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NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – Within a 10-minute span one afternoon last week, three people walked into the office of Northbridge Town Clerk Doreen Cedrone looking for voter information.
One wanted to register to vote, and he did, although Cedrone explained that he had missed the registration deadline of Oct. 17. He is not be eligible to vote in the presidential election Nov. 6.
Another arranged to have two absentee ballots mailed to him and his wife because they would be leaving soon for their winter home in a warmer climate.
A third wanted an absentee ballot and took the time to vote there, with a makeshift voting booth set up for her on the office counter.
Demand has been high for absentee ballots this election season, Cedrone said. By Tuesday, about 600 absentee ballots had been requested, about the same amount sought during the 2008 presidential election.
Absentee ballots can be requested until noon Monday, Nov. 5.
A scan of the absentee ballot requests show the majority were sent to Whitinsville addresses, probably to residents who know they won’t be able to make it to the polls Nov. 6.
Many others were requested by retirees who live elsewhere during the winter and by college students.
In 2008, about 85 percent of those registered in Northbridge voted in the presidential election, Cedrone said.
All residents in the town's four voting precincts cast ballots at Northbridge High School, 427 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville.
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