Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Town Clerk’s Office prepared for early voting

FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

According to Town Clerk Connor Degan, 100 residents have cast their ballots since early midterm voting began this past weekend.

“I would say, even on Saturday alone, we had more people vote … than the entire week of early voting for the primary,” Degan noted.

Saturday kicked off the start of early voting for November’s midterm elections. This year’s ballot features key state races, including for U.S. senator, attorney general, secretary of state and governor. It also features nine questions that cover items such as collective bargaining for public counsels, the creation of an all-party primary and a referendum on the state’s existing marijuana laws.

Degan said that the number of questions on this year’s ballot means it is two pages. He encouraged residents who are mailing or handing their votes in early to “endeavor to make sure those [two pages] get back to us.”

The last day for early voting will be Oct. 30 — the Friday before Election Day, Degan noted. He also highlighted that Oct. 24 will be the last opportunity residents have to cast their votes on the weekend.

The Town Clerk’s Office ensures early ballots are secure until Election Day, Degan explained. “We end up just storing them in the vault and we have a day that we basically pre-check them in, and then we seal the ballots … separate from their envelopes.”

Added Degan: “There’s a lot of sequential seals that we verify along the way.” This, he said, helps reduce the possibility of votes being tampered with.

“We try to make as much of this process as open and transparent as possible,” he said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Board of Health discussed ongoing heating and food safety concerns at Golden Pond Assisted Living during its meeting Monday.

The Planning Board on Monday met with representatives for a proposed condo development behind BoMain Pizza Bar & Grill on Main Street to review the plan and provide initial feedback.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on girls soccer junior Natalie Prisco, who has contributed 10 goals and three assists in the team’s first 14 games.

MassDOT plans to shift the I-90 eastbound and westbound exit from I-495 northbound temporarily starting Thursday night.

Town meetings tonight include the Veterans Celebration Committee (6:30), Charter Review Committee (7), Trails Committee (7) and Trustees of the School Fund (8).

Photo of the Day

Turkeys hang out on Chamberlain Street on a recent day.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR