1. Who can register to vote in Massachusetts?
To register to vote in this state, you must be:
- Currently living in Massachusetts. No length of stay required.
- A U.S. citizen.
- 18 years old by the date of the next election.
2. How do I register to vote?
Fill out a registration card. Mail it to your town or city clerk/election department. You may also register in person at your town hall or city election department. Get a card from a local non-profit, election clerk or library. Go to the website of the MA Secretary of State to print out a registration form.
3. What are the registration deadlines?
Registration cards must be postmarked or delivered 20 days before an election.
4. Do I have to re-register every year?
No. Your registration is valid unless you:
- Changed your address
- Changed your name
- Did not vote in two consecutive State Elections and have moved. State elections are held in every even year — 2010, 2012, 2014 etc.
5. What if I move?
Make sure to re-register at your new address by filling out another registration card.
6. If I forget to re-register at my new address in time for the election, can I still vote at my old address?
Yes. If you moved within your town or city, you may still vote at the polling place where you voted in the last election. If you moved to a new town or city, you may only vote at the old polling location if your move was in the six months before the election.
7. What about enrolling in a political party?
You have three options:
- Register in a Party: You may register to vote in one of the four parties in Massachusetts who have qualified for official party status–Democrat, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian or Republican.
- Register with No Party Affiliation: In Massachusetts, you may list yourself as “Unenrolled” which means you do not have a party designation.
- Another “Political Designation”: You can also choose from a party that is not considered an official party in Massachusetts. If you choose a separate party affiliation, unlike unenrolled, you may not vote in a major party primary (Democrat, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian or Republican).
Names and contacts of 4 major parties and other political designations
http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/elepar/paridx.htm
8. What does it mean to choose “unenrolled”?
Being unenrolled in Massachusetts means that you are registered to vote but not a member of a party. You may still vote in a Democratic, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian,or Republican primary without affecting your “unenrolled” status.
The only exception is once every four years in the Presidential primary. Your party affiliation is automatically changed to the party primary you vote in. To switch back to unenrolled” you have to fill out a party change card after voting. These cards are available at every polling location in a Presidential primary.
9. I became a new citizen after the deadline to register to vote. Can I vote?
Yes. As a new citizen, you may register to vote after the deadline. Go in person to the Election Department at City Hall up until 4 PM on the day before the election. You must bring your dated naturalization papers for them to copy. (MGL Chapter 51, Section 50)
10. What parts of the form are mandatory? What are not?
Mandatory Information
- Name First Name. Middle Initial or Name. Last Name. Other- Jr. III etc.
- Former Name if you are changing your name.
- Current Street Address and Apt # for your voter registration. No PO Boxes.
- Mailing Address if you use a Post Office Box.
- Birth Date
- Party affiliation. “Unenrolled” for no party.
- Old registration address if you were registered before.
- Date
- Signature
- A Number: You must also provide a Drivers License # or the last four digits of your Social Security #. If you don’t have these, write “None”.
What is optional? Phone Number… or information that does not apply to you like change of name or an old address if this is your first time registering.
11. Do I need ID to vote?
Only in certain circumstances:
- First Time Voter–If you are a first time voter who registered through the mail.
- Didn’t Return Census Form–If you did not return your annual census form collected by every town and city in Massachusetts. (Massachusetts is the only state in the country to tie your voter status with an annual census form).
12. What kind of ID is accepted in Massachusetts?
- Valid Photo Identification (Drivers License, State ID issued for Non-Drivers, Student ID, Passport)
- Utility Bill (gas, electric, cable, oil, water — no cell phone bills).
- Recent Bank Statement
- Government document like a paycheck stub.
