Voting laws in Massachusetts
From Ballotpedia
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Each state has its own series of election laws. The separation of powers clause in the constitution has largely placed the responsibility for conducting on state governments. Each state has its own election law enforcement agencies, oftentimes part of the executive branch, sometimes a part of the state judiciary. The following are basic guidelines for voting in Massachusetts. Note: Before taking any action, or if you have any questions, contact your state election agency.
Polling Place Hours
Open: 7:00am to 8:00pm
Voter Registration Information
Registration Deadlines
In order to vote you must be registered 20 days before all primaries and elections, and/or 10 days before a special town meeting.
Identification Required for Registration
When mailing in their voter registration, voters should include a copy of their driver's license, state issued identification card, utility bill, bank statement, government check, or government paycheck. If identification is not included with the registration materials, the voter will be asked to present their identification prior to casting a ballot.
How to Check Registration
Contact your County Elections Official.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
If you registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, you will be required to show identification when you vote for the first time in a federal election since registering by mail in 2003 if you have not sent in a copy of your identification with your mail-in voter registration form.
Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid driver's license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Visit the Massachusetts Election Division website.
Absentee Voting
You may vote by absentee ballot if you:
- will be absent from your city or town on election day, and/or
- have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place, and/or
- cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs.
Rules and Deadlines
- Apply in writing to your city or town clerk or election commission and include your
- name,
- address as registered,
- ward and precinct (if you know them),
- address where you wish the absentee ballot sent,
- in a primary, the party ballot you want, and
- your signature.
- The application must be received by noon on the day before the election, and may be mailed or hand-delivered to your city or town hall.
- A completed absentee ballot must be received by the county elections office before the close of the polls on election day (8:00 p.m. for state elections).
- If you cast your absentee ballot at the clerk's office before election day, you can make your application and cast your vote in one visit.
Early Voting
If you are eligible to vote absentee, you can cast your absentee ballot at the clerk's office before election day, you can make your application and cast your vote in person in one visit.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
If you have moved within the same city or town, notify your local election office of your new address in writing. If you have moved to a new city or town, you must register again.
Information for People with Felony Convictions
Voter is eligible to register if not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
See also
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002
- State by State Provisional Ballot Laws
- State by State Voter ID Laws
- Recount laws in Massachusetts
- Felon vote fraud
- Massachusetts election agencies
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