If you were driving through downtown Franklin on July 17 between 4 and 6 PM, you  saw a number of folks at Trestle View Park holding signs reminding you that absentee ballots are available to anyone who has concerns about going to the polls during COVID-19. Open Democracy Action (ODA) and Franklin’s Three Rivers Coalition joined together to raise awareness of and distribute application forms for absentee ballots, including the form required for the City of Franklin election on October 10.

Thanks to non-partisan groups like ODA, Three Rivers Coalition, and many others, including the Select Committee on 2020 Emergency Election Support which advised the Secretary of State’s office on ways to make voting safer, a checkbox has been added to the application for absentee ballot with COVID-19 as a reason you are requesting to vote from home.  Additionally, only one form is needed for both the September 8 primary and the November 3 general election. (If you have already sent in one of the older forms where you had to check “I am disabled,” you do not have to reapply with the new form.)

If your city or town holds a local election, you will need to request a form from your city or town clerk. The actual ballots will be mailed to you several weeks prior to election date. Please fill out all the forms immediately and mail them right back.  Delay could cause your ballot to not be received by Election Day – the absolute deadline!

We were pleased with the positive responses we received from passers-by in the form of happy horn honks and thumbs-ups. We are non-partisan groups whose missions are to make people aware of issues that affect their lives and those for whom they care. Three Rivers will be holding other events, so be watching for those.  Voting during COVID or any other time should have options for those who have concerns about physically going to the polls. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent voter, you are now able to vote from home, thanks to non-partisan groups who are working to improve and secure everyone’s right to vote.
 
If you, an elderly or frail family member, neighbor, or friend have health issues that could put them in danger in a public space, please reach out to them and let them know they have the option of voting from home. You can direct them to the Secretary of State’s website, SOS.NH.gov where they can download the application form for an absentee ballot, or they should call their city or town clerk’s office.