PRESS RELEASE - Annual Town Election Provisional Ballots


May 15, 2023 (Truro, MA) – At the Annual Town Election on May 9, 2023, there were three provisional ballots that were cast at the polls. In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 54, Section 76C, these provisional ballots are not included in the vote tally until “the town clerk determines that the individual is eligible to vote in the precinct in the election under the law of the commonwealth”. As such, the provisional ballots were not included in the final vote tally of the unofficial results that were posted on the town’s website on May 10, 2023.
 
As part of the unofficial results that were posted, these three provisional ballots were indicated at the bottom of the “Unofficial Results”, under the Percentage (%) Turnout line. Provisional ballots are withheld until after the state’s investigation and reporting is complete.

Typically, provisional ballots take up to five days to investigate. The investigation includes the Town Clerk reporting them to the Massachusetts Voter Registration Information System (VRIS) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) portal. After the statewide review and RMV inquiry, the results are given to the Town Clerk, who then can confirm the disposition of the provisional ballots.

This process is not new and provisional ballots are part of the normal election process. In this year particularly, due to the initial tie vote on the Community Sustainability Package (Question #2), there have been some questions regarding the provisional ballot process. Out of the three provisional ballots submitted during this election, two of the provisional ballots were found to not be registered voters, while the third was.

The Town of Truro met all requirements of the state provisional ballot process during the Annual Town Election on May 9, 2023, and will continue to uphold and maintain the trust of the democratic process as set forth by local, state, and federal election law. Should you have any further questions, please contact Town Clerk Kaci Fullerton.

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See official press release below. 
Click here to view the official results: 2023 Annual Town Election
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