2020 ELECTIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
2020 Dates to Remember
- August 12: Deadline to register for the Primary Election (either in person, online, or mail-in registration postmarked)
- August 26: Deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Primary Election
- September 1: Primary Election | Deadline to return completed absentee ballot for the Primary Election
- October 14: Deadline to register for the General Election
- October 28: Deadline to request and absentee ballot for the General Election
- November 3: General Election | Deadline to return completed absentee ballot for the Primary Election
Useful Links
Download the Massachusetts Voter Registration Form
Download the Absentee Ballot Application
CWA Endorsed Candidate for Senate: Ed Markey
Voter Registration Info
Massachusetts Voter Registration Deadlines
- In Person: 20 days before Election Day.
- By Mail: Postmarked 20 days before Election Day. Received 20 days before Election Day.
- Online: 20 days before Election Day
Rules
To register to vote in Massachusetts you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a resident of Massachusetts
- be at least 16-years-old (16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote, but cannot vote until they are 18)
How to Register
- Online
- You can register online or update your registration info here
- To register you will need:
- Your valid Massachusetts driver’s license, learner’s permit or State ID or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- The ZIP Code currently on record with the RMV
- Updated information could include:
- Name change
- Address change
- Party enrollment
- By Mail
- Visit the Secretary of Massachusetts website to download a Voter Registration Form. Once you have completed the form, mail it to the your city or town election office.
Fill it out and return by mail to your local Board of Elections office (the form provides the mailing address for your local BOE).
- Visit the Secretary of Massachusetts website to download a Voter Registration Form. Once you have completed the form, mail it to the your city or town election office.
- In Person
- You can register to vote at any local election office, city hall, or library. You can also register when can register while applying or renewing a driver’s license, applying for food stamps, welfare benefits, or the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
Start Your Voter Registration Here
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How to Vote
You have three options for voting in the Primary and General Elections:
1. In Person - Early
In-person early voting for the Primary Election will be held August 22-28.
In-person early voting for the General Election will be held October 17-30.
2. In Person - Election Day
Tuesday, November 3
Click here to find your polling place.
3. Vote By Mail
Voting by mail is available to all voters for all elections in 2020. You do not need an excuse to vote by mail this year.
To vote by mail, all you need to do is:
- Complete a Vote by Mail Application
- Deliver your application to your local election office
- Vote when your ballot arrives
- Return your ballot
Absentee ballots must be requested in writing at least 4 business days before Election Day. Applications are available for download here, but any written request is acceptable if it has your signature on it, or the signature of a member of your family who has making the request on your behalf.
Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you are emailing your application, you may either scan or take a photo of your signed application and email it to your local election office, or you may sign your application using a mouse, finger, or stylus and email the completed and signed attachment. Typed signatures are not acceptable.
If you would like an absentee ballot application mailed to you, you may call 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) or email [email protected].
Deadlines:
- August 26: Deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Primary Election
- September 1: Ballot for the Primary Election must be received by your local election office (by 8pm)
- October 28: Deadline to request and absentee ballot for the General Election
- November 3: Ballot for the General Election must be received by your local election office (by 8pm)
Apply early, in order to have enough time to return your ballot, and fill it out and return it as soon as possible!