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Elections

Voters with Disabilities

Working to ensure equal access for all voters

Massachusetts is committed to making voting accessible for all voters. We check each polling place to make sure they meet state accessibility regulations. We train poll workers on assisting voters with disabilities.

Please let us know if you have suggestions about how we can improve our accessibility. You can call the Elections Division at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683), contact us using TTY at 1-800-720-3480, or email us at elections@sec.state.ma.us.

Accessible Polling Places

All polling locations must be accessible. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has standards locations are required to meet. This includes:

  • Accessible parking
  • Accessible entrances
  • Ramps wherever there are stairs
These do not have to be permanent.

Read all of the requirements here.

Accessible Voting Procedures

A voter can choose someone to assist them while:

  • Entering the polling location
  • Checking in
  • Entering the voting booth
  • Preparing the ballot
  • Exiting the booth
  • Checking out
If you can’t come to a polling location, you can vote through the mail using an absentee ballot.

Accessible Voting Equipment

Every early voting and polling location must have at least one accessible voting machine. The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminals can assist visually impaired voters. It displays the ballot in high-contrast, magnified text and uses audio cues. The AutoMARK can also read you your ballot before you print it out and submit it.

Watch this AutoMARK Video for more information on the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal.

Contact Us If We Can Help

Please let us know how we can improve accessibility. Call us at 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) (toll free) or 617-727-2828. Citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those with speech, motion or cognitive issues, may use the secure and confidential communication services of MassRelay in English and Spanish. You may also e-mail us at elections@sec.state.ma.us.

Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot

In most elections in Massachusetts, voters can choose to vote by mail. Accessible vote by mail ballots are available for certain voters. If you are blind or have a vision impairment, have a mobility or dexterity disability, or have another disability that makes it difficult for you to mark a paper ballot, you can request an accessible vote by mail ballot.

Applying for your Ballot

To request your Vote by Mail ballot, you will need to submit a Vote by Mail applicationto your local election office:

  • Online
  • By mail
  • By e-mail or fax
  • In person

Vote by Mail applications can be submitted online through the Mail-in Ballot Application System.

To receive an accessible Vote by Mail ballot, check the appropriate box at the bottom of the online application form and provide your email address.

An accessible Vote by Mail application can be downloaded or printed here.

The accessible Vote by Mail application allows you to use a type-written signature if you are not able to independently sign your application by hand.

Application Deadlines

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on the 5th business day before the election. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline. Apply as early as possible.

Voting by Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot

Once your application has been received by your local election office, they will send two emails to the email address provided on your application. One will include instructions for accessing the system and returning your completed ballot and the second will give you a unique access PIN to use to login.

You can use the accessible vote by mail system to mark your ballot using a computer or mobile device. Once you’re done voting, you can return your ballot electronically or print your completed ballot.

Returning Your Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot Electronically

To return the ballot electronically, you will need to review the ballot materials and ballot before submitting the ballot to your local election official using the secure web portal. Ballots returned electronically must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Returning Your Ballot by Mail or in Person

To return a ballot by mail, in a secure drop box, or in person at your local election office, you must be able to print your ballot. To print and return your ballot, you must inform your local election office so they can send you a secrecy envelope and return mailing envelope. Your request for the materials must be received by the local election office by 5 p.m. on the 5th business day before the election.

Once you have printed your ballot, fold it into thirds. If your ballot is more than one page, fold all the pages together. Seal your folded ballot in the yellow secrecy envelope provided by your local election office.

The secrecy envelope will have a signature line marked by a hole punched in the envelope. Complete the affidavit by signing to the right of the hole punch. If you are unable to sign the secrecy envelope by hand, you must include the electronic Affidavit of Compliance generated by the accessible vote by mail system.

Put your sealed secrecy envelope (and the Affidavit of Compliance if needed) into the white mailing envelope. Seal the envelope. The mailing envelope will already be addressed to your local election office and have the postage prepaid.

You can return your ballot by:

  • Mailing it back using the envelope provided
  • Hand-delivering your ballot to your local election office
  • Dropping your ballot off at an early voting location during early voting hours
  • Using a ballot drop box provided by your city or town

    • Ballots cannot be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day.

    Ballots must reach your local election office by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted.

    If you have questions, please contact the Secretary’s accessible Vote by Mail Coordinator at avbm@sec.state.ma.us or by phone at 617-727-2828.