Vote by Mail Applications to Begin Arriving in Mailboxes This Week

Voters interested in voting by mail in the 2026 State Primary and State Election should keep an eye on their mailboxes in the coming days, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division. Every Massachusetts voter who has not already applied to vote by mail this year will soon be receiving an official 2026 Vote by Mail application.

As required by state law, each registered voter in Massachusetts will receive a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid application, which may be used to apply for mail-in ballots for the upcoming fall elections. In order to be valid, an application for a September 1, 2026 State Primary ballot must reach the appropriate local election office by 5 p.m. on August 25.

Those who prefer to vote in person will have the option of voting early. The early voting period for the State Primaries will be August 22-28, while early voting for the November 3 State Election will be held October 17-30.

Voters who are not enrolled in a political party are reminded that they must select a party on their application, if they wish to receive a State Primary ballot. Unenrolled voters, commonly called Independents, are permitted to vote in party primaries, but they must choose either a Democratic or a Republican ballot. Voting in a primary in Massachusetts does not change a voter’s party affiliation.

Additional information about voting and the upcoming elections may be found at www.VoteInMA.com.