Registration
Massachusetts registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Massachusetts Voting Guide
Use this Massachusetts voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
Massachusetts voting quick facts
Voter ID
Massachusetts is listed as No document required to vote.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Early voting is available for biennial state elections. The next election for which early voting will be available is the November 6, 2018 State Election.
Felony Voting Rights
In Massachusetts, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Register
Massachusetts voter registration options
Massachusetts voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.
Online Available
Voter registration forms submitted online must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the date of the voter registration deadline.
- Online registration must be completed 10 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
You can register or pre-register to vote with a mail-in voter registration form. Print, fill out, and sign the voter registration form. Mail the signed form to your local election office. Your voter registration form must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 10 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
The deadline to register to vote, update your registration, or change your party is 10 days before any election or town meeting.
- In-person registration must be completed 10 days before Election Day.
military overseas Available
Military and overseas voters may have additional registration options.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application.
Identification
Massachusetts voter ID laws
Massachusetts voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
No document required to vote
Massachusetts voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
Code: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 76C, 950 CMR 54.04(1)(b), and 52 U.S.C. § 21083(b) (HAVA requirements for certain first-time voters)
Accepted forms of ID
- Massachusetts generally does not require voters to present identification when voting in person.
If you do not have ID
- Most Massachusetts voters are not required to present identification in order to vote.
- If identification is required and the voter cannot provide it, the voter may cast a provisional ballot subject to eligibility verification.
Polling Places
Massachusetts poll hours
Polling places in Massachusetts are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
7:00 AM-8:00 PM
In all state elections and primaries, polling places must be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., though towns are allowed to open as early as 5:45 a.m. Voters who are in line when polls are closed at 8 p.m. must be allowed to vote.
Absentee Voting
Massachusetts absentee and mail voting
Early voting is available for biennial state elections. The next election for which early voting will be available is the November 6, 2018 State Election.
Absentee Voting In Alaska
Early voting is available for biennial state elections. The next election for which early voting will be available is the November 6, 2018 State Election.
Absentee Voting Eligibility
In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to
- Absence from the voter's city or town on Election Day; or
- Physical disability; or
- Religious belief.
In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to:
- Absence from the voter's city or town on Election Day; or
- Physical disability; or
- Religious belief.
Request an absentee ballot
- Absentee ballots must be requested in writing by either the voter or the voter's family member.
- For convenience, absentee ballot applications may be downloaded from this page; however, any written communication evidencing a desire for an absentee ballot is acceptable.
- If you would like to request an absentee ballot, you may submit an application or a signed letter to your local election official.
- If you are requesting an absentee ballot for a family member, be sure to submit the request to the voter's local election official.
- When completing the application, you may indicate whether you are requesting a ballot for a specific election, or if you will be needing a ballot for all elections this year.
- lease note that absentee ballot applications expire at the end of each calendar year.
- If you are a voter with a permanent physical disability, you may file a note from your doctor to that effect with your local election official.
- Voters with permanent physical disabilities are sent completed applications at the beginning of each year, to be signed and returned to their local election official.
Eligibility
Massachusetts voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: 18 years old prior to next election to vote
Registration age: You can pre-register at 16 or 17. Once you become old enough to vote, your local election office will move you from the list of pre-registrants to the list of registered voters.
To register to vote in the State of Massachusetts, an individual must meet the following qualifications
- You are a citizen of the United States;
- You are a resident of Massachusetts, and
- You are 16 years old
- You are not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.
Voting Rights
Massachusetts felony conviction voting rights
In Massachusetts, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In Massachusetts, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Citation: Mass. Const. Amend. Art. III and Art. CXX; Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 51, § 1
Work and Voting
Massachusetts time off for voting
No owner, superintendent or overseer in any manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment shall employ or permit to be employed therein any person entitled to vote at an election, during the period of two hours after the opening of the polls in the voting precinct, ward or town in which such person is entitled...
Time off status: Yes
No owner, superintendent or overseer in any manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment shall employ or permit to be employed therein any person entitled to vote at an election, during the period of two hours after the opening of the polls in the voting precinct, ward or town in which such person is entitled to vote, if he shall make application for leave of absence during such period.
MA - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
No owner, superintendent or overseer in any manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment shall employ or permit to be employed therein any person entitled to vote at an election, during the period of two hours after the opening of the polls in the voting precinct, ward or town in which such person is entitled to vote, if he shall make application for leave of absence during such period.
Lookup
Massachusetts voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Moving
Massachusetts moving and student voting
State law allows voters who have moved within Massachusetts to vote in state elections and primaries from a previous address for up to six months, as long as they have not registered at a new address. If you have moved from one community in Massachusetts to another, and you have not registered to vote at your new...
Movers and college students Voting
State law allows voters who have moved within Massachusetts to vote in state elections and primaries from a previous address for up to six months, as long as they have not registered at a new address. If you have moved from one community in Massachusetts to another, and you have not registered to vote at your new address, you may vote at your previous polling place. Please note that this does not apply to local...
Voting from a Previous Address
- State law allows voters who have moved within Massachusetts to vote in state elections and primaries from a previous address for up to six months, as long as they have not registered at a new address. If you have moved from one community in...
College student
- At School. Students can establish residency in Massachusetts if they have a present intention to remain at their Massachusetts school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home. Any other interpretation of...
Sources
Massachusetts official voting resources
Questions
Common Massachusetts questions
Can I register to vote online in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts lists online voter registration as available. Voter registration forms submitted online must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the date of the voter registration deadline.
What voter ID rule does Massachusetts use?
Massachusetts is listed as No document required to vote. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Massachusetts?
Polling places in Massachusetts are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Massachusetts voter registration or polling place?
The Massachusetts voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.