How to vote in my state
Massachusetts
Last updated February 2, 2023
Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines
Helpful Resources
Register
to vote
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What's on your
ballot
By Mail and Absentee Voting
Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required. To request your Vote by Mail ballot, submit a signed application to your local election office.
In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead. You can find more information about absentee ballot eligibility under “Absentee Ballots,” below.
Applying for your Ballot
If you wish to vote by mail, you will first need to submit an application for your ballot.
You may submit your Vote by Mail application to your local election office:
- Online
- By mail
- By email
- By fax
If you are a registered voter, you may submit your Vote by Mail application online, through Massachusetts’ Mail-in Ballot Application System.
Early Voting
You can still vote in person if you’ve applied to vote by mail. You can vote at an early voting location or your polling place on Election Day.
You can’t vote in person if your ballot has been accepted by your local election office. You can’t take your ballot back or vote again.
What to Expect
on Election Day
On Election Day, polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM EST.
Voter ID Requirements
For the following reasons you might be asked for a form of identification:
- You are voting for the first time in Massachusetts in a federal election,
- You are an inactive voter,
- You are casting a provisional or challenged ballot,
- The poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request identification.
Acceptable IDs have to include your name and address you’re registered to vote at. This includes a driver’s license, state ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, or any other printed ID that includes your name and address.
Click here for more information on voter ID in Massachusetts
Language Access
Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires certain jurisdictions to provide in-language voting materials in areas with a significant number of limited English proficient voters.
Areas in Massachusetts covered by Section 203 (AANHPI Languages):
Section 208
Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act states that, “Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of the employer or office or agent of the voter’s union.”
It is your right to bring your own interpreter to the polls, if you so choose.
Have questions or need help voting?
Call 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).
Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. Click here for more information.
