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2024 Election and Voting Guide

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Important Voting Dates for Massachusetts

Below are important voting dates in Massachusetts.  To learn about voting dates in other states, please visit Turbovote.org. and select your state or enter your address.

Last day to register to vote: Saturday October 26 

Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Tuesday, October 29

Early in-person voting: Saturday, October 19 through Friday, November 1. (Check with your town or city clerk for hours and locations)

Election Day: Tuesday, November 5. 

How to view the ballot: Go to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote,

  • enter your street address
  • Click on show my results
  • Click on My State Election Ballot

Registering to Vote

You must register in order to vote.  Click to check your voter registration

To register and vote, you do not have to be affiliated with a political party, though party affiliation may affect whether you can vote in primary elections. 

Student Voting

Students attending college may choose to register at their college address or at their home address. You must vote in the area where you are registered, or you must obtain an absentee or a vote-by-mail ballot.

For more information for students on voting see Campus Votes Project 

Registering to vote in Massachusetts allows for three ways to register:

  • Online - A valid Massachusetts Driver's License or State ID is required to register online
  • By Mail 
  • In-person at 
    • 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.

Registering in other states – check your state’s specific registration process and requirements

How to Vote

Voting in person

When you vote in person, be prepared to greet poll workers and give them your name, address, and your signature. Pens, pencils, and other voting tools will be provided to you along with voting instructions.

You will not be asked for ID unless:

  • You are a first-time or an inactive voter
  • You're casting an provisional or challenged ballot (unusual)
  • Poll workers have a reasonable suspicion that leads them to ask for ID (unusual).

Voting by Mail

Massachusetts residents are entitled to vote by mail. To apply for a mail-in ballot, visit the Commonwealth's webpage. 

Absentee Ballot Voting

If you are unable to vote form your registered address due to temporarily living in another location, you are entitled to obtain and mail an absentee ballot if you're unable to vote from your registered address.

You must apply for and get an absentee ballot before an election and mail it in. Note that the process and requirements to obtain an absentee ballot varies from state to state. Check the different requirements for the state where you are registered to vote.