Voting in Wayland

Motor-Voter Law

On January 2, 1995, the National Voter Registration Act, and the state law implementing the federal act, Chapter 475 of the Acts of 1994 took effect in Massachusetts.  Together, these laws made many changes in the election laws, and greatly expanded the opportunity to register to vote.  As a result, the number of people registering to vote has increased greatly.

In an effort to implement these new laws, the Secretary of State established a computerized central voter registry that connects the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of State, and all cities and towns in Massachusetts.  Information regarding voter registration is transmitted electronically from the Registry of Motor Vehicles to all cities and towns.

Help American Vote Act

Pursuant to a new federal law, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), you must provide a copy of your identification at the time you are voting whether you vote by absentee ballot or in person at the polls if you are voting for the first time in a federal election since registering by mail in 2003 and 2004.  Acceptable identification includes a driver's license, a current and valid photo identification (such as those issued by the Registry and other agencies), current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document showing your name and address.

Where to Register

You may register to vote online using Massachusetts' Online Voter Registration System.

Voter registration by mail is permitted.  Mail-in forms are available at the Wayland Public Library, Wayland High School, Wayland Town Building Lobby, and the Town Clerk's Office.

Voters may also register to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and at certain state agencies: Welfare, WIC, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Department of Mental Health, Department of Mental Retardation, Military Recruitment offices, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and the Secretary of State's Office.

When to Register

The last day to register to vote for ALL ELECTIONS is 10 days before the election.

Where to Vote

Precincts 1 and 4 vote at the Wayland Town Building Gymnasium.  Precincts 2 and 3 vote at the Wayland Middle School Gymnasium.  Find your Voting Precinct here.

On election days the polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.  

When to Vote

The Annual Town Election and the Annual Town Meeting are usually held on a day in April ordered by the Board of Selectmen.  The election of town officers and the determination of all matters placed on the official ballot at such election shall take place within seven days, but no less than two days, before the annual town meeting.

State primaries are held on the seventh Tuesday prior to the state election in even-numbered years.

State elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years every two years.

The Presidential Primary is held on a Tuesday in the month of March prior to the general election in even-numbered years every four years.

The general election is held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years every four years.

Voting in a Primary

"Unenrolled" voters who vote in any primary REMAIN UNENROLLED.  The voter does not become enrolled in the political party of the ballot chosen.

Permanently Disabled Voters

If such a voter submits a note from a registered physician indicating that he/she is disabled permanently, the Town Clerk will automatically send an application for an absentee ballot each year for all elections during the year.

Running for Public Office

Any person who is a Wayland resident and a registered voter may obtain nomination papers for the Annual Town Election ballot from the Town Clerk's Office.  Nomination papers are available each January.  Candidates running for town wide office require the signatures of 50 voters.