Winchester Town Clerk's Office Mails Annual Census, Again

From the Town of Winchester:

Annual census forms were mailed to Winchester residents on Jan. 8. All households must respond to the mailing to keep their voting status active. This being a busy election year, the town clerk’s office is actively contacting those households who have not yet returned their 2016 census forms. State law requires that every community conduct a census during the month of January, and if we do not hear from you, state law mandates that all unanswered census households will be made inactive effective May 31.

In accordance with state law, the census is conducted annually in every city and town in Massachusetts. The information gathered is used to maintain a current voting list and to provide population and other information to various town departments. Compliance with this State requirement provides proof of residence, protects voting rights, veteran’s bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits as well as providing information for the selection of jurors.

The census form doesn’t register you to vote. Online voter registration is available. This new opportunity is fast and convenient. The town clerk’s office will send you a registration confirmation letter in the mail to confirm that your online application was accurately received and processed. We will inform you of your polling location.

The town clerk’s office just mailed out the second mailing to all households who have not returned the original mailing. We are asking for your help to keep our voter lists as accurate as possible by returning the second mailing on Thursday, May 5. Even if you are not a registered voter, you receive a census each year, and to keep the population data accurate, we need to hear from you, too. Residents must review the census form, make corrections if necessary, sign and return in the enclosed envelope Thursday, May 5.

September 8 and Nov. 8, the commonwealth will conduct both a state primary as well as the state general election. To keep your name on the active voting list and to avoid wait time at the polls, residents are encouraged to do their part. We thank you in advance for your continued support. Prompt return of the census forms from each of Winchester’s 1200+ outstanding households will help to keep costs down by eliminating followup telephone calls.

Residents may contact the office of the town clerk via (781) 721-7130 for further information.