In Massachusetts, you can vote early in all statewide elections and some local elections. You don’t need an excuse to cast an early ballot.
You can vote early in person or by mail. For information on voting early by mail, visit our Voting by Mail page.
During early voting, you can vote at any early voting location in the city or town where you are registered to vote. This location may be different from your Election Day polling place.
2026 State Election
Early voting for the November 3, 2026 State Election will be held October 17-30. Use our early voting schedule tool to find early voting hours and locations in your community.
The early voting period includes the weekends of October 17-18 and October 24-25. Every city and town will hold early voting hours on both weekends.
Make sure to check your community’s early voting schedule ahead of time. When making your plan to vote, keep in mind that many towns have limited or no voting hours on Fridays.
Eligible Elections
In-person early voting is available for:
- Regular state elections
- Regular state primaries
- Presidential primaries
- Special elections held on the same day as a statewide election
- Special elections for U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives
Local officials can choose to offer in-person early voting for city and town elections. Contact your local election office for information about early voting in an upcoming local election.
Early Voting Periods
In-person early voting takes place during a designated early voting period, set by state law.
For statewide elections and primaries, every city and town is required to offer weekend voting hours during the early voting period.
For statewide general elections, the early voting period is 14 days long, beginning 17 days before Election Day and ending on the Friday before Election Day.
For state and presidential primaries, the early voting period is 7 days long, beginning 10 days before Election Day and ending on the Friday before Election Day.
If early voting is available for your city or town election, the early voting period will be set by the city council or board of selectmen.
