health official, or any civil authority.
The legislation also provides for early voting by mail for the special state election to be held May 19, 2020. Voters must submit a written request for an early voting ballot, available at www.cityofwestfield.org, or any form of written communication asking for an early voting ballot.
Early voting by mail is highly encouraged. Voters can fill out the request for a ballot, sign it and mail it to the City Clerk’s Office, EV Ballot Application, 59 Court St., Westfield, MA 01085 or drop it off in the drop off box at City Hall. All early voting ballots must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by Election Day, therefore, it is recommended to apply for an early voting ballot as soon as possible. Early ballots may be returned by mail or in the drop off box at City Hall.
Fanion said early voting applications will be available with the lunches that are distributed at the Senior Center.
Westfield Middle School will be the one temporary centralized polling location for all six wards for the May 19 Special State Election.
