Paxton, Massachusetts Public Records

The bureau offers an online portal for accessing statewide criminal records, ensuring that Worcester County residents have access to necessary information for employment, housing, and personal safety decisions.

The Paxton Police Department, headquartered at 697 Pleasant Street, Paxton, MA 01612, is responsible for maintaining public safety and order within the town. The department's records, including incident reports and arrest logs, can be requested by the public through the Records Division at (508) 799-7011.

Paxton voters are served by the Office of the Paxton Town Clerk, Elections Division, located at 697 Pleasant Street, Paxton, MA 01612 (phone: 508-755-6688, website: paxton-ma.gov). The Town Clerk serves as the local election official responsible for voter registration, maintaining voter rolls, conducting local and state elections, and providing election information. Massachusetts residents can register to vote online through the Secretary of State's website at registertovotema.com, by mail, or in person at the Town Clerk's office; the registration deadline is 20 days before any election. Voters must provide a Massachusetts driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Paxton operates under an Open Town Meeting form of government rather than a mayor-council system, so municipal elections focus on Select Board members (5 members, elected to three-year staggered terms), School Committee members, library trustees, and other town boards and committees. Annual Town Election is typically held in May, with the most recent election in May 2024; the next Annual Town Election will be held in May 2026. Town Meeting is held annually in May to vote on the budget and warrant articles; Special Town Meetings may be called as needed. Paxton residents can find their assigned polling location (Paxton Center School, 17 West Street, Paxton, MA 01612, serves most precincts) by visiting sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema or calling the Town Clerk. Massachusetts public election records include voter registration lists (available for political purposes under M.G.L. c. 51, §47), campaign finance reports filed with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance (ocpf.us), candidate nomination papers and financial disclosures, and official election results by precinct (available from the Town Clerk and Secretary of State). In the November 2024 presidential election, Worcester County reported approximately 63% voter turnout with over 500,000 ballots cast across the county; Paxton typically exceeds county turnout averages with 70-75% participation in presidential elections. For the November 3, 2026 election, Paxton and Worcester County voters will decide several key races: Governor of Massachusetts (four-year term), all Massachusetts state legislative seats (State Senate Worcester/Middlesex district and State Representative 2nd Worcester District), all U.S. House seats (Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District for Paxton), and various county offices. No U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts is scheduled for election in 2026. Massachusetts offers early voting for all biennial state elections and presidential elections (typically 10-14 days before Election Day at Town Hall); voters can request absentee/mail-in ballots by submitting an application to the Town Clerk online at sec.state.ma.us/ele, by mail, or in person (applications must be received by the Friday before Election Day for most elections, though in-person requests can be made until noon the day before). Massachusetts has no-excuse absentee voting.