Dates to Remember!
Annual Town Meeting – convenes Monday, May 7, 2012 (Per Stow General Bylaw)
7 p.m., Hale Middle School
Annual Town Election – Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (Per Stow General Bylaw)
7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Hale Middle School
February 15 - March 23 Nomination papers available from the Office of the Town Clerk
March 23, 2012 5pm Last Day to Obtain Nomination Papers Town Clerk's office.
March 27, 2012 5pm Nomination papers due to Board of Registrars (Town Clerk’s office) for certification of signatures. (a minimum of 34 certified signatures of registered voters is required to be on the ballot)
April 10, 2012 5pm Nomination papers due to Town Clerk Town Clerk’s office from the Board of Registrars
April 12, 2012 5pm Last Day to Withdraw Nomination Papers or Object (Town Clerk’s office.)
April 17, 2012 8pm Last Day to Register to Vote for TM & Election Town Clerk’s office.
April 30, 2012 7:30pm Candidates’ Night Stow Town Hall
Upcoming Elections & Town Meetings in 2012
May 7th Annual Town Meeting (may last more than 1 night)
May 15th Annual Town Election
September 6th State Primary
November 6th State Election
Voter Registration Deadline for March Presidential Primary is February 15th
Are you registered to vote? Is the information current? Are you sure?
Be sure to complete a voter registration card if you:
- Are new to town and would like to vote in future elections
- Moved to a new address within town
- Changed your name
- Want to change parties or unenroll from a party
April 17th is the last day to register to vote to be eligible to attend the Annual Town Meeting and vote in the Annual Town Election.
The town clerk's office will be open extended hours until 8 pm on the 15th.
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VOTER REGISTRATION
Are you registered to vote? Is the information current? Are you sure?
Be sure to complete a voter registration card if you:
- Are new to town and would like to vote in future elections
- Moved to a new address within town
- Changed your name
- Want to change parties or unenroll from a party
Voter Registration may be Completed at the:
- Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- The Registry of Motor Vehicles
- Via Mail (mail-in forms are available at the Randall Library, the Stow Post Office, or the Stow Town Building)
Approximately 250 households did not return the January 2011 street list/census mailing and the voters will be moved to the Inactive Voters list per Mass. General Laws. Chapter 51, sections 4, 37, & 37A. These voters should either return the voter confirmation card which was sent to them or return the completed census form to the town clerk's office as soon as possible.
Call the Town Clerk's Office if you are unsure of your voter status: 978-897-4514 x1.
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Absentee Ballots
To Vote an Absentee Ballot
You may vote absentee if you:
- will not be in Stow between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day;
- a physical disability prevents the voter from going to the polling place;
- or because of a religious belief.
What a voter must do:
(Please read "Important Reminders" for deadlines and more information)
1. Must fill out the Absentee Ballot Application prior to receiving an absentee ballot.
Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office, contact the Town Clerk to have an application mailed to you, or download an application online.
Click here for information about who qualifies for an absentee ballot.
Download an absentee ballot application for yourself
The application must be received by the Board of Registrars of Voters/Town Clerk by noon the day before the Election.
2. An absentee ballot can be mailed to you OR you may make arrangements to vote in the Town Clerk’s Office once the application is received by the Town Clerk. If you wish to vote in the Town Clerk's Office; please call ahead to make an appointment 978-897-4514 x1.
Important Reminders
1. An absentee voter must fall into one of the allowable categories in order to vote absentee. Illegal absentee voting, including making a false application, is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and additional penalties.
2.The absentee application must be received before NOON the day before the Election.
3. If the voter wishes to have the absentee ballot mailed to him/her - be sure to submit the application as early as possible and allow at least 3 days to receive the ballot in the mail.
4. If the voter wishes to vote the absentee ballot at the town clerk's office - please call ahead to make arrangements to do so. 978-897-4514 x1
5. If mailing their absentee ballot back to the Town Clerk's Office - the voter needs to allow enough time to ensure the ballot is received prior to the close of polls on election day (next election -Tuesday, March 6th.)
Please contact the Town Clerk's office for more information. 978-897-4514 x 1.
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Census/Street List mailing
Stow’s 2012 annual town census/street listing will be mailed to all households in January 2012. Per Mass. General Law and Stow’s General Bylaws, residents are required to fill out the form and return it to the town clerk’s office within 10 days.
Compliance provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veteran's bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits, as well as providing information for selection of jurors and school enrollment.
The Census DOES NOT register you as a voter.
Please include information for all members of the household.
The mailing will also include a dog licensing form and a reminder to properly display the assigned street number on one’s home and business.
The data provided by residents is important and helps town officials compile accurate population figures and voting records. The town also uses the data for long-range planning and school assignments. State and federal funding may be based upon the data provided.
One reason some households do not receive the census form is the household mail is delivered to a post office box and we only have a street address.
Please be sure to provide us with your correct mailing address. Thank you.
Completed forms should be mailed to the Office of the Town Clerk, 380 Great Rd. Stow, MA 01775-2127.
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2012 Dog Licenses are available ~ All dogs should be licensed by January 31, 2012!
The fee to license a New Dog(s) in Stow is $10.00.
If your dog has moved or died please call the Town Clerk's office so we can update our database and avoid mailing you unecessary reminders. 978-897-4514 x1
Dog owners are reminded to license their dogs. All dogs over six months of age must be vaccinated and licensed within 30 days of the old license expiring (Jan 31st ) or if a new dog, within 30 days of residency in Stow. Dog licenses are $10 per dog for households with 1-3 dogs. Households with 4 dogs or more will be issued kennel licenses. Contact the town clerk for fees. Dog licenses are valid from January 1 - December 31, 2012. All of the requirements are part of the Animal Control Bylaw, Article 6. Section 7 of the Stow General Bylaws. Click here for the Animal Control bylaw.
Simply mail a check along with the 2012 request form, current rabies certificate(s), and a self addressed 64 cent stamped envelope to the Town Clerk’s Office, 380 Great Road, Stow. Click here for the dog license request form.
Make the check payable to the Town of Stow, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (64 cents & 88 cents for 3+ tags) and current rabies certificate. The new tag and license will be mailed to the owners.
It is important that an up-to date rabies vaccination certificate be on file with the Town Clerk or presented at the time of licensing. Any applications without the proper fees or a rabies certificates will be returned to the dog owner. The deadline to license dogs is January 31, 2012. Owners will incurr fines after April 15th. The fee to license the dogs after April 15th will be $35.00 per dog.
A rabies clinic will be held on April 5, 2012 at the Stow Highway Barn, 88 South Acton Rd.
Call the Town Clerk's Office if there are any questions, 978-897-4514 x1
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About the Town Clerk
Appointment Authority
Appointed by the Board of Selectmen
Description of Duties:
Seventy-three chapters and four hundred fifty-one statutes
of Massachusetts General Law
direct the Town Clerk's duties.
- Serves as Chief Election Officer, Public Information and Legislative Administrator, and Local Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics (birth, death, and marriage).
- Issues marriage licenses, dog licenses, and business certificates.
- Is a member of the Board of Registrars of Voters and is responsible for carrying out the functions of the Board in preparation, publication, and circulation of voter lists, the annual census and street listing of Stow residents.
- Submits all bylaws passed by Town Meeting to the Attorney general for approval.
*Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk
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