Massachusetts Voting Requirements & Information
U.S. Vote Foundation’s Massachusetts Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of Massachusetts voting rules and options. It focuses on Massachusetts-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about Massachusetts voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-Massachusetts voting tools. It's an all-in-one Massachusetts voting resource.
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Massachusetts Federal and State Elections
Tue Feb 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 1st Middlesex Senate District Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked by
Sat Jan 24, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Sat Jan 24, 2026 5:00PM - Online by
Sat Jan 24, 2026 11:59PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received byTue Jan 27, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Received byTue Feb 3, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
None on RecordTue Mar 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 1st Middlesex Senate District Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 5:00PM - Online by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 11:59PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received byTue Feb 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Received byTue Mar 3, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
None on RecordTue Mar 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 5th Essex Representative District Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 5:00PM - Online by
Sat Feb 21, 2026 11:59PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received byTue Feb 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Received byTue Mar 3, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
None on RecordTue Mar 31, 2026 - Massachusetts 5th Essex Representative District Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Postmarked by
Sat Mar 21, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Sat Mar 21, 2026 5:00PM - Online by
Sat Mar 21, 2026 11:59PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received byTue Mar 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Received byTue Mar 31, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
None on RecordTue Sep 1, 2026 - Massachusetts Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- Last Date to Change Party Affiliation by
Sat Aug 22, 2026 - Postmarked by
Sat Aug 22, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Sat Aug 22, 2026 5:00PM - Online by
Sat Aug 22, 2026 11:59PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail Received byTue Aug 25, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Received byTue Sep 1, 2026 8:00PM
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Sat Aug 22, 2026 to Fri Aug 28, 2026
General Information
Registration
You can register to vote or update your registration information:
- online
- by mail
- at your local town clerk, election commission, and board of registrars
- at the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Elections Division
- at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's regional offices
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 7am to 8pm.
Find my polling place
Early Voting
Voters are able to vote early for presidential preference primary elections and general elections. The exact place of early voting and times will vary by location - contact your election office to inquire about early voting options in your area.
Absentee Voting
You may vote by absentee ballot if you will be away from your town/city on Election Day. Your family member is authorized to return your ballot for you if you are unable to do so. You may also use an absentee ballot if you have a disability or religion that keeps you from your polling location on Election Day.
Early Voting by Mail
Any registered voter may request a ballot and vote early by mail in Massachusetts. All voters will receive a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid vote by mail application. You can vote early by mail as long as you apply by 5:00 pm on the 5th business day prior to the election.
Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to vote in Massachusetts if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Are a resident of Massachusetts
- Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
You are NOT eligible to vote in Massachusetts if:
- You are in prison or jail for a felony conviction.
- A judge has specifically ruled that you are not able to vote.
Restorative Requirements
- If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.
You may preregister to vote in Massachusetts
- At the age 16
If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in Massachusetts if:
- You reside in Massachusetts but are attending college in another state
- You reside in another state but attend college in Massachusetts
Identification Requirements
Voter Registration
To register to vote in Massachusetts you should provide one of the following:
Your Massachusetts Driver's License Number
Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
Voting In-Person
If you are registered to vote in Massachusetts, in certain cases you may be required to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include:
Letter from a school dormitory or housing office
Current and Valid Photo ID
Utility Bill
Valid Massachusetts Driver's License
Lease
Rent Receipt
State ID card
Voter registration affidavit
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Domestic Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?
State Elections Website
Can I View my Sample Ballot?
Where is my Polling Place?
Where is my Ballot?
Can I Register to Vote Online?
Overseas / Military Voter Information
Where is my Ballot Drop Box?
Where are my Early Voting Locations?
Has my Ballot Been Counted?
State Voter Registration FAQ
Where is my Overseas or Military Ballot?
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Massachusetts Federal and State Elections
Tue Feb 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 1st Middlesex Senate District Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Not RequiredBallot request serves as voter registration application.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byTue Jan 27, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Post Received by
Tue Feb 3, 2026 - Email, Online or Fax by
Tue Feb 3, 2026 8:00PM
Tue Mar 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 1st Middlesex Senate District Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Not RequiredBallot request serves as voter registration application.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byTue Feb 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Email, Online or Fax by
Tue Mar 3, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Mar 13, 2026 5:00PM
Tue Mar 3, 2026 - Massachusetts 5th Essex Representative District Special Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Not RequiredBallot request serves as voter registration application.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byTue Feb 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Post Received by
Tue Mar 3, 2026 - Email, Online or Fax by
Tue Mar 3, 2026 8:00PM
Tue Mar 31, 2026 - Massachusetts 5th Essex Representative District Special General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Not RequiredBallot request serves as voter registration application.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byTue Mar 24, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Email, Online or Fax by
Tue Mar 31, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Apr 10, 2026 5:00PM
Tue Sep 1, 2026 - Massachusetts Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Not RequiredBallot request serves as voter registration application.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byTue Aug 25, 2026 5:00PM
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
- Email, Online or Fax by
Tue Sep 1, 2026 8:00PM - Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Fri Sep 11, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
Overseas Voters
U.S. citizens living abroad have the right to vote as absentee voters, provided they are eligible to vote in their state. If you are living outside of the U.S. permanently, indefinitely, or temporarily, your voting rights stay with you, even if you never voted when you lived in the U.S. To vote from overseas:
- Complete and send an overseas voter registration/ballot request form to your election office in the U.S. This is one specific form that will register you as an overseas voter and request your absentee ballot – simultaneously.
Many states allow children who were born overseas, but never lived in the U.S., to use their U.S. parents’ last residence address to register.
Military Voters
Service members and their eligible family members living outside their voting jurisdiction (within or outside the U.S.) are able to vote as absentee voters.
- If you are a service member, or an eligible family member, there is a single form to file for both voter registration and ballot request. It is often called the “Federal Post Card Application” or the FPCA form. This form must be re-filed with your election office each time you change location.
To vote as a service member or eligible family member:
- Complete and send a voter registration/ballot request form “FPCA” to your election office in the U.S. It is the same form in all states.
Identification Requirements
Voting Overseas
U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register/request your ballot.
Voting Military
Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form ("FPCA"). Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register/request your ballot.
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Overseas Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
Military Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |