Information on Voting by Absentee Ballot in the Aug. 11 Primaries

by | Jul 2, 2020 | Announcements, Voting & Elections

The following is important information for Lyme residents who wish to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming August 11 Presidential Preference Primary (Democratic & Republican) and State Primary (Republican):

  • MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE. If you aren’t sure, go here.  If you need to register, contact Lyme’s Registrars of Voters at registrar@townlyme.org or go here.
  • WATCH YOUR MAILBOX FOR AN APPLICATION. Because of the pandemic, all active voters registered as either Democrat or Republican in Connecticut will be able to vote by absentee ballot in the August 11 primaries. The Secretary of the State is mailing an application to all eligible voters. You must fill out and return this application in order to receive an absentee ballot.
  • FILL THE APPLICATION OUT, MAIL IT IN, WAIT FOR YOUR BALLOT. Fill out the ballot application according to the instructions. Return the ballot application to the Lyme Town Clerk in the postage-prepaid envelope provided. Your absentee ballot will arrive by mail from the Secretary of the State (not the Lyme Town Clerk) about three weeks before the August 11 primaries.
  • COMPLETE THE BALLOT, COMPLETE THE INNER ENVELOPE, SEAL BOTH INSIDE THE OUTER ENVELOPE. Your ballot package will have three items: a ballot, an inner envelope and an outer envelope.
    • Complete your ballot by completely filling in the oval next to your choice using a black pen.
    • Seal, sign and date the inner envelope. Insert your completed ballot into the inner envelope provided. Seal the envelope. Sign and date the outside of the inner envelope where indicated.
    • Place the inner envelope into the larger postage-prepaid outer envelope and seal the outer envelope.
  • RETURN BALLOT TO THE LYME TOWN CLERK. Mail the completed ballot via the postage-paid outer envelope to the Town Clerk. It must be received by the Town Clerk no later than 8:00 PM ON AUGUST 11 in order to be counted. If you choose to return your absentee ballot in person, please be aware of these rules and deadlines:
    • The ballot must be sealed inside the inner and outer envelopes just as if you were returning it by mail.
    • If you return the absentee ballot in person PRIOR TO AUGUST 11, you must hand it to the Town Clerk no later than 4:00 PM ON AUGUST 10.
    • If you return the absentee ballot in person ON AUGUST 11, you must place it in the drop box at Town Hall no later than 8:00 PM ON AUGUST 11.