SAUGUS — The Board of Registrars met to discuss the upcoming state primary election.
As the election nears on September 3, the registrars noted that the last day to register to vote is this upcoming Saturday, August 24.
Those interested in registering can do so from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Town Hall. Early voting, too, is coming up, beginning on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where voters from all precincts are able to vote. Early voting will be taking place at the Saugus Public Library, inside of the community room, at 295 Central Street, at the Taylor Street entrance. It will continue to run through August 30.
Town Clerk Ellen Schena said that the town has sent more than 4,000 ballots out, only having received back approximately 10 to 20 percent.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a heavy election,” Schena said.
Schena said that the upcoming state primary election will be a good election to familiarize voters with the voting process, saying that it is a “great election to teach people for November.”
The board then switched gears to the Presidential election briefly. Schena detailed the tabulation process, where it is expected 10 people will be responsible for central tabulation. It is expected to be faster this time around, thanks to a newly-purchased envelope opener which opens 1,700 envelopes an hour.
Additionally, the board voted unanimously to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen, which would request a halving of the two-week window for early voting prior to the Presidential election, adjusting the hours of the week ending October 25, and keeping the second week aligned with the hours of Town Hall.
