Voter Information

For Voter Information in

Essex, contact the Town Clerk's Office at 978-768-7111

Gloucester, contact the City Clerk's Office at 978-281-9720

Manchester-by-the Sea, contact the Town Clerk's Office at 978-526-2030

Rockport, contact the Town Clerk's Office at 978-546-6894

To find your polling place, go to www.wheredoivotema.com

Who may register?

Only a person who is:

•a US citizen, and

•a resident of Massachusetts, and

•18 years old on or before election day

How can I register to vote?

By Mail: Mail-in registration forms are widely available. To obtain a mail-in registration form please click here, or call 617-727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE and a form will be sent to you. Mail the completed form to your local city or town hall. You should receive a confirmation notice in 2 to 3 weeks. If you do not, please contact your local election office to verify your voting status.

In Person: Go to any registration location and complete an affidavit of registration, which must be answered truthfully under the penalty of perjury. The questions on the affidavit will include your name, residence and date of birth.

At the Registry of Motor Vehicles: Keep your motor voter receipt until you receive confirmation from your local election official. If you do not receive any confirmation, please contact your local election office to verify your voting status.

When and where may I register?

There is no waiting period to be eligible to register to vote. If you move, you may register to vote as soon as you move into your new home.

You may register to vote:

•in person or by mail, by completing a mail-in registration form and delivering it to your city or town election office, or

•at any local election office in any city or town in the state and at any registration event you encounter anywhere in Massachusetts, or

•when applying for or renewing your driver's license at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or when applying for service at a designated voter registration agency.

Registration forms are also available at all colleges, universities, high schools and vocational schools.

What must I do if I've changed my address since I registered?

If you have moved within the same city or town, notify your local election office of your new address in writing. If you have moved to a new city or town, you must register again.

Are there deadlines for registration?

Yes. In order to vote you must be registered:

•20 days before all primaries and elections, and/or

•10 days before a special town meeting.

What should I do if I registered to vote and I have not heard from my local election official?

If you have NOT received confirmation of your voter status from your city or town election official within 2 or 3 weeks from the date you registered please contact your local election office to verify your voting status.

I can't get to the polls on election day. Can I vote?

Yes. You may vote by absentee ballot if you:

•will be absent from your city or town on election day, and/or

•have a physical disability that prevents your voting at the polling place, and/or

•cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs.

How can I apply for an absentee ballot?

Apply in writing to your city or town clerk or election commission and include your:

•name,

•address as registered,

•ward and precinct (if you know them),

•address where you wish the absentee ballot sent,

•in a primary, the party ballot you want, and

•your signature.

There is an application form available at your local election office or by downloading one of the applications below. You may also make application by letter or note. Whichever method you choose, the application must be made in writing and signed.

Absentee Ballot Applications

If you do not have a pdf reader, please download and install Acrobat Reader in order to view and print the following applications.

Absentee Ballot Application (PDF, 440k)

For more information visit www.sec.state.ma.us/ele