What are the legal requirements for absentee voting?
Absentee voting in Massachusetts is available to any registered voter who is unable to vote in person at a polling station on the day of an election. All absentee voting requires an application to be submitted before the election, and the process of submitting the application is different depending on the type of election. For state, federal, or special elections, a voter must send an application to their city or town clerk. This can be done by mail, fax, or email, and the application must include the voter’s home address, date of birth, the election in which the voter is voting absentee, and the reason for voting absentee. The voter must also provide a copy of a photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or state-issued identification card. For primary elections, a voter must fill out a paper application or obtain one from their town or city hall and turn it in. On the application, the voter must include the election in which they are voting absentee and the reason for voting absentee. The completed application must be received by the clerk’s office no later than noon on the day before the election. Once the application is approved, the clerk will mail the voter a ballot, and the voter must return the ballot to the clerk’s office before the election. Absentee ballots are counted just like ballots cast in person, and the voter must keep their ballot confidential and not reveal how they voted to anyone else. All absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office no later than 8 pm on the day of the election in order to be counted.
Related FAQs
What are the rules regarding campaign finance limits?What are the rules for early voting?
What are the rules for provisional ballots?
What are the rules for write-in candidates?
Who is eligible to vote in the United States?
What is the difference between a primary and caucus?
What are the rules for absentee voting?
What are the rules regarding campaign finance reform?
What are the rules regarding campaign finance disclosures?
What is the role of county clerks in the election process?
Related Blog Posts
What Are the Basics of Election Law? - July 31, 2023Understanding Your Right to Vote Under Election Law - August 7, 2023
Navigating Election Laws: A Guide for Candidates - August 14, 2023
Election Law and the Electoral College – What You Need to Know - August 21, 2023
An Overview of Election Laws and How They Impact a Voter's Rights - August 28, 2023