Deadline to Register to Vote in Massachusetts
The deadline to register to vote in Massachusetts is coming up sooner than you think.
The Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts noted via X (formerly Twitter) that the voter registration deadline is on October 26. Additionally, the first day of early voting is on October 19, and the last day for early voting is on November 1. The mail-in ballot application deadline is October 29.
If you are planning to vote by mail and have already applied, you should receive your ballot in mid-October.
How to Register to Vote in Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents can register to vote via RegisterToVoteMA.com. On that website, you can also update your address, your party, your name, and check your registration information. You are eligible to vote in Massachusetts if you are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, are at least 18 years or older, and are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth states, “The deadline to register to vote, update your registration, or change your party is 10 days before any election or town meeting.”
Massachusetts residents can only register to vote online if they have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you don’t have a signature on file, you can register by mail or register in person in one of the following locations:
- Your local town clerks, election commission, and Boards of Registrars.
- The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division.
- The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s regional offices.
Complete Massachusetts voter registration information can be found at Sec.State.MA.US.
Important Information If You Moved Since You Last Voted
The Secretary of the Commonwealth notes, “Your voter registration is tied to your address, which means you need to re-register if you move. Your address determines your polling place and the candidates on your ballot. Make sure your address is up to date by October 26!”
Prepare Yourself to Vote With a Sample Ballot
Sometimes, there are a lot of offices and other measures on a ballot, and it can be a bit challenging to remember all the things you need to vote on. Fortunately, you can plan ahead by viewing a sample ballot that will contain all of the offices and measures on your upcoming ballot. (This can also serve as a helpful “study sheet,” so you can research the candidates and more. You can view your sample ballot by entering your full address on Sec.State.MA.US./WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote.