Politics

What you need to know nearly registering to vote in Massachusetts

Including how to register, when to vote, and the latest COVID-19 election updates.

Matt Rourke / AP, File

Following the killing of George Floyd, the Blackness human being who died in Minneapolis police force custody on May 25, people are calling for alter. Thousands have taken to the streets to protestation in Massachusetts and across the state, and many more are making donations, signing petitions, and contacting their representatives to demand an end to police brutality and racist policing. One of the best means to raise your vocalism is past casting your ballot. But you won't be able to vote if yous aren't registered in time. Below, notice out what you need to know about voting in the Bay State.

Who can register or pre-register to vote?

If you're a United states citizen, age eighteen or older, and not currently serving fourth dimension for a felony conviction, you lot're eligible to register to vote. If you're 16 or 17 years old, you tin pre-register, which ways you'll be added to the listing of registered voters automatically when you plough 18.

How can I annals to vote?

First, check that you are not already registered to vote in Massachusetts. If not, there are four means to register. The easiest is automatic voter registration; if yous're a citizen and you apply for or renew your driver's license or state ID at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), or apply for health insurance through MassHealth or the Commonwealth Wellness Connector, yous volition be automatically registered to vote.

If you have a signature on file with the RMV (a state ID or a Massachusetts driver's license), simply aren't registered to vote, yous tin can register online.

If you don't take a signature on file with the RMV, y'all can register to vote by mail. Download and print a voter registration form (available in 9 languages), and mail service it to your local election function.

Y'all can likewise annals to vote in person. Forms are bachelor at whatever local election role, the Elections Segmentation of the secretary of state's function, the RMV, and certain public assistance agencies. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the secretary of state's part is encouraging online or mail-in registrations. Not all offices are open up to walk-in registrants, so telephone call alee before y'all go to observe out how to make an appointment. Boston residents can schedule an appointment online using this form.

What are the upcoming registration deadlines?

The voter registration borderline for any election is 20 days prior to the election date. This year, you lot must annals to vote by Wed, Aug. 12 for the country chief election and Wednesday, October. fourteen for the general election. Contact your town clerk for local election registration deadlines.

When and where do I vote?

  • Local elections: Several towns that postponed their elections from the spring have upcoming elections this month. Contact your town clerk for more information.
  • Massachusetts state primary ballot: Sept. 1, 2020
  • Massachusetts general ballot: November. 3, 2020

Discover your poll location here.

I don't feel safe going to the polls during a pandemic. Can I vote early past mail?

No answer yet. Secretarial assistant of State Bill Galvin filed legislation terminal month to aggrandize mail-in and early voting options for both the land main and general elections. Any updates will be posted on his function'south website.

I moved or changed my party affiliation. Should I update my voter registration?

You need to submit a new voter registration form if you've moved or wish to alter your party enrollment. Country law allows to to vote from a previous accost for up to six months after yous have moved, equally long equally you have non registered elsewhere.

Practice I need to bring ID with me when I vote?

Yes. You may be asked to testify ID, which should show your proper noun and the address at which you are registered to vote; for example, a driver's license, state-issued ID bill of fare, recent utility bill, hire receipt, lease, or a re-create of a voter registration affirmation.

I'm a student from out of state living in Mass. Where should I register to vote?

Yous get to choose. If you're registered in your home state, you can request an absentee ballot; if you lot maintain a permanent or temporary residence in Massachusetts, you can register to vote here instead — you only can't practise both.

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