NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The New Bedford Elections Commission has announced changes to polling and mail-in ballots for the state and congressional primary election on September 3.

Due to voter feedback, the commission has made those changes, including moving polling locations to Ward 3 and making absentee and mail-in ballots available.

The changes will take effect starting with the September 3 state and congressional primary. On that day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the city.

  • Precinct C will now vote at Hayden-McFadden Elementary School, 361 Cedar Grove St. Please use the main entrance. Its previous location was Taber Mills.
  • Precinct D will now vote at Taber Mills, 271 Deane St. Please use the entrance on Coffin Avenue. Its previous location was Holy Name.

Voters can select for Senator and Representative in Congress, the Governor’s Council, and Representative in the Massachusetts General Court, Clerk of Courts, County Commissioner, and Register of Deeds.

Additionally, absentee and mail-in ballots are now available. The deadline to apply by mail for an absentee or mail-in ballot is August 26 at 5p.m., while the deadline to apply in person at the Elections Office at City Hall is September 2.

On election day, all absentee or mail-in ballots must be returned to the Elections Office by 8 p.m., either by mail, hand-delivered to the office, or placed in the drop-off boxes outside City Hall or Elm Street by the bus terminal.

Any registered voter can request a mail-in or absentee ballot or vote absentee at the Elections Office at City Hall during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early voting will be held Downtown on the third floor of the New Bedford Public Library, located at 613 Pleasant Street, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 24-30.

The voter registration deadline for the primary is August 24. Massachusetts holds what is referred to as “closed primaries,” in which voters registered with one party are not allowed to cast a ballot in the other party’s primary.

In primary elections, enrolled Democrats can only take Democrat ballots, and enrolled Republicans can only take Republican ballots.

Unenrolled or independent voters can choose which party’s ballot to take.

In the general election, however, voters are free to vote for any candidate, regardless of party affiliation.

If you are uncertain about voting status or have any further questions about the polling location, please call the Elections Commission at (508) 979-1420.

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