Massachusetts Election Center

Massachusetts absentee ballots

• Absentee ballot application deadlines

  • In Person:
  • By Mail: 1 day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least 7 days before Election Day.
  • Online:

• Voted absentee ballots are due

  Election Day.

• Absentee ballot rules

  You may vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts if:

  • you will be absent from your city or town on Election Day.
  • you have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polling place.
  • you cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs
  • you are confined in a correctional facility or jail on something OTHER than a felony charge

  Generally, a voter must be registered in order to vote absentee, though several exceptions exist: Those outside of Massachusetts, prisoners, and members of the armed forces or merchant marine, or their spouses or dependents, do not need to be registered in order to vote absentee.

• How to get an absentee ballot in Massachusetts

  1. Use our Absentee Ballot Tool to prepare your application.
  2. Sign and date the form. This is very important!
  3. Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We'll provide the mailing address for you.
  4. All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it's close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
  5. Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time -- simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
  6. Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.

• Once you get your absentee ballot in Massachusetts

  • Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
  • Sign and date where indicated.
  • Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
  • Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.