Voter Registration

How to register to vote:

There are several ways to register to vote: 

You can register to vote on-line at the following link https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/  (You must have a Massachusetts drivers license or a State ID. 

You can download a voter registration form at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm and mail it to us or drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office at the Municipal Center at 10 Mechanic Street. There’s a secure blue box next to the front door of the Municipal Center and you may also drop your form there or hand it to us.

Any resident over age 16 may pre-register to vote. If you’re pre-registered, you’ll automatically be registered when you turn 18.

Do I need identification to register to vote?

 You do not need to show identification to register to vote. However, you are required to provide identification information on the form; either the last four digits of your social security number, your Massachusetts driver’s license number or Massachusetts State ID number. If you do not have that information when you register to vote you will be asked to show identification at the polls the first time that you vote in that location. The identification required at the polls must include the address at which you are registered. You may only register to vote on-line if you have a valid MA driver’s license or State ID.

Do I need to show ID at the polls?

 Massachusetts does not have a voter ID law. The only time that you will be asked for identification is if you are a first-time voter and did not provide identification information at the time you registered to vote or if you are an inactive voter. A voter 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 that they live at the address at which they are registered, and they will be asked to sign an affirmation of continuous residency. If you want to make sure that you are an active voter, you may call the Town Clerk's office at (508) 657-2830 and any member of the staff will be able to help you. You may change your voter status from inactive to active by re-registering to vote or completing the Annual Town Census. 

My last residence is Bellingham and I am on active military duty, how can I vote?

 Citizens who are members of the military and are on active duty may vote as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website has detailed voting information for members of the military at the following link: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

I am a US citizen but live outside the continental United States, how can I vote?

 The link below has very detailed information regarding voting for citizens who live either permanently or temporarily outside of the country and for voting for members of the military and their families: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

How do I apply for an absentee or mail in ballot?

Absentee or Vote-by-mail ballots are not automatically sent. They must be applied for through the Town Clerk’s office. Please see the links to the side to download the forms and forward to the Clerk’s office.

How can I vote if I didn't receive my mail in ballot?

 If you have not received your mail in ballot, you can apply for an absentee ballot application if applicable, by noon the day before the election, or vote at the polls.

Can I vote at the polls if I didn't return my mail in ballot?

 Yes, if we have not received your mail in ballot, come to the polls to vote in person. 

How do I know if I am registered to vote?

 If you recently registered to vote you should have, or will receive, a confirmation notice from the Town Clerk’s office confirming your registration and indicating your polling location. If you are not sure if you received a confirmation notice, you may check a your voting status using the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx or call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 657- 2830 and any member of the staff will be able to help you.  

What are the instructions for a vote by mail ballot (early or absentee)?

 All mail in ballots include the following:

How to register to vote:

There are several ways to register to vote: 

You can register to vote on-line at the following link https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ (You must have a Massachusetts drivers license or a State ID.
You can download a voter registration form at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm and mail it to us or drop it off at the Town Clerk’s office at the Municipal Center at 10 Mechanic Street. There’s a secure blue box next to the front door of the Municipal Center and you may also drop your form there or hand it to us. 
Any resident over age 16 may pre-register to vote. If you’re pre-registered, you’ll automatically be registered when you turn 18.

Do I need identification to register to vote?

 You do not need to show identification to register to vote. However, you are required to provide identification information on the form; either the last four digits of your social security number, your Massachusetts driver’s license number or Massachusetts State ID number. If you do not have that information when you register to vote you will be asked to show identification at the polls the first time that you vote in that location. The identification required at the polls must include the address at which you are registered. You may only register to vote on-line if you have a valid MA driver’s license or State ID.

Do I need to show ID at the polls?

 Massachusetts does not have a voter ID law. The only time that you will be asked for identification is if you are a first-time voter and did not provide identification information at the time you registered to vote or if you are an inactive voter. A voter 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 that they live at the address at which they are registered, and they will be asked to sign an affirmation of continuous residency. If you want to make sure that you are an active voter, you may call the Town Clerk's office at (508) 657-2830 and any member of the staff will be able to help you. You may change your voter status from inactive to active by re-registering to vote or completing the Annual Town Census. 

My last residence is Bellingham and I am on active military duty, how can I vote?

 Citizens who are members of the military and are on active duty may vote as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website has detailed voting information for members of the military at the following link: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

I am a US citizen but live outside the continental United States, how can I vote?

 The link below has very detailed information regarding voting for citizens who live either permanently or temporarily outside of the country and for voting for members of the military and their families: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm 

How do I apply for an absentee or mail in ballot?

Absentee or Vote-by-mail ballots are not automatically sent. They must be applied for through the Town Clerk’s office. Please see the links to the side to download the forms and forward to the Clerk’s office.

How can I vote if I didn't receive my mail in ballot?

 If you have not received your mail in ballot, you can apply for an absentee ballot application if applicable, by noon the day before the election, or vote at the polls.

Can I vote at the polls if I didn't return my mail in ballot?

 Yes, if we have not received your mail in ballot, come to the polls to vote in person. 

How do I know if I am registered to vote? 

If you recently registered to vote you should have, or will receive, a confirmation notice from the Town Clerk’s office confirming your registration and indicating your polling location. If you are not sure if you received a confirmation notice, you may check a your voting status using the following link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx or call the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 657- 2830 and any member of the staff will be able to help you.  

 What are the instructions for a vote by mail ballot (early or absentee)?

 All mail in ballots include the following:

Instructions for filling out the ballot.  
Please use black or blue ink to assure that the vote tabulator will read the ballot. 
Do not use red ink or pencil.

The ballot:

An inner envelope which says either "ABSENTEE BALLOT ENVELOPE" or "EARLY BALLOT ENVELOPE" THIS MUST BE SIGNED.  (If it is not signed it will be rejected and not counted)
A white postage pre-paid envelope to return the ballot by mail if you want or need to mail it back. 
Ballots may also be dropped off at the Municipal Center.
There will be a ballot drop box at the front of the building until 8:00 pm on election day.