Skip to main content

local-nav3
Elections

Registering to Vote

Who can Register to Vote?

You can register to vote in Massachusetts if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • A resident of Massachusetts
  • 18 years or older
  • Not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person.

You can pre-register to vote in Massachusetts if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen.
  • A resident of Massachusetts.
  • 16 or 17 years old.
  • Not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.
You may pre-register to vote by submitting a voter registration form. You can submit it online, by mail, or in person. You’ll receive confirmation of your pre-registration by mail. When you turn 18 you will be added to the voter list.

Voter Registration Deadlines

The deadline to register to vote, update your registration, or change your party is 10 days before any election or town meeting.

New Citizens

You can register to vote as soon as you are naturalized. You will need to register using a paper form, either by mail or in person, until the next time you renew your driver’s license or state ID with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The RMV can’t verify your identity to use the Online Voter Registration System until you provide them with proof of citizenship.

If you became a U.S. citizen after the voter registration deadline, you can register to vote in person at your local election office until 4 p.m. on the day before the election. Make sure you bring proof that your naturalization ceremony took place after the voter registration deadline.

Register Online

If you have a signature on file with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, you can register online. You can also pre-register, update your address, update your name, and change your political party designation.

Voter registration forms submitted online must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the date of the voter registration deadline.

Register by Mail

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.

If you are registering to vote in Massachusetts for the first time, you should include a copy of identification that shows your name and address with your form. If you don’t include a copy of your ID, you may need to show it the first time you vote.

Register In-Person

You can register or pre-register to vote in person.
In Massachusetts, you can register to vote in-person at:

  • Your local town clerks, election commission, and Boards of Registrars.
  • The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division.
  • The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s regional offices.
Voter registration forms completed in-person are valid on the day that they are signed.

Automatic Voter Registration

If you are a Massachusetts citizen doing certain things at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth, and the Commonwealth Health Connector, you will automatically become registered to vote.

You can be automatically registered to vote when you:

  • Apply for or renew your driver’s license at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
  • Apply for or renew a learner's permit.
  • Apply for or renew a state ID.
  • Apply for MassHealth benefits online, in person, or by phone.
  • Apply for health insurance through the Commonwealth Health Connector.

Automatic Voter Registration Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need to register to vote?

You should still register to vote every time you move. You will only be automatically registered if you perform specific actions at the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector and you haven’t already updated your voter registration.

If you are not registered to vote at your current address, you should submit a voter registration form. You can do this online, by mail, or in person.

How does automatic voter registration work?

If the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector determines that you are a United States citizen, they will send your information to the election office. When your election office receives your name, address, and date of birth, they will add you to the voter list. They will send a notice confirming your registration in 2-3 weeks.

Can I opt out of registering?

State law no longer allows you to opt out of registration during your transaction. Instead, you will be sent a notice by mail to inform you of your automatic registration, and that notice will explain how you can remove your name from the voter list.

If I’m already registered, will I be registered to vote twice?

No. If you are already registered to vote at your current address, nothing will change. If you are registered to vote at a different address in Massachusetts, your address will be updated with your new registration.

What if I am not the one completing my health insurance application?

You will not be registered to vote. Automatic voter registration does not apply to applications completed for someone else. If you are applying for a family, only the person who signs the form will be registered to vote.

What if I move?

If you are re-applying for health insurance or a driver's license when you update your address, you will be automatically registered to vote at your new address. If you are merely updating your address, you should submit a new voter registration form when you move. You can update your address for voter registration purposes online.

How do I join a political party?

If you are already registered to vote in Massachusetts, this will not change your party affiliation.

If you are not already registered to vote in Massachusetts, you will automatically be registered as Unenrolled (commonly referred to as "Independent"). You can choose a party when you receive confirmation of your voter registration.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You will not be registered to vote. Automatic registration only takes place at agencies that collect citizenship information. You can only be automatically registered to vote if you have provided the agency with a copy of a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or U.S. naturalization papers.