Voting by Mail

Massachusetts voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required. To request your Vote by Mail ballot, submit a signed application to your local election office.

In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead. You can find more information about absentee ballot eligibility under “Absentee Ballots,” below. 

Applying for your Ballot

In 2022, Vote by Mail applications will be mailed in July and September to every voter who hasn’t already requested a mail-in ballot for the fall elections. These applications will be pre-addressed to your local election office and postage pre-paid.

Vote by Mail applications can also be downloaded or printed from our website.

Any written request with your signature is an acceptable application. You can simply write a signed letter to your local election office to apply for your ballot. 

Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you’re emailing your application, you need to sign it in a way that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable. Typed signatures cannot be accepted. 

Applying for a Primary Ballot

If you’re applying for a primary ballot, and you aren’t registered in a party, you must indicate which party’s ballot you want to receive. If you don’t provide a party on your application, you will not receive a primary ballot.

If you’re unenrolled (commonly called “Independent”) or enrolled in political designations, you are allowed to vote in the party primary of your choice. Your ballot choice will not affect your party registration.

Application Deadlines

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing at least 5 business days before Election Day. 
Application deadlines for 2022 are listed below. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline.

Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day.

Returning your Ballot

There are several options for returning your ballot. You may return your ballot by:

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

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