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davis_squareThe deadline to register to vote in Massachusetts is fast approaching, so I figured I'd send out instructions on how to do so.
You can read more here, as well: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm
There are two ways to register, by mail or in person. You can also register at the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles), but I do not recommend it.
Registering in person:
Go to your city or town's election office during business hours and register. It may be helpful to bring proof of residency, but it is not required.
Somerville city offices are open late on Thursdays, until 7:30, and the election office is open until 8 on Wednesday the 17th! Elections is in ground floor of City Hall, at the intersection of Highland and School streets. http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections
Info on other city's election departments can be found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm
Every city and town office in the state will be open until 8 on the 17th to accept last minute registrations.
Registering by mail:
- Download and print a registration form, ideally using a double sided printer, though you can tape the two pages together if you don't have one.
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2012-Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf
- Complete the form, fold it in half, tape it, stamp it and mail it to your town hall.
- Look for a confirmation in the mail in the next couple weeks, it will tell you if you a required to bring id to the polls, if they couldn't confirm your driver's license or social security number. Valid id for voting in Massachusetts is anything preprinted with your name and the address at which you are registered. No photo is required. Most voters need not show any id. (Note: a passport does not have your current address.)
- If you do not receive a confirmation, call your election officials.
You should also be able to get physical copies of the registration form at libraries, city offices, post offices, etc, though I would call ahead to make sure they have some. You can also request that state mail you a form, but there may not be enough time for it to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I changed my address on the RMV website. Did they switch my voter registration too?
A. No! You can only register to vote at the RMV in person, and only if you checked the right box, and only if they entered the data correctly. In the words of Louise McCarthy of Somerville elections, "If I made as many mistakes at my job as they do at theirs, I would be fired." So if you think you registered at the RMV, please, please, please, call your election officials and make sure that you're actually registered!!!
Q. I moved recently, can I vote at my old address?
A. Maybe. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Was I registered to vote at my last address?
If you move a lot, your registration might be two or three houses ago.
- Did I move from the last place I registered within six months of the election? OR Do I still live in the same city or town?
If the answer is yes to either question, you may vote at your old address, though I still recommend re-registering or, at a minimum, calling the election officials of your old city or town, and make sure you're on their lists. If they have you as "inactive" you will have to sign an affirmation that you either still live in the same town or moved within the last 6 months.
Here is a copy of the form you would have to sign, make sure that it is true: (where Springfield would be replaced by the name of your old town)
http://www3.springfield-ma.gov/elections/fileadmin/user_upload/Warden_Handbook_app_E.pdf
You can read more here, as well: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm
There are two ways to register, by mail or in person. You can also register at the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles), but I do not recommend it.
Registering in person:
Go to your city or town's election office during business hours and register. It may be helpful to bring proof of residency, but it is not required.
Somerville city offices are open late on Thursdays, until 7:30, and the election office is open until 8 on Wednesday the 17th! Elections is in ground floor of City Hall, at the intersection of Highland and School streets. http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections
Info on other city's election departments can be found here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm
Every city and town office in the state will be open until 8 on the 17th to accept last minute registrations.
Registering by mail:
- Download and print a registration form, ideally using a double sided printer, though you can tape the two pages together if you don't have one.
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2012-Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf
- Complete the form, fold it in half, tape it, stamp it and mail it to your town hall.
- Look for a confirmation in the mail in the next couple weeks, it will tell you if you a required to bring id to the polls, if they couldn't confirm your driver's license or social security number. Valid id for voting in Massachusetts is anything preprinted with your name and the address at which you are registered. No photo is required. Most voters need not show any id. (Note: a passport does not have your current address.)
- If you do not receive a confirmation, call your election officials.
You should also be able to get physical copies of the registration form at libraries, city offices, post offices, etc, though I would call ahead to make sure they have some. You can also request that state mail you a form, but there may not be enough time for it to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I changed my address on the RMV website. Did they switch my voter registration too?
A. No! You can only register to vote at the RMV in person, and only if you checked the right box, and only if they entered the data correctly. In the words of Louise McCarthy of Somerville elections, "If I made as many mistakes at my job as they do at theirs, I would be fired." So if you think you registered at the RMV, please, please, please, call your election officials and make sure that you're actually registered!!!
Q. I moved recently, can I vote at my old address?
A. Maybe. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Was I registered to vote at my last address?
If you move a lot, your registration might be two or three houses ago.
- Did I move from the last place I registered within six months of the election? OR Do I still live in the same city or town?
If the answer is yes to either question, you may vote at your old address, though I still recommend re-registering or, at a minimum, calling the election officials of your old city or town, and make sure you're on their lists. If they have you as "inactive" you will have to sign an affirmation that you either still live in the same town or moved within the last 6 months.
Here is a copy of the form you would have to sign, make sure that it is true: (where Springfield would be replaced by the name of your old town)
http://www3.springfield-ma.gov/elections/fileadmin/user_upload/Warden_Handbook_app_E.pdf
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no subject
Date: 2012-10-10 01:07 am (UTC)URGENT:
Volunteers Needed to Help Process Voter Registrations
The 2008 election set an all-time record for new voter registrations, but this year we may just match it. New registrations are pouring in. Volunteers are urgently needed to help with sorting and filing. If interested, please contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov