Massachusetts General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:03 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:23 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Massachusetts offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Massachusetts by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Massachusetts allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Massachusetts offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 17 to Oct 30. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your mail-in ballot online on or before Tuesday, Oct. 27 by 5 p.m. EDT.
- Visit the Massachusetts website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Massachusetts's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 24.
- Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 24.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Massachusetts’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Contact the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
Can I register to vote online?
- Massachusetts offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Massachusetts, you need ONE of the following ID numbers issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV): driver's license, learner's permit, or state ID. If you don’t have a RMV-issued ID, you can still register by mail or in person.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Massachusetts's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, Massachusetts offers early voting. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Massachusetts.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Massachusetts’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You may be asked to show identification if you are voting for the first time in Massachusetts, you are an inactive voter, you are casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or if the poll worker has a practical and legal reason to ask for identification.
Acceptable forms include (must show your name and address at which you are registered to vote):
- MA driver's license or MA-issued ID card
- recent utility bill
- rent receipt
- signed lease
- copy of a voter registration affidavit
- letter from a school dormitory or housing office
- any other printed identification that contains your name and address
Voters without ID: If you're a first-time voter who is unable to present ID when you check in, you may vote a provisional ballot and return with acceptable ID by close of polls. If you're asked for ID for any other reason and are not able to present ID in such a situation, you must still be permitted to vote. However, your ballot must be challenged. Your ballot will be cast normally and will only be re-examined in the case of a recount, court order, or audit.
For more information, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Massachusetts offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 17 and Oct 30. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Massachusetts's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You may be asked to show identification if you are voting for the first time in Massachusetts, you are an inactive voter, you are casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or if the poll worker has a practical and legal reason to ask for identification.
Acceptable forms include (must show your name and address at which you are registered to vote):
- MA driver's license or MA-issued ID card
- recent utility bill
- rent receipt
- signed lease
- copy of a voter registration affidavit
- letter from a school dormitory or housing office
- any other printed identification that contains your name and address
Voters without ID: If you're a first-time voter who is unable to present ID when you check in, you may vote a provisional ballot and return with acceptable ID by close of polls. If you're asked for ID for any other reason and are not able to present ID in such a situation, you must still be permitted to vote. However, your ballot must be challenged. Your ballot will be cast normally and will only be re-examined in the case of a recount, court order, or audit.
For more information, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Massachusetts voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Massachusetts, you must provide your current and valid Massachusetts driver's license number, if you have one. If you do not have a current and valid Massachusetts driver's license, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued either of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Massachusetts will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Massachusetts partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your municipality and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail-in ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In Massachusetts, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out the mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office. You can also submit a mail ballot application online using the Massachusetts Mail Ballot Application System.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
- Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your local election office no later than the third day after the election.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 24 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Online : Oct 24 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 24
Mail and absentee deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 27 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (postmarked by) : Nov 3
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You may be asked to show identification if you are voting for the first time in Massachusetts, you are an inactive voter, you are casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or if the poll worker has a practical and legal reason to ask for identification.
Acceptable forms include (must show your name and address at which you are registered to vote):
- MA driver's license or MA-issued ID card
- recent utility bill
- rent receipt
- signed lease
- copy of a voter registration affidavit
- letter from a school dormitory or housing office
- any other printed identification that contains your name and address
Voters without ID: If you're a first-time voter who is unable to present ID when you check in, you may vote a provisional ballot and return with acceptable ID by close of polls. If you're asked for ID for any other reason and are not able to present ID in such a situation, you must still be permitted to vote. However, your ballot must be challenged. Your ballot will be cast normally and will only be re-examined in the case of a recount, court order, or audit.
For more information, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Massachusetts you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a Massachusetts resident
- be at least 16 years old (must be 18 years old to vote on Election Day)
- not have been convicted of corrupt practices in respect to elections
- not be under guardianship with respect to voting
- not currently be incarcerated for a felony conviction
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens are exempt from voter registration requirements in Massachusetts. In order to get your ballot, you can submit an absentee ballot request using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Massachusetts. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Massachusetts's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Massachusetts, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees elections and election administration in Massachusetts. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.