Read the F*ing directions
for

Are registered to vote by October 24th.

Submit an application for an absentee ballot and it is RECEIVED by 5pm on October 27th.

Click here for information about accessible voting for folks with disabilities.

Click here for information about your eligibility if you have a criminal conviction.

Active duty military, military family member, or living overseas? You have additional voting options! Visit FVAP.GOV for details specific to your situation.

Register to vote by October 24th.

Your request for an absentee ballot must be RECEIVED by 5pm on October 27th — but earlier is better! We recommend applying at least two weeks before Election Day.

Heads up that Massachusetts has two types of mail-in ballots: vote-by-mail ballots are for anyone who prefers not to vote in person, and absentee ballots are for people who need their ballots sent somewhere other than their home address for specific reasons. Check out the requirements and use whichever application fits your needs.

Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the state by November 6th — so really you need to get that ballot in a mailbox by October 27th to make sure it has time to get there. If you’re dropping it off, do that by 8pm on Election Day.

Exceptions for medical emergencies: If you’re admitted to the hospital or another healthcare facility within a week of Election Day, you can use the Emergency Absentee Ballots procedure to designate someone to pick up/drop off your ballot anytime up until the polls close.

This is important: USPS recently changed its policies and won’t always postmark mail the same day it’s picked up from a mailbox — or even the day after. To guarantee a same-day postmark, you’ll need to go to a post office and ask for a manual postmark. All the more reason to mail things early!

Put your ballot in the return envelope provided and seal it.

Sign the front of the return envelope where indicated.

If you’re going to mail it, no need to put a stamp on it - Mass covers your postage for you! Just be sure to put it in the mail as far in advance of Election Day as you possibly can!

Or if you’re dropping it off with your local election office or at a dropbox, drop it by 8pm on Election Day at the latest! DO NOT drop it off at your Election Day polling place.

Only you can drop off your ballot, you can’t have someone do it for you (except in the case of medical emergencies).