Board of Registrars
The Board of Registrars in most towns is a four-member board that includes the Town Clerk. In these towns, three registrars are appointed, while the clerk holds the fourth seat on the board. The clerk holds this seat whether they are elected or appointed, and also acts as clerk to the board. With the exception of an appointed clerk, all registrars must be registered voters of the city or town in which they serve. A registrar’s term begins on April 1. They serve overlapping terms, with one term expiring each year. In towns that have three appointed registrars (not including the clerk), registrars serve 3-year terms.
Under the General Laws, registrars have a number of responsibilities. Most duties of the registrars pertain to voter registration, street listings, signature certification, and certain post-election duties. Under state law, registrars are responsible for:
Voter Registration: Registering voters, Maintaining the voter list by updating names, addresses, and party enrollment, making corrections, and removing voters who are deceased or have moved, Rejecting incomplete voter registration forms, Sending acknowledgement and rejection notices to voters, Considering objections to voter registrations and voter qualifications, Issuing confidential voter certificates
Annual Street Listing: Compiling the annual street listing, Sending confirmation notices to inactive voters
Nomination Papers & Petitions: Accepting nomination papers from candidates and reviewing the candidate information on each sheet, Certifying voter names on nomination papers and petitions, Certifying candidate voter registration and enrollment for candidates who reside in their city or town, Considering objections to nomination papers and ballot question petitions for local elections
Election Officers: Requesting lists of potential poll workers from party committees, reviewing said lists, and making recommendations to the appointing authority, Appointing election officers, if the appointing authority fails to do so
Voting: Receiving and reviewing applications for early and absentee ballots, Investigating the qualifications of specially qualified voters, With other election officers, overseeing and administering in-person early voting, Preparing and maintaining early voting lists, Designating alternative or additional early voting sites, if necessary, Posting notice of early voting dates, times, and locations, Requesting in-person early voting for local elections, at their discretion, Coordinating with the select board or city council to detail police officers or constables to polling places and (in their discretion) early voting sites, Administering supervised absentee voting at designated healthcare facilities
Tabulation: Counting Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots (FWABs) and ballots received from voters outside the United States after Election Day, Administering post-election audits and reporting results of the audit to the Secretary, Overseeing and judging recounts.