Primary Election
In a primary election, a voter who is UNENROLLED (not registered in a political party), may vote in a primary. You must specify your party of choice at the polling place. If voting absentee, the party must be designated on the application so that we may mail out the proper ballot. As UNENROLLED, you will remain UNENROLLED after a primary election.
All Elections - Town Elections, State Elections, Primary Elections and Presidential Elections - are conducted at the Houghton Elementary School Gymnasium, 32 Boutelle Road. Polling hours are from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on election day.
You must be registered to vote prior to casting a ballot in any election or to vote at Town Meeting. Please see the Voter Registration page for information on the deadlines for each type of election.
Town Elections are held annually. Our General Bylaws require that the Town elections be held between April 1st and May 31st. We normally hold them on the third Monday in May. Elected positions in the Town of Sterling are: Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, DPW Board, Electric Light Board, Housing Authority, Library Trustees, Planning Board, representatives to the Wachusett Regional School Committee, Constables and the Moderator. Some of these positions are up for election each year.
For more information or directions to the polls, please contact the Town Clerk's office 978 422 8111 ext 1.
Absentee Voting
Voters who are unable to vote on Election Day because of physical disability, religious beliefs or absence from the town may vote by absentee ballot. If you will be absent from Sterling for an extended period of time, you may submit a single application for all elections during that calendar year.
Applications for Absentee Ballots may be obtained from the Town Clerk or the Office of the Secretary of State (see the links at the top of this page.) Applications may be submitted in person or by mail. The voter or a family member may submit an application. All applications are signed under the pains and penalties of perjury.
Deadlines: Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk before noon on the day before an election. A voter who is admitted to a health care facility after noon of the fifth day prior to an election may apply for a ballot up until the close of the polls and may request to have the ballot delivered. Absentee ballots are generally available three weeks before an election.
Permanently Disabled Voter: A voter who is permanently disabled need not submit a request for an Absentee Ballot every election. If such a voter submits a note from a registered physician indicating that he is disabled permanently, the Town Clerk will automatically send an application for an absentee ballot each year for all elections during the year.
| 
