Massvote.org provides extensive information on how to register to vote, when elections are held, how to change your registration, and much more. Below you’ll find some information about how to register that was pulled from their website.

 VOTER REGISTRATION Eligibility: · Currently living in Massachusetts. No length of stay required · A U.S. citizen. · 18 years old by the date of the next election How to Register: · Fill out a voter registration card and mail to specified address. It must be postmarked at least 20 days prior to the election. o Cards are available at local library, from a town clerk, or online o http://www.massvote.org/docs/Voting_National_Voter_Registration_Form.pdf · Visit your town hall to register When You Need an ID to Vote: · If you are a first time voter o If you are a first time voter who registered through the mail. · If you didn’t return census form o If you did not return your annual census form collected by every town and city in Massachusetts Acceptable forms of ID in MA: · Valid Photo Identification (Drivers License, State ID issued for Non-Drivers, Student ID, Passport) · Utility Bill (gas, electric, cable, oil, water -- no cell phone bills). · Recent Bank Statement · Government document like a paycheck stub You Need to Re-register if You: · Change your address · Change your name · Did not vote in two consecutive State Elections and have moved. State elections are held in every even year -- 2004, 2006, 2008 etc. If You Forget to Re-Register: · You may still at the polling place where you voted in the last election if you moved within the same city or town that you registered to vote. · If you moved to a new town or city, you may only vote at the old polling location if your move was in the six months before the election. If You Become a Citizen Less than 20 Days Prior to an Election: · As a new citizen, you may register to vote after the deadline. Go in person to the Election Department at City Hall up until 4 PM on the day before the election. You must bring your dated naturalization papers for them to copy. Choosing a Political Party, Unenrolled, or Other Designation: · Register in a Party o You may register to vote in one of the four parties in Massachusetts who have qualified for official party status--Democrat, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian or Republican. o Names and Contacts of parties and designations may be found at http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/elepar/paridx.htm · Register with No Party Affiliation o In Massachusetts, you may list yourself as "Unenrolled" which means you do not have a party designation. · Another "Political Designation" o You can also choose from a party that is not considered an official party in Massachusetts. If you choose a separate party affiliation, unlike unenrolled, you may not vote in a major party primary (Democrat, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian or Republican). Being Unenrolled: · Being unenrolled in Massachusetts means that you are registered to vote but not a member of a party · You may still vote in a Democratic, Green-Rainbow, Libertarian,or Republican primary without affecting your “unenrolled” status · The only exception is once every four years in the Presidential primary. Your party affiliation is automatically changed to the party primary you vote in. To switch back to unenrolled” you have to fill out a party change card after voting. These cards are available at every polling location in a Presidential primary. ELECTION INFORMATION: Election Frequency: · City Elections - Odd Years o Non-Partisan City elections are held in the odd years 2005, 2007, 2009, etc. The preliminary election is in September to narrow the field to two candidates per seat. The Final Runoff Election is the first Tuesday in November. · State and Federal Elections - Even Years o Massachusetts and U. S. elections are held in the even years 2004, 2006, 2008, etc. The Primary election is in September. The General election is the first Tuesday in November. Who You Can Vote For: · City Elections:* o Mayor o City Council/ Alderman o School Committee *Offices and length of term vary · State Elections: o Statewide offices--Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Secretary of State and State Auditor (4 year terms) o State Legislature--40 State Senators and 160 State Representatives (2 year terms) o Governor's Council--8 Members (2 year terms) o County Offices--District Attorney, Sheriff, Clerks of Court, County Commissioners, Registrar of Deeds, Registrar of Probate (terms vary) o Ballot Questions--Initiatives, Referenda, Constitutional Amendments, Local Advisory Public Policy Questions by House or Senate districts. · Federal Elections: o President/Vice-President (4 year term) o U.S. Senate (6 year term) o U.S. House of Representatives (2 year term) Where to Vote: · Where you vote depends on your street address. Use the link below to find out where you can vote. · http://www.wheredoivotemacom/bal/myelectioninfo.php If You Cannot Vote In Person the Day of an Election: Vote by Absentee Ballot: · Eligibility o If you will be out of your city or town on election day o Are physically unable to go the polls o Cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs How to Get an Absentee Ballot: · Apply in writing to your Election Department o Name o Address as registered o Address where you wish the absentee ballot sent o In a primary, the party ballot you want o Your signature Other Absentee Ballot Information: · A family member may apply for you. · If you wish to vote by absentee ballot for more than one election in a year you may make one application and request that ballots for all elections during that calendar year be sent to you. · If you vote by mail, make certain the application arrives at your election clerk early. Remember, the ballot must be mailed to you. · You may absentee vote in person by applying and voting at the same time for 2-3 weeks before an election. Call your election clerk to make certain that the absentee ballots are available. · You may vote at the Election Department office at City Hall or request that the ballot is mailed to you. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is noon of the day before the election.