Town Meeting & Voting Information

2012 DATES
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY: Tuesday, January 10--8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Greenland School
SCHOOL BUDGET: Wednesday, February 08--6:30 p.m., Greenland School
SCHOOL BUDGET (Snow Date): Thursday, February 09--6:30 p.m., Greenland School
TOWN ELECTIONS/VOTING: Tuesday, March 13--8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Greenland School
TOWN MEETING: Saturday, March 17--9:00 a.m., Greenland School
STATE PRIMARY: Tuesday, September 11--8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Greenland School
ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 06--8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Greenland School

Unregistered voters may register and vote during any State, general or Town election. Proof of residence and a valid picture ID are required. Residents are not permitted to register to vote on Town Meeting day.

Greenland is a Town Meeting town.  This means that residents attend Town and School Meetings.  Budgets and warrant articles are discussed and voted on at those meetings.  Prior to the day of the Town Meeting, municipal officials are elected and zoning ordinances are voted on. Together these events constitute Town Meeting.  

Elections/Zoning Amendments: The second Tuesday in March is always the date set aside for voting for municipal officers and any zoning amendments. Voting takes place at Greenland Central School in the general-purpose room; polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The meeting is then recessed to the following Saturday at Greenland Central School for the remainder of the warrant. 

Town and School Meetings: During the Town Meeting, Selectmen, Budget Committee members and the Town Moderator present the warrant articles. School Board members, Budget Committee members and the School Moderator present the warrant articles during the School Meeting. Residents have an opportunity to discuss the articles, which can be amended as long as its primary purpose is not changed. Residents then vote on the article. Depending on the article, it may require a simple majority (greater than 50%) or two-thirds majority (greater than or equal to 66.66%) to pass. Articles can be voted on using a simple hand-count (using the card received during registration) or a secret ballot which has voters selecting an option on a ballot card and placing it in a ballot box. Warrant articles must be available to residents 14 days prior to Town election/voting day.

On arrival at Town and School Meetings, registered voters must check in to ensure they receive a voting card.  This allows voters to be counted during a hand-count vote or to receive a ballot card for a secret ballot vote. The Moderator is in charge of Town Meeting procedures.

The School Meeting is generally scheduled for a Thursday evening or Saturday morning, as determined by the School Board.