This election, voters in Massachusetts will be deciding on federal, state and local offices, as well as five binding statewide ballot questions. And of course, after months of campaigning that have seen two assassinations attempts and a stunning change in Democratic candidate, voters will be deciding between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Here is your guide to when and how to vote in this coming general election.
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How to register to vote:
The deadline to register to vote in Massachusetts has passed.
Online: You can register to vote online using a driver’s license or any other form of identification. Click here for a list of all accepted forms of identification.
By mail: You can register to vote via mail by downloading and filling out this voter registration form and sending it to your local election office. Your voter registration form must be postmarked by Oct. 26.
In person: You can register to vote in person at your local town clerks, election commission, Boards of Registrars, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division, or the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s regional offices.
How do I vote in person?
Early voting: Early voting runs Oct. 19-Nov. 1. Each municipality has at least one polling place for early voting, and hours vary. You can vote at any early voting location within your city or town. Click here to see early voting locations and hours for your community.
On Election Day: You can vote in person Nov. 5 at your local polling place. All polling places throughout the state will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m., but some cities or towns may open the polls as early as 5:45 a.m.
How do I vote by mail?
You can register online for a mail ballot by Oct. 29. You must already be registered to vote in order to vote by mail.
You can return your mail ballot by mailing it back using the envelope provided, hand-delivering it to your local election office, dropping it off at your local election office, dropping it off at an early voting location during early voting hours, or by using a ballot drop box. Mail ballots must reach your local election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Click here for more information on voting by mail.
What if I need help voting?
Federal law requires every state to accommodate individuals with disabilities, including providing accessible parking, entrances and ramps, as well as accessible ballots for people with visual impairment or print disabilities.
Voting materials must also be made available in both English and Spanish. In Massachusetts, voting material is also available in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Khmer.
If you became a U.S. citizen after the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote at your local polling place by 4 p.m. on Election Day. You will need proof that your naturalization ceremony took place after the voter registration deadline.
Voters may bring someone to the polls to help them throughout the voting process.
Who and what is on the ballot?
Check here to see who is on the ballot. You can go to ballotready.org to research the candidates and make a voting plan. The state voter guide gives a guide to the five binding statewide ballot questions for this election.
Go to www.VoteInMA.com for more information on voting and elections in Massachusetts. You can find more of our reporting on the 2024 elections at thepublicsradio.org/2024elections.
Coverage of the 2024 elections on The Public’s Radio is sponsored in part by Ascent Audiology & Hearing, Providence Picture Frame and Rustigian Rugs.
