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How to Register to Vote

Are you registered to vote? Do you want to change your party, your address, your name?

Newton residents can visit Newton’s Office of the Election Commission for detailed voter registration information:

NEWTON
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
1000 COMMONWEALTH AV
NEWTON, MA 02459
Phone: 617-796-1200
Fax: 617-796-1214
Email: elections@newtonma.gov

Who may register to vote in Massachusetts?

Any resident of Massachusetts may submit an application to register or pre-register to vote in Massachusetts if:

  • You are a citizen of the United States; and
  • You are 16 years old; and
  • You are not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.

Residents who will be 18 years old by the date of the next election may register to vote. Residents aged 16 and 17 can pre-register to vote, so that when they turn 18 they will be automatically registered.

Where do you register?

If you meet the above registration requirements, a Massachusetts resident may apply in-person, by mail, or online.  In addition, as of January 1, 2020, if you are a U.S. citizen applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state ID at the RMV, or applying for health insurance through MassHealth or the Commonwealth Health Connector, you will be automatically registered to vote, unless you opt out of registering.  See Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Voter Registration Information.

In Person. You may register to vote in person at any registration event, in any local election office, as well as the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. Voter registration is also available at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and at certain public assistance agencies. Voter registration forms completed in-person are valid as of the day that they are signed.

You can also register to vote through the Registry of Motor Vehicles when you renew or apply for your driver’s license.

By Mail.  You may complete and sign a mail-in voter registration affidavit, fold as directed, complete the address for the local election office in the city or town where you live, place a first-class stamp in the upper right-hand corner and mail.  For Newton residents, you can mail your application to: Election Commission, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton MA 02459. The mail-in form must be postmarked no later than the voter registration deadline. The mail-in form may also be hand-delivered to your local election office.  You may download a voter registration form here.

More information for Newton residents is available on the Office of Election Commission page of the City of Newton, Mass., website.

Online. In order to register to vote online, you must have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you currently have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID card, you may use the online voter registration application to register, update your address, or change your party affiliation. Voter registration forms submitted online must be submitted by midnight on the date of the voter registration deadline.

Automatic Voter Registration:  As of January 1, 2020, if you are a Massachusetts citizen conducting certain transactions through the Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth, and the Commonwealth Health Connector and you do not opt out of registering to vote, you will automatically become registered to vote.

If you do not opt out of registering, you will automatically be registered to vote when you:

  • Apply for or renew a driver’s license
  • Apply for or renew a learner’s permit
  • Apply for or renew a state ID
  • Apply for MassHealth benefits online, in person, or by phone.
  • Apply for health insurance through the Commonwealth Health Connector

If you do not wish to be registered to vote, or you do not wish to be registered at the address you use with the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector, you may opt out of registering.

If you opt out of registering to vote, or if your citizenship has not been confirmed by the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector, you will not be registered to vote. If you do not opt out and your citizenship is confirmed, your name, address, and date of birth will be sent to your local election official to be added to the voter list and you will receive mailed confirmation of your registration within 2-3 weeks.

Learn more about automatic voter registration.

What are the registration deadlines?

  • Ten (10) days before a state or national election
  • Ten (10) days before city or town elections, town meetings, special primaries and special elections
  • Ten (10) days before special town meetings

Pre-registering to Vote

Though you must be 18 years old in order to vote, you may pre-register to vote once you are 16 years old. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may submit a voter registration form to your local election official, who will then place your name on the list of pre-registrants. You will receive a pre-registration notice by mail, confirming receipt of your application. Pre-registration may be done online, by mail, or in person at any voter registration location (see above).

Once you become old enough to vote, your local election will mail you an acknowledgement notice, which is confirmation that your name has been moved from the list of pre-registrants to the list of registered voters. Your acknowledgement notice will include your party affiliation and the location of your polling place.

Can You Vote if You Can’t Get to the Polls on Election Day?

Absentee voting is available for all elections if you will be away from your city or town on Election Day, have a physical disability or cannot vote at the polls on Election Day due to religious beliefs.  Information on Absentee Voting can be found on the How, When and Where to Vote page of this website.

Contacts for further voter registration information: