Elections

As the local arm of the Secretary of State’s Office, the Town Clerk also serves you as the chief election official, supervising polling places, election officers and the general conduct of all elections. The Clerk directs the preparation of ballots, polling places, voting equipment, voting lists, the certification of nomination papers and initiative petitions; administers campaign finance laws, voter registration and absentee balloting, and prepares, records and reports official election results to the Secretary of State; and serves on and supervises the Board of Registrars.

The Dalton Board of Registrars registers new voters, processes address changes on existing voters, checks petition signatures for validity, and conducts Special Registration Sessions prior to the Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election. Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Post Office, the Library, Wahconah Regional High School, the Council on Aging, as well as at the Town Clerk’s office.

The Board is online with the Secretary of State, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and all cities and towns in Massachusetts as part of a computerized Central Voter Registry, the first in the nation. Since 1997, we have used VRIS exclusively for both census and voter registration functions.

The Town Clerk both supervises and serves on the Board. Other members are appointed for 3-year terms. Current members are found here at www.mytown.gov

You may contact the Board of Registrars at the Town Hall: phone 413-684-6111 ext. 210

More information is available in the latest Annual Report, available under Publications.

State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location. Signs, stickers, and lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. State regulations also prohibit political solicitation within the restricted zone.