Absentee ballot application deadline ma

Absentee ballots and mail ballots work the same way, and the process for getting one is straight forward.

  1. Request your ballot by the deadline
  2. Receive your in ballot in the mail
  3. Return your ballot by the deadline

Massachusetts absentee deadlines

Massachusetts absentee ballot rules

Any registered Massachusetts voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

Massachusetts online ballot request (recommended)

  1. Visit the Massachusetts absentee ballot website.
  2. Fill out all of the required information.
  3. Hit save or submit when you are done.
  4. The deadline to apply online is 7 days before Election Day .

Massachusetts by-mail ballot request

  1. Download the Massachusetts absentee ballot application.
  2. Fill out all of the required fields.
  3. Print the application.
  4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
  5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
  6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
  7. Your application must be received by 7 days before Election Day .

Massachusetts in-person ballot request

  1. Visit your local election office.
  2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
  3. Fill out all of the required fields.
  4. Sign and date your application.
  5. The deadline to apply in person is 7 days before Election Day .

After you receive your ballot

  1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
  2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
  3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
  4. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Election Day .
  5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day .
  6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

Massachusetts absentee ballot ID requirements

Your signature on your application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.

Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.

Massachusetts absentee ballot tracker

Massachusetts absentee ballot curing

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Massachusetts emergency ballots

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

You may request an emergency absente ballot if you are hospitalized after NOON 7 days before Election Day.

Local election office

Contact your local election office if you have questions.

Statewide election office

This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Massachusetts elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.

Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division, Room 1705 One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108

External resources

References