Town Elections

Voters who are unable to vote on Election Day because of physical disability, religious beliefs or absence from the town may vote by absentee ballot. If you will be absent from Dunstable for an extended period of time, you may submit a single application for all elections occurring within the year the application is accepted.

Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the Town Clerk or the Office of the Secretary of State. Applications may be submitted in person or by mail. All absentee ballots must be mailed (ballots may not be hand delivered) so please allow time for the ballot to be mailed to you so that you will get them in time for the election. You may also vote at the town clerk's office. Absentee Ballot form for yourself is available here. 

A "family member" may submit an application for someone. The voter or a family member must sign all applications, under the pains and penalties of perjury, before a ballot will be made available All absentee ballots must be mailed. Click Here for an application for a family member!

In a primary election, a voter who is not registered in a political party must specify the ballot of the party of choice in the application. You will not become registered in a party because of your participation in a primary.

Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk before 12:00 noon the day before an election. (*A voter who is admitted to a health care facility after noon of the fifth day before an election may apply for a ballot up until the close of the polls and may request to have the ballot hand delivered.) Absentee ballots generally are available a month before an election. Please feel free to vote early! Call if you have any questions.

Information for overseas voters regarding the Federal Write-In Ballot.

Chapter 55 of Mass General Law governs the financing of political campaigns in Massachusetts. The statue requires that candidates and political committees disclose all contributions received and expenditures made. There are various limitations and prohibitions on certain sources of campaign contributions. Additionally, the manner in which campaign funds may be spent is regulated by this statue along with guidelines established by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009 made changes to the Campaign Finance Law requiring City and Town Clerks to post Campaign Finance Reports for candidates and ballot question committees when there has been $1,000 or more in activity. 

These reports, and reports for political campaigns with under $1,000 in activity, are filed in the Town Clerk's office and are available to the public.

Statement of Organization (M101)

• Any public employee who runs for elective office and will raise funds must have a committee organized on their behalf
• MGL Chapter 55, section 13 prohibits paid state, county, city or town employees, from political fundraising, even for their own campaign 

8th day Preceding Election Reports Must be Filed by:

• All candidates/treasurers appearing on ballot
• Treasurers for ballot question committees

Year end reports must be filed by:

• All incumbents
• All candidates/treasurers whose name appeared on ballot regardless of outcome
• Treasurers of active ballot question committees
• Treasurers of all other active candidate committees

What is Required for Filing with the Town Clerk? 

• M 102 is required for all candidates who HAVE received contributions, made expenditures (includes those who have spent their own money); or incurred obligations during the reporting period, or DO have a campaign fund in existence (balance). 
• Receipts of $50 or more must be itemized alphabetically on Schedule A; Candidates required to file an M 102 should disclose the disposition of assets as receipts on Schedule A
• Expenditures of $50 or more must be itemized alphabetically on Schedule B
• Any donations made of value (other than money) of $50 or more must be itemized on Schedule C
• Schedule D is a cumulative schedule of ALL debts as of the last day of the reporting period
• Click here for detailed information
• M102-0 for candidates who HAVE NOT received contributions, made expenditures, or incurred obligations during the reporting period and DO NOT have a campaign fund in existence (balance).
• The 30th day after election report (M 102) would be filed 30 days after the election. The post-election report can be considered the final report if candidate has no cash balance, assets, or outstanding liabilities.

Dissolution of Committee: Treasurers are required to retain a detailed account of receipts for 6 years from the date of the relevant election.

Candidates running for Municipal Office who File Locally: Click here to access the Campaign Finance Guide.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FILED WITH TOWN CLERK

• None have met the $1,000 or more activity to be posted, they are still however available in the office.

Poll Locations & Hours

• All voting is conducted at the Dunstable Public Library, in the Community Room, for all elections.
  • 588 Main Street | Dunstable, MA
• The polls are open from 12pm-8pm for Annual and Special Town Elections.
• The polls are open from 7am - 8pm for State Elections/Primaries, and Presidential Elections.

Make Sure You Are Registered To Vote

• To vote early or on Election Day you must be a registered voter. Not sure if you’re registered? Find out your voter registration status.
• Not registered to vote? You can register online if you are a United States citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and will be 18 on or before Election Day.

Vote by Mail

• Fill out the vote by mail application and mail back to the Town Clerk's office or drop off to one of the drop boxes at Town Hall. 

Early Voting Location and Hours

• Early Voting will take place at the Dunstable Town Hall, 511 Main Street, and is accessible to voters with disabilities. The AutoMark machine is available for all voters who need assistance marking their ballots.

Early voting dates for the State Primary Election are as follows:

IF YOU MISS THE VOTE BY MAIL DEADLINE OR EARLY VOTING, YOU CAN VOTE IN PERSON ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION AT THE DUNSTABLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

Early Voting Policy At Town Hall