Vote by Mail In Boston

Can I vote by mail?

Yes, every registered voter is eligible to vote by mail.

What if I am not registered?

You need to be a registered voter to vote by mail. The deadline to register to vote in the State Primary Election is Saturday, August 22, 2026. You can register online, by mail, or in person at Boston City Hall.

You have until 5 p.m. to register to vote in-person, and until 11:59 p.m. to register to vote online. If you register to vote by mail, it must be postmarked by Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Can I register to vote and apply for my ballot at the same time?

Yes. As long as your registration form is received or postmarked 10 days before the election, your application can be submitted with your registration form.

What if I'm not sure where I'm registered?

Before you fill out your mail-in ballot application, use the state's website to confirm that you're registered at your current address.

What if I'm still registered at an old address?

If the voter registration deadline hasn't passed yet, you should register to vote at your current address. If there isn't time to update your address, you should apply using your old address where you are registered to vote if:

• you have moved within the same city or town where you are registered, OR
• you have moved to a new city or town in Massachusetts within six months of the election.

When you apply by mailing a paper application, emailing your application to absentee@boston.gov (be sure to sign), or bringing your application to City Hall Room 241, you can request that your ballot be sent to your new address.

How soon do I need to apply for my ballot?

You should apply as soon as possible. We need to receive your application at least five business days before Election Day. Remember that it can take up to a week for the mail to be delivered in one direction, so it's best to try to apply at least two to three weeks before the election.

What if I can't print the Vote-by-Mail Application?

You should receive an application by mail prior to the first election each calendar year. If you did not receive this application and cannot print one, you can apply online or write a signed letter to the Election Department. Make sure to include your name, address, and where to mail your ballot. You can also call the Election Department (617-635-8683) to request an application to be sent to you.

Where do I send my application?

If you are a registered Boston voter, you can send your signed application to our office through mail, email, or fax. For Primaries, unenrolled voters must select which party's primary they will vote in (Democrat or Republican).

• By mail: 

  Election Department
  1 City Hall Square, Room 241
  Boston, MA 02201

• Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov

• Fax: 617-635-4483

Can I sign my application digitally?

Yes, but your signature has to be similar to your hand-written signature. You can sign your name on a computer or phone using a mouse, finger, or stylus. Typed signatures are not acceptable.

How do I know if my application was received?

You can use the state's website to track your mail-in ballot. If your application is marked as "Pending," that means your application has been received and your ballot will be mailed out as soon as it is ready. If the website can't find a record for you, that may mean that your application hasn't been received yet. You should call us at 617-635-8683.

Where is my ballot?

You can use the state's website to track your mail-in ballot. If the ballot has already been mailed, you will be able see the date it was mailed. If the website can't find a record for you, that may mean that your application hasn't been received yet and you should call us at 617-635-8683.

If I vote by mail, can I change my mind and vote in person?

It depends. If you mailed your early ballot back and it was accepted by our office, then your ballot is considered to be cast and you can't vote again. If your ballot never reached our office — or if it was rejected for some reason — then you can vote in person.

What if I need assistance in voting?

If you need assistance voting because you have a physical disability or you have difficulty reading your ballot you may ask an other person to assist you in marking your ballot in your presence.

If you cannot sign your name on the ballot envelope, the person assisting you should sign your name in the space provided for the voter's signature. They should then provide their own information in the space provided for the assisting person. If you need an accommodation because of a physical disability, you may apply to the state's Elections Division.

Can someone else fill out my ballot for me if I am not home?

No. Only you can fill out your ballot and sign your ballot envelope, unless you are unable to do so because of physical disability or inability to read your ballot. All help must be provided in your presence. You can, however, have a ballot mailed to you wherever you are.

If my ballot hasn’t been received by the Election Department, can I vote in person?

Yes, if your ballot status on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website states it has not yet been received you may vote in person at your assigned polling location. The check-in process will show that your ballot has not yet been received by the Election Department. You will be allowed to vote in person and the ballot in transit will be rejected when it arrives at the Election Department. Your ballot may have arrived since you checked its status. In that case you will not be able to vote in person because the delivered ballot will be counted.

You can call the Election Department (617-635-8683) to confirm if your ballot has been received and if you should vote in person.

Do I need to send ID with my ballot?

Maybe. First-time voters in Massachusetts are sometimes required by federal law to present ID showing their name and the address where they registered to vote. If you are required to show ID, we will send you a notice with your ballot. Make sure you send a copy of your ID on the outside of your ballot envelope, because the ballot envelope can't be opened until it is time to count the ballots.

How can I return my ballot?

You can return your ballot by mail, in person, or in one of the convenient drop boxes located throughout the City.

To return a ballot by mail, a postage-paid envelope is included with the ballot package. You may also return your ballot to City Hall during regular working hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Our drop boxes will be monitored by surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week leading up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

When do I need to return my ballot?

Ballots must reach the Election Department or a drop box by 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Can I track my ballot?

Yes, you can track your ballot on the state's website. This page will show you:

• if your application has been received
• the date your ballot is mailed
• the date your ballot is received at your local election office, and
• whether your ballot is accepted or rejected.

Will my ballot be counted if it arrives after Election Day?

2026 State Primary - Tuesday, September 1

• Your ballot must reach the Election Department or a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1 to be counted.

2026 State Election - Tuesday, November 3

• Your mailed ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, and will be counted if it arrives at the Election Department by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 6. Ballot drop boxes will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Ballots will not be accepted through drop boxes after the election ends on Tuesday, November 3.

Please mail your ballot at least one week prior to election day to ensure it arrives on time. Ballot drop boxes are another option to return vote-by-mail and absentee ballots closer to Election Day.

Only for biennial State Elections, if it was mailed and postmarked by Election Day and arrives to the Election Department by 5 p.m. 3 business days following Election Day. The next biennial State Election will occur on November 3, 2026. The 2026 State Primary Election requires ballots to be received by the Election Department or placed in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you think your ballot may not arrive in time to be counted, consider returning it by hand-delivery or voting in person. 

How do I know my ballot was counted?

Your ballot will be counted in a public space, either at your polling place or at a central tabulation facility in Boston. You can use the state's website to confirm your ballot was accepted.

Why was my ballot rejected?

If your ballot was rejected, it is most likely because you did not sign the affidavit on your ballot envelope. The Boston Election Department will notify you if your ballot is rejected and the reason it was rejected.

If there is enough time left before the election, you will also be sent a new ballot. You will also have the option of voting in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.