Voting in Massachusetts

Change My State

State Primary Election

09/03/2024
State Primary Election Day
08/24/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked, in-person, online)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

08/26/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
09/03/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Early Voting Dates

08/23/2024
Early Voting Begins
09/01/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a state primary. Click here for additional info, including party requirements and what's on the ballot.

Polling place hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Massachusetts

Learn about all the options to vote in Massachusetts to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Massachusetts Board of Elections Phone Number: (617) 727-2828

Massachusetts Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Massachusetts

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Massachusetts Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on Massachussetts’ elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at 1-800-392-6090.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. If this is your first time voting, you must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in Massachussetts’ elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

You can also find Massachusetts’ elections office here and contact them by phone at 1-800-392-6090.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Massachusetts.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

08/26/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
09/03/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

How Vote By Mail Works in Massachusetts

This is a two step process.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is 7 days before Election Day.

  •  You may request your ballot here.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local elections office or designated dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Or mail your ballot. Ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted. We recommend mailing your ballot at least two weeks before as the post office is not always reliable. The best intentions will not matter if your ballot is received after Election Day - your ballot will not count.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After completing your ballot, put it into the return envelope provided by the state. Sign the affidavit provided with the return envelope.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

If you are voting with an absentee ballot, a family member or anyone who lives with you may return your ballot. If you are using a no-excuse early vote by mail ballot, only you may return your ballot.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you would like to vote in person, return your unused absentee ballot to your polling site and request an in person ballot on Election Day.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Massachusetts does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.

Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local elections office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. Your new ballot must be returned by 8:00 pm on Election Day.

You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick so you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote is counted. will be sent a new absentee ballot if sufficient time allows, and established absentee deadlines will apply.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

You do NOT need to show ID to vote in Massachusetts, except for some first-time voters. All valid forms of ID must show name and address. Valid forms of identification include;

  • Copy of photo ID
  • A Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card
  • A utility bill
  • rent receipt
  • lease
  • copy of voter registration affidavit
  • Any other official document bearing the voter’s name and address

Voter ID in Massachusetts

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Statewide Primaries

Primary Type (D): Mixed
Primary Type (R): Mixed

If you have previously affiliated with a political party you can only vote in that party’s primary. However, if you are not affiliated with a party you can request a ballot from any party.

The Massachusetts primary election includes the following races:
– U.S. senator
– U.S. representatives
– State executive officials
– State legislators
– Municipal government seats

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

08/23/2024
Voting Begins
09/01/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in Massachusetts

Early voting dates and times depend on the type of election taking place. Contact your local elections office for more information on when and where you can early vote.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Massachusetts, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can not vote in the Massachusetts primaries if you are 17 by the next election.