Politics & Government

How to Register to Vote in Massachusetts

Deadline to register for State Primary is Aug. 17.

With several major elections on the horizon, we wanted to offer some quick voter registration guidelines, deadlines and information.

Who can register?

Only a person who is:

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  • a US citizen, and
  • a resident of Massachusetts, and
  • 18 years old on or before election day (must still meet registration deadlines set forth below).

How can you register to vote?

By Mail: Mail-in registration forms are widely available at locations including the Wayland Public Library, Wayland High School, Wayland Town Building lobby, and the Town Clerk's Office. You can download the form from the state election website or call 617-727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE and a form will be sent to you. YOU CANNOT REGISTER ONLINE, but you can request forms online.

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In Wayland, mail the completed form to Town Clerk Lois Toombs at:

  • Town Clerk
    41 Cochituate Road
    Wayland, MA 01778

You should receive a confirmation notice in two to three weeks. If you do not receive a confirmation notice, or wish to confirm your voter registration status, please contact the town clerk's office to verify your voting status.

In Person: Go to any registration location (Registry of Motor Vehicles or at certain state agencies - Welfare, WIC, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Department of Mental Health, Department of Mental Retardation, Military Recruitment offices, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and the Secretary of State's Office) 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 can you 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.

What to do if you've changed my address since registering?

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.

Can you register to vote before turning 18?

Yes, as long as you will be 18 on or before the next election or town meeting. However, please note that you must still register by the deadline for that meeting or election.

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.

To register to vote in person, you must appear and register at a registration location by 8 p.m. on the last day to register.

Do you need to attach identification to your voter registration form?

Yes, if you are registering to vote for the first time in Massachusetts. Because of a federal law, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 passed by Congress, if you registered to vote by mail on or after Jan. 1, 2003, you will be required to show identification when you vote for the first time in a federal election since registering by mail in 2003, or you can send in a copy of your identification with your voter registration form.

Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote, for example: a current and valid driver's license, photo identification, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address. If you send in a copy of your identification with your mail-in voter registration form, it may not be returned to you.

If you do not provide such identification, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that you may only cast a provisional ballot which will be counted later, but only after your eligibility to vote has been determined

2012 Voter Registration Deadlines

Election Type Election Date Voter Registration Deadline*


State Primary Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 State Election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012

*When registering by mail, your voter registration form must be postmarked by the deadline for you to be eligible. To register to vote in person, you must appear and register at a registration location by 8 p.m. on the last day to register. (Registration sessions will be held in cities and towns on the last day to register from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.)


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