The following is an important message from the Lyme Town Clerk for residents voting by absentee ballot in the August 11 primaries:
The State of Connecticut has informed us there was a delay in the mailing of the absentee ballots from the mail house in Rhode Island. Town Clerks have been assured that the ballots were mailed beginning Monday, July 27, so you should be receiving yours soon if you sent in an application for one.
For many Lyme residents, this may be the first time voting by absentee ballot. Based on the information that Town Clerks received from the state, we understand there will be three pieces inside the absentee-ballot packet:
- the ballot;
- an inner envelope (which you must sign and date); and
- a blank outer envelope (for returning the above materials).
Please be aware that we have been informed by the State that the instructions included in the absentee-ballot packet may incorrectly refer to a serially numbered envelope. This is, in essence, a typo – as neither the inner nor outer envelope has a serial number.
Instructions for Completing Your Absentee Ballot
Based on the information we have received, these are the correct instructions to follow:
- After filling out your ballot, insert the ballot in the inner envelope.
- Sign and date the inner envelope. The most important thing to remember to do is to sign and date the inner envelope where indicated. Failure to do so will result in the ballot being rejected.
- After signing and dating the inner envelope, insert it inside the larger outer envelope (the blank envelope).
- Your ballot is now ready to be returned.
Instructions for Returning Your Absentee Ballot
To return your absentee ballot:
- You may walk into Lyme Town Hall and hand it to the Town Clerk.
- You may mail it using the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots returned by mail must be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 11.
- You may insert it in the Official Ballot Drop Box located on the edge of the sidewalk at Lyme Town Hall. (See the photo.)
If at all possible, residents are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to return a completed ballot via the Official Ballot Drop Box rather than mailing it via the U. S. Postal Service. There are only a few days left until the primary, and this will ensure that the ballot is in Town Hall when it needs to be, in order to be counted.
Do not return your ballot via the mail slot in the door of Lyme Town Hall.
Please note that the Official Ballot Drop Box is for completed ballots only. No other material should be deposited in the drop box. You should only deposit your ballot in the Town of Lyme drop box if you are a resident of Lyme. Do not drop your ballot in the drop box of any other town.
Voters who have questions on absentee voting are welcome to contact the Lyme Town Clerk at 860-434-7733 during regular business hours.
In-Person Voting
For voters who do not plan to vote by absentee ballot and prefer to vote in person, the polls at Town Hall will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.
