When do polls open? (Ward 6, specifically)

[jaybird1981.livejournal.com]

Hi, folks--

Mkay, sorta dumb question, but does anyone know what time the voting location at the Methodist church on College Ave. will open tomorrow morning? I know it has to open by 7:00 AM (and stay open 'til 8:00 PM), but maybe it opens earlier? 

Anyone? Bueller?

Thanks, hugs, & high fives.
--J

Comments

[ron_newman]

7 am to 8 pm, everywhere in the state.

[jaybird1981.livejournal.com]

OK. Thanks!

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

The League of Women Voters said that the polls at the East Somerville Library open at 6:30 AM. I didn't look at Ward 6 though.

[cos]

I'm pretty sure they're wrong. All polls for Massachusetts state & federal elections are always open 7am-8pm statewide, except in small towns where they can close early if they see that every registered voter in the precinct or town has voted.

If that polling place actually does open a half hour early this election, though, I hope someone posts about it.

[ron_newman]

Where did they say this? I don't think any polling place is allowed to open early.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

I looked it up at http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php (linked off the LWV site). The 6:30 start time shows up for other polling places in Somerville too

[cheeseydreams.livejournal.com]

I don't know if that site is at all correct as it has me listed at the wrong polling place (something I verified with the mayor's office).

[ron_newman]

Something else worth checking then: do http://WhereDoIVoteMA.com and http://www.somervillema.gov/mysom_address.cfm give correct information for your address?

[cheeseydreams.livejournal.com]

The first site was correct, but I actually live in Medford (but near the Medford/Somerville line) so the second site wouldn't work for me.

[mderidder.livejournal.com]

This site also shows my location (Public Works Garage) opens at 6:30, but I know in the past they have opened at 7.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

Also it shows my location for 6:30

Your Voting Location
Name: Teele Square Fire Station
Address: 6 Newbury Street
Polling Place Hours: 6:30am- 8pm

[ron_newman]

That site thinks 18 Day Street, Somerville 02144, is not a valid residential address, even though it is a 50-unit apartment building.

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

So I called 311 and the operator's initial response was 8am (boo). When I questioned this and she used her lifeline, the final answer is 7 am, for all polling places in the city. The LOWV site has it wrong, at least according to 311. I'll be writing them a comment (but still probably showing up at or before 6:30 so I can get to work on time).

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

Also according to the state (http://www.mass.gov/),

Polling places will be open from 7:00am - 8:00pm statewide.

[ron_newman]

That's what I thought too -- but Wellesley polls open at 6:30 am. I wonder what other towns are opening early.

6:30 is when the poll workers must arrive to set up.

[ms-info.livejournal.com]

as stated before 7am is opening time. coordinated with city hall via walkie-talkie. no polls open without the go-ahead from the elections dept.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

For those whose polling place is a school, don't forget to bring a little money for some tasty treats. I know the Brown School PTA is having a bake sale, and I suspect others are too.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I am so jealous of everyone who votes at a school. I vote at a nursing home and they never have bake sales :(

[ron_newman]

At Somerville High School they're also offering free flu shots to voters, from 5 to 7 pm.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

What? Bake sales at polling places? Jeez why do I get stuck voting in the firehouse where there arent any goodies :(

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I think the error is because, as ms_info said, the polling place doors open at 6:30 for the poll workers to set up, but no voting can take place until 7:00.

Probably the intern who was compiling the LoWV list contacted the facility manager and they gave the building-opening time they had listed in their book, not realizing that that was for the workers, not the voters.

[ron_newman]

I e-mailed voterinfo@lwv.org to tell them their information is wrong. It would be a good idea for other folks to do the same thing.

Edit: I heard back from voterinfo@lwv.org , who fixed the Somerville information but told me that Wellesley opens at 6:30 am, something that the town's web site confirms. I wonder what other places in Massachusetts are opening their polls early.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I assume the polling place will be opening at 6:30 so that folks can get in line? Because actual voting hours in Massachusetts are mandated by law, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

[ron_newman]

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ says:



"The polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Some polls may open earlier. To find the exact hours you will want to contact your local city/town by clicking here."