Voting and More!
Dear Hawley Friends and Neighbors–Ellie and I (Tinky) have a lot of news for you today. I’m rushing a bit to get it out by 4 p.m. If you spot any mistakes, please let me know…..
A Warrant
The warrant is now available for our Special Town Meeting on Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m. You may view it here. We hope to get a good turnout; we’ll try to get through the meeting as expeditiously as possible while still answering any questions townspeople may have. Please join us if you can.
Notes from Your Town Clerk
Hello Hawleyites!
With the 2026 election season right around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone of a few dates and deadlines.
Register to Vote or Check your Status
Have you moved, changed your name, or didn’t vote in the last state election? Check online to see if you’re registered at
www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx
The last day to register to vote in the Primary is Saturday, August 22. (You can vote early that day too!)
Turning 18 Before the Election?
Did you know that teens can actually register to vote at 16? While you’re not eligible to cast a vote until 18, it’s one less step to worry about after your 18th birthday. Pre-register now so that you will be ready to vote this year **! You can do this online or by stopping by Town Office for a registration form.
**Birthdate must be on/before the registration deadline.
Fun Fact:
In Massachusetts only 61% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote
compared to 79% of voters age 45 and up.
It’s your future & you have the power to shape it!
Voters have Three Ways to Vote: By Mail, Early, or In-Person
- Vote by Mail (8/25 Application Deadline)
The State mailed Vote-by-mail application postcards to all registered Hawley voters, and the first ballots have been sent out! Misplaced yours? Just drop me a signed note with your chosen party by August 25 to receive your mail-in ballot for the Primary Election. Ballots MUST be returned by 8:00 PM on September 1 to be counted. You can send it back by mail, drop it off in person, or put it in the “Elections” drop-box by the ramp at Town Office.
- Early Voting (8/22, 8/25, and 28/27)
Town Offices will be open for Early Voting on Saturday, August 22 from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; on Tuesday, August 25, from noon to 4 p.m.; and on Thursday, August 26, from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Primaries (9/1)
The State primary will be September 1, with open polling hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p m. at the Town Office. Remember, if you are an Unenrolled/Independent voter, you will need to pick one party (R/D) to vote in the primaries.
State Election (11/3)
Mark your calendars! The 2026 mid-term election will be held on November 3.
— Ellie (Elizabeth Van Iderstine, Town Clerk)
Meanwhile…. This Weekend and Next
A reminder of all the events coming up! They are pretty much all free.
This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Hilltown History Trail will arrive in Hawley and beyond. The spots in town on the trail are the Old Town Common and the Meeting House, but we hope people will visit several different towns to see museums and artefacts.
NEXT Saturday, August 8, from noon to 2 p.m. craftswoman extraordinaire Mary Ann Adams will be at the Tyler Memorial Library in Charlemont helping adults and kids make felted bead necklaces.
Next Sunday is Hawley Day, a special one for the nation’s 250th birthday. See this listing for details. OF COURSE you’ll get another reminder next week.
That’s it for this week (or so I hope). See you around town….
Warmly,
Tinky Weisblat
Gal Friday
Town of Hawley
413-339-5518
