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 Mar 5, 2024 - Massachusetts Presidential Primary

Voter Registration Deadline

  • Party change by
    Sat Feb 24, 2024
  • Postmarked by
    Sat Feb 24, 2024
  • In-Person Request by
    Sat Feb 24, 2024 5:00PM EST
  • Online by
    Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:59PM EST

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail by
Tue Feb 27, 2024

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

Tue Mar 5, 2024 8:00PM EST

Early Voting Available

  • Early Voting
    From Sat Feb 24, 2024 to Fri Mar 1, 2024
  • In-person Absentee Voting

    in-person absentee voting ends at noon on Mar 4th


    From Sat Feb 24, 2024 to Mon Mar 4, 2024

Early Voting (by mail or in-person) is available to all voters. Absentee Voting (by mail or in-person) requires an excuse. Contact your Local Election Office if you have questions.

Tue Sep 3, 2024 - Massachusetts State Primary

Voter Registration Deadline

  • Postmarked by
    Sat Aug 24, 2024
  • In-Person Request by
    Sat Aug 24, 2024 5:00PM EDT
  • Online by
    Sat Aug 24, 2024 11:59PM EDT

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Request to Receive Blank Ballot by Mail by
Mon Aug 26, 2024

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

  • Tue Sep 3, 2024 8:00PM EDT
  • Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
    Fri Sep 6, 2024

Early Voting Available

Early Voting
From Fri Aug 23, 2024 to Sun Sep 1, 2024

General Information

Registration

You can register to vote or update your registration information:

  • online
  • by mail
  • in person at your elections office
  • at some public assistance offices and motor vehicle 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. You can vote early by mail as long as you apply at least four business days before an Election. If you need an application mailed to you, you may contact the Elections Division at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) or elections@sec.state.ma.us

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.

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.

Agencies or courts in Massachusetts have issued opinions that individuals under guardianship do have the right to vote unless the guardianship decree contains an express order otherwise.

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:

  • Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
  • Your Massachusetts Driver's License Number
  • Your Massachusetts ID Number

If you do not have any of these IDs, you can provide a copy of one of the following with your registration application:

  • Current and Valid Photo ID
  • Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
  • Utility Bill
  • Government Check
  • Bank Statement
  • Paycheck that Shows your Current Name and Address

You can alternatively provide one of these documents when you vote to complete your registration.

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:

  • Paycheck that shows your Current Name and Address
  • Current and Valid Photo ID
  • Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Valid Massachusetts Driver's License
  • Government Check
  • Government Issued Document that shows your Current Name and Address
  • Lease
  • Rent Receipt

Voter Materials Transmission Options

Domestic Voter

In-Person

Mail

Fax

Email

Online

Voter Registration
Absentee Ballot Request
Blank Ballot To Voter
Voted-Absentee Ballot Return

State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?

Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines

Massachusetts Federal and State Elections

Tue Mar 5, 2024 - Massachusetts Presidential Primary

Voter Registration Deadline

Not Required

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Received by

UOCAVA voter who misses the absentee ballot request deadline can still submit a FWAB until 8 p.m. on March 5


Tue Feb 27, 2024 5:00PM EST

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

Received by
Tue Mar 5, 2024 8:00PM EST

Tue Sep 3, 2024 - Massachusetts State Primary

Voter Registration Deadline

Not Required

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

Received by

UOCAVA voter who misses the absentee ballot request deadline can still submit a FWAB until 8 p.m. on September 3rd.


Tue Aug 27, 2024 5:00PM EDT

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

Received by
Tue Sep 3, 2024 8:00PM EDT

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

Mail

Fax

Email

Online

Voter Registration
Absentee Ballot Request
Blank Ballot To Voter
Voted-Absentee Ballot Return

Military Voter

In-Person

Mail

Fax

Email

Online

Voter Registration
Absentee Ballot Request
Blank Ballot To Voter
Voted-Absentee Ballot Return

State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?