VOTE!

Got questions about voting in Massachusetts? You have come to the right place. Keep reading for a list of questions AND answers that provide all the information you need about registering and voting in Massachusetts.

Frequently asked Questions about Voting

Who can vote?

All residents of Massachusetts who are registered voters can vote in local, state, and federal elections. If you are a U.S. citizen, a Massachusetts resident,  and at least 18 years old on or before the election date, you can register to vote.

How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote two ways:

  • Register online on the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website. Click here, then click the REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE button.
  • Fill out a paper registration form. Simply go to the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall and ask for a voter registration form. You do not need to show identification to register to vote. However, the voter registration form requires that you provide either the last four digits of your social security number or your driver’s license number. If you do not have that information when you register, you will be asked to show identification  at the polls the first time you vote. Acceptable forms of ID include a current and valid driver’s license, state-issued ID card, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or any other government document that shows your name and address.To download a voter registration form that you can send in by U.S. mail, click here.

IMPORTANT: Whether you register to vote online or by completing the paper form, the last day to register is 20 days before the date of the election. 

I don’t know if I am registered to vote.
How do I find out?

If you need to verify your voter registration status, you can find out quickly by typing your name, birthdate, and current zip code on the Secretary of State’s website. Click here to check your registration now.

Where do I vote?

To find your polling location, click here to fill out an online form on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Just enter your street number, street name, and town, and the system will display the name and address of your polling place.

What time do the polls open and close?

Important Note: For the 2021 Town Election, the polls will open at at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. 

For a Town Election, the polls open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.  For the State Election, the polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Anyone in line when the polls close will be able to vote.

I will be traveling on election day. Can I still vote?

Voters who will be unable to visit the polls on election day can complete an application for an absentee ballot so they can vote before election day. You can pick up an absentee ballot in the Town Clerk’s office, or you can download and print the application. Click here.

You must submit the completed application to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 12:00 noon on the day before the election. However, if you need the ballot mailed to you, you must return the application sooner to ensure it arrives on time.

You may also vote, after completing an absentee ballot application, in the Town Clerk’s office during business hours if you find that you will not be able to vote on Election Day for any of the reasons that entitle you to vote absentee. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m.  (the time the polls close) on election day. A completed absentee ballot, appropriately signed and sealed, may be dropped off at the Town Clerk’s office but may NOT be delivered directly to the polling location.

I am registered to vote, but I recently moved.
Can I still vote?

If you recently moved, you MUST re-register to vote in your new community.  Even if you moved within the same community, you must still re-register to vote at your new address. Updating your address at the post office does NOT transfer your voter’s registration.

Do ​I need to show ID at the polls?

Massachusetts does not have a voter ID law. The only times you will be asked to show identification are:

  • If you are a first time voter and did not provide identification information at the time you registered to vote.
  • If you are an inactive voter.  Voters may become inactive when they or the head of household does not return the annual Town census (also known as the street listing), which is mailed in January every year.  An “inactive” voter will be asked for identification that shows they live at the address at which they are registered. An inactive voter will also be asked to sign an affirmation of continuous residency.  You may call the Town Clerk’s office at 508.634.2307 to verify your voting status.

Where can I find more information about elections and voting in Massachusetts?

Visit or call the Town Clerk’s office in your local Town Hall. The phone number of Milford’s Town Clerk’s office is 508.634.2307.

You can also read a treasure trove of information on the Secretary of State’s website. Go to:  Sec.State.MA.US

SOURCES: Information on this page was compiled using various news sources, the Milford town website (MilfordMA.gov), and the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website (Sec.State.MA.US).