2020 Election Info

Some websites with helpful information:
Important dates:
Election day is Nov. 3!!
Registration deadlines
Online: Oct. 24
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 24
In person: Oct. 24
Absentee ballot deadlines
Request: Received by Oct. 28 by 5:00 p.m.
Return by mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3
Return in person: Nov. 3 by close of polls
Early voting

Oct. 17 – Oct. 30, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live

Procedures:
  1. Make sure you’re registered to vote: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx – if you’re not, you can register before October 24!
    1. In order to register in MA, you must:
      * be a citizen of the United States
      * be a resident of Massachusetts
      * be at least 16 years old (must be 18 years old to vote on Election Day)
      * not have been convicted of corrupt practices in respect to elections
      * not be under guardianship with respect to voting

      * not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction

  2. Learn what’s on your ballot! View your sample ballot here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx
  3. Make a voting plan:
    1. Vote by mail:
      1. 1. Massachusetts has mailed a vote by mail application to every registered voter.
        2. Fill out the application completely.
        3. Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
        4. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.

        5. Your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and received no later than Friday, November 6, 2020. You may also return your ballot in person by Tuesday, November 3, 2020 by close of polls. You can track your ballot here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx

    2. In-person voting:
      1. Early voting runs from Saturday, October 17 to Friday, October 30. After that, the last day to vote is election day, November 3.
      2. What to bring:
* You may be asked to show identification if: you are voting for the first-time in Massachusetts in a federal election, you are an inactive voter, you are casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or if the poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request identification. Acceptable forms include (must show your name and address at which you are registered to vote): a MA driver’s license or MA-issued ID card; recent utility bill; rent receipt; signed lease; a copy of a voter registration affidavit; or any other printed identification which contains the voter’s name and address.
* Voters without ID: If you’re a first-time voter who is unable to present ID when you check in, you may vote a provisional ballot and return with acceptable ID by close of polls. If you’re asked for ID for any other reason, and are not able to present ID in such a situation, you must still be permitted to vote; however, your ballot must be challenged. Your ballot will be cast normally, and will only be re-examined in the case of a recount, court order, or audit.
* For more information, visit the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/

Voting in a state other than Massachusetts?

Make sure to send your ballot soon! Information about your state’s voting by mail process can be found here: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/