Massachusetts Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter registration form: 20 days before the election
• Absentee ballot application: Received by noon the day before the election
• Voted absentee ballot: Received before 8:00 PM on Election Day

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

If you're out of state, you can register and apply for your absentee ballot at the same time using the Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Application.  Mail, fax, or hand-deliver your completed application to your "Local Election Official" c/o your City or Town Hall.  Your application must be received by the voter registration deadline, not the absentee ballot application deadline!

If you're not out of state - or if you don't plan on voting by absentee ballot - use our Voter Registration Widget to register to vote.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.

Verify your voter registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Make sure your eligible to vote by absentee ballot

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

• you will be absent from your city or town on election day, and/or
• you have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place, and/or
• you cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs and/or
• you are confined in a correctional facility or jail (but NOT on a felony charge)

Generally, a voter must be registered in order to vote absentee, though several exceptions exist: those outside of Massachusetts; prisoners; and members of the armed forces or merchant marine (and their spouses or dependents) do not need to be registered in order to vote absentee.

Apply for your absentee ballot

Downloading and completing the Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Application.  Mail, fax, or hand-deliver your completed application to your "Local Election Official" c/o your City or Town Hall.  Once the election official processes your form, they'll mail your ballot to you.

If you're away at college, temporarily outside the county, or physically disabled, a relative can use the Absentee Ballot Application by a Family Member to request the ballot for you. 

NOTE: one application is good for all elections during a year.  Once the application is processed, Massachusetts will automatically mail you a ballot for every election in which you are eligible to vote during the calendar year!

Receive, complete, and return your voted absentee ballot

Fill out your ballot, sign where indicated, put a stamp on it, and then mail your ballot back to the address printed no the return envelope.  Your ballot must be received before the polls close on Election Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

If you are registering for the first time in Massachusetts, you must include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form.  If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.  Acceptable identification includes: a copy of a current and valid photo identification OR a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and Massachusetts address.

Do I need to provide ID when I vote by absentee ballot?

You do not need to provide ID if you've already voted in Massachusetts at least once.  If you are a first time Massachusetts and you did not include a copy of your ID with your voter registration form, you must include a copy with your absentee ballot application.  Acceptable identification includes: a current and valid photo identification and Massachusetts address OR a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Additional Information