Learning Commons | Cardinal Cushing Library

Voting Information: Massachusetts Voting Information

ID Requirements for Registration

Online Registration

For online voter registration, a Massachusetts drivers license or state ID is required.

Mail-in Registration

Section 7 requires you to include your driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number on this application. This information will be verified through the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of Social Security. If the information cannot be verified or you do not provide this information, you must provide identification either with this application or at your polling location when you go to vote. Sufficient identification includes a copy of a current and valid photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address.

ID Requirements for Voting

First-Time Voters

If you are voting for the first time in a federal election in Massachusetts after registering to vote by mail, you may be required to show identification under federal law. It is recommended that you include a copy of your identification with your mail-in voter registration form; if you choose not to do so, you may be asked for identification when you go to your polling place on Election Day. If you are unable to present identification when you check-in, you may cast a provisional ballot and return later with identification. If you do not return with acceptable identification by close of polls, your ballot cannot be counted.

All Other Voters

You may also be asked to show identification if you are on the list of inactive voters or if a poll worker has reasonable cause to request it. If you are not able to present identification in such a situation, you must still be permitted to vote; however, your ballot must be challenged. This means that your name and address, the name and address of the challenger, and the reason for the challenge must be written on your ballot. Your ballot will be cast normally, and will only be re-examined in the case of a recount, court order, or audit.

Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. Examples of acceptable identification include: 

• a driver's license or state-issued ID card, 
• recent utility bill
• rent receipt
• lease
• a copy of a voter registration affidavit
• any other printed identification which contains the voter's name and address.

More information on Identification Requirements.

Where to get an ID

Registry of Motor Vehicles

• RMV Locations

Obtaining a Driver’s License or State ID

• New license
• Transferring from another state
• Obtaining a non-driver photo ID

Registration Information

Deadline

• Voter registration deadlines are determined by the date of the election.
• Guidelines
• Election Calendar

Online registration

To use the online voter registration system you must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver photo identification card issued by the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and a signature on file with RMV.

• Online registration form (in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Khmer)

Mail-in registration

• Printable forms (in multiple languages)

Refer to the box below for information about ID requirements.

Choosing a political party:   

You may choose a political party affiliation when you register, but it is not required.   

Updating registration      

To update registration after a move, name change, or change of political party affiliation, use the voter registration form.

Cancelling registration

Local Election Authorities for each town maintain the voter rolls. To remove someone from a voter roll, contact the local Election Authority.

• Directory of Local Election Authorities.

In Person Voting
 

Polling places and hours

• Use the Polling Place Locator to find your polling place
• For a general election or primary, polls in Massachusetts are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. however, some locations may open earlier. Check the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website for more information.
• Check with the Town Clerk regarding voting hours for municipal referenda. Find Local Elections Offices & Drop-boxes.
• Time off to vote: Employees in certain industries must be given time to vote within the first 2 hours the polls are open. They must request the time in advance, and it does not have to be paid. More information can be found on the Mass.gov webpage "Massachusetts law about time off to vote."

Transportation

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:

• Lyft provides free or discounted rides in some underserved communities
• Political parties sometimes arrange rides for voters. Contact the local office:
  • Republican Party
  • ​Democratic Party

Absentee voting

• Application for Absentee Ballot (English, Spanish, Chinese, Khmer)

Opening/closing dates

• Absentee ballot applications must be received by your local election office by 12 p.m. on the day before the election, unless the day before the election is a holiday or a Sunday, in which case the application must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the last business day before the election..
• If you are voting by mail, you should be sure to submit your application in a timely manner. Please allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you and for you to return the ballot by Election Day. All ballots being mailed from inside the United States must be received by your local election official no later than the close of polls on Election Day.

Military voters and voters who reside outside the U.S.

• Your absentee ballot application should be submitted to your local election official. Your absentee ballot application will be valid until December 31st of this year. Submit a new application each year in which you wish to vote.
• The best application to use is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which is an application designed by the federal government specifically for military and overseas voters.
• Overseas ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by 5pm, 10 days after election day in order to be counted.

Who is eligible to use an absentee ballot?

In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to:

• Absence from the voter's city or town on Election Day; or
• Physical disability; or
• Religious belief.

Voters with disabilities

Massachusetts requires all polling places have accessible voting machines such as AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminals. More information for voters with disabilities is available on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. 

Contact Information for the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Accessible Vote by Mail Coordinator:

• Email: avbm@sec.state.ma.us 
• Phone: 617-727-2828

Disability Law Center--Massachusetts operates the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program.

More information on their Protection & Advocacy Agency Access Authority.

Contact Information for Disability Law Center :

• Email: mail@dlc-ma.org
• Main Office (Boston, MA) Phone: 617-723-8455
• Western Massachusetts Office (Northampton, MA) Phone: 413-584-6337