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Massachusetts · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

City or Town Clerk / Board of Registrars (municipal level) / Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Massachusetts resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day (may pre-register at 16), and not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction; if on parole or probation: CAN vote in Massachusetts
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: RegisterToVoteMA.com (Secretary of State's official portal) - requires Massachusetts driver's license or state ID number; deadline 10 days before election at 11:59 PM
  4. BY MAIL: Download Massachusetts voter registration form from sec.state.ma.us; complete, sign, and mail to your city/town clerk - must be received 10 days before election
  5. IN PERSON: City/Town Clerk's office; Board of Registrars; Massachusetts RMV; MassHealth offices; many government assistance agencies - deadline 10 days before election
  6. AUTOMATIC: Massachusetts automatic voter registration through RMV (effective January 1, 2023) - when you apply for or renew your driver's license at the RMV, your information is automatically sent to the Secretary of State for voter registration unless you opt out (opt-out option available directly with your city/town, not at RMV)
  7. ELECTION-PERIOD IN-PERSON: If recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen after the standard deadline, you may register in person at your local election office until 4:00 PM the day before Election Day
  8. Submit registration by the applicable deadline
  9. Receive voter registration confirmation by mail
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Massachusetts driver's license or state ID number (for online registration)
  • OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • Date of birth and current Massachusetts address
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 10 days before Election Day (online by 11:59 PM; mail received; in-person at clerk) PRE-REGISTRATION: Available at age 16; becomes active at 18 CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch or contact city/town clerk NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION ON ELECTION DAY: Massachusetts does NOT allow registration or changes on Election Day itself; 10-day advance deadline is firm (exception: recently naturalized citizens may register by 4 PM day before) EARLY VOTING: Massachusetts offers early in-person voting for at least 7 days before primaries and general elections; contact city/town clerk for locations and hours VOTE BY MAIL: Massachusetts now offers UNRESTRICTED VOTE BY MAIL for all state primaries and general elections; state sends mail ballot applications to all registered voters 45 days before; must return application by 5 PM 5 business days before election; voted ballots due by 8 PM Election Day ONLINE OPTION: Yes - RegisterToVoteMA.com; absentee ballot requests also online WHERE TO GO: City/Town Clerk or Board of Registrars; RMV (automatic registration); many government agencies; Secretary of State regional offices
Online Option
Yes - RegisterToVoteMA.com; absentee ballot requests also online
Where to Go
City/Town Clerk or Board of Registrars; RMV (automatic registration); many government agencies; Secretary of State regional offices
Massachusetts Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Massachusetts offers UNRESTRICTED VOTE BY MAIL for all state primaries and general elections - all registered voters get a mail ballot application 45 days before the election; no excuse needed.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION through RMV (effective January 1, 2023, VOTES Act): the opt-out option was moved from the RMV to city/town clerks; virtually all eligible RMV applicants are automatically forwarded for voter registration.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Voting rights restored in Massachusetts upon release from incarceration - those on PAROLE or PROBATION CAN vote in Massachusetts; only those CURRENTLY INCARCERATED for a felony cannot vote.
  • PRE-REGISTRATION: Available at age 16; automatically activated when the person turns 18.
  • No photo ID required to vote in most Massachusetts voting situations.
  • Massachusetts uses semi-closed primaries - registered Democrats and Republicans vote in their party's primary; unenrolled ("independent") voters may choose which party's primary to vote in, and then return to unenrolled status after.
  • Polls open 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM; anyone in line at closing must be allowed to vote.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division - sec.state.ma.us/elections | 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) | RegisterToVoteMA.com; City/Town Clerk (varies by municipality)