Important Dates
- Last day to register to vote: Saturday, Oct. 26
- Last day to apply for a mail ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Early in-person voting: Saturday, Oct. 19, to Friday, Nov. 1
- Last day to return mail ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a Glance
- Voter registration: You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. Check your registration status using the state’s voter portal.
- Mail voting: All registered voters may vote by mail without a reason. Certain people, including active-duty military members, should request an absentee ballot.
- Early voting: All registered voters may vote in person or by mail before Election Day.
- Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Inactive and some first-time voters may be asked to show identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or a recent utility bill.
Recent Changes to Voting in Massachusetts
Recent laws have changed how you vote in the 2024 elections:
- A 2022 law established no-excuse mail voting, extended the voter registration window, and expanded early voting with weekend hours.
- The law mandates prepaid postage for vote-by-mail applications and ballots, among other changes.
How to Register to Vote
Register to vote for the general election through Saturday, Oct. 26:
- Online: If you have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID, you can register through the state’s voter registration system. Make sure to register online by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
- By mail: Download, print, and fill out a mail-in registration form. Or call your local election office or the state elections division at 800-462-8683 to request one be sent to you. Mail forms must be postmarked by Saturday, Oct. 26.
- In person: Go to your local election office, the secretary of the commonwealth’s elections division office, or a regional office during business hours to register in person.
Massachusetts residents applying or renewing licenses at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, applying for benefits with MassHealth, or applying for health insurance with Commonwealth Health Connector are automatically registered to vote.
Registering to Vote on Election Day
Massachusetts does not offer same-day voter registration.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
Use the state’s voter portal to check your registration status.
How to Request a Mail Ballot
All registered voters in Massachusetts can vote by mail without a reason. In September, all voters who haven’t applied for a mail ballot will be sent a pre-addressed, postage-paid vote-by-mail application. Applications must be received by your local election office by Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m.
You can request a mail ballot:
- Online: Use the state’s online mail ballot application system. Verify your voter registration status before requesting a ballot.
- By email/fax: Download a mail ballot application, and either email or fax the completed form to your local election office. Be sure to sign it, or include a photocopy of your signature.
- By mail: Download, print, and complete the mail ballot application or fill out the pre-addressed form you receive. It’s recommended that you apply at least two weeks before Election Day in case of postal delays.
- In person: Hand-deliver your completed application to your local election office.
If you’re unable to print the application, you can submit a handwritten and signed request to your local election office to apply.
Returning a Mail Ballot
You can return your ballot in the following ways:
- By mail: Send your completed ballot to your local election office. It must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m.
- In person: Drop off your ballot at your local election office, an early voting site, or a secure ballot drop box. It must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Track the status of your ballot using the state’s Track My Ballot tool.
Voting Absentee
If you’re living overseas, are an active-duty military member, are incarcerated without a felony conviction, or are hospitalized within seven days of the election, you should request an absentee ballot instead of a mail ballot. More information can be found on the secretary of the commonwealth’s website.
Voting in Person Before Election Day
All registered voters can vote in person before Election Day. Early voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Nov. 1. Visit your local election office or other early voting sites, which will be listed on the secretary of the commonwealth’s website a week before early voting begins. Hours and dates may vary by location.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re in line before 8 p.m., you’ll still be allowed to vote. Find your polling place using the state’s voter portal.
Sample ballots will be available through the voter portal.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
If you’re a first-time Massachusetts voter who registered by mail, or if you’re an inactive voter who didn’t respond to your city or town census, you may be asked to show ID, such as a driver’s license or a recent utility bill. Otherwise, ID is not required to vote.
Voting with a Disability
Each polling place offers accessible parking, ramps, and at least one accessible voting machine. Voters who need help filling out their ballot can get assistance from an election official or a person of their choice, as long as that person is not an employer or union official.
More information on accessibility is available on the secretary of the commonwealth’s website, or you can call the state’s election division at 800-462-8683 or 617-727-2828.
Voting from a Nursing Home or Long-term Care Facility
If a long-term care facility is designated for supervised absentee voting, residents must complete absentee ballots in their facility with assistance from a voting registrar. If a facility is not designated, residents can choose to vote by mail or in person.
Residents of long-term care facilities can register to vote in the county where their facility is located or remain registered in the county of their last home, even if they no longer own that home.
