How to Vote by Absentee Ballot

You can vote by absentee ballot if you can’t go to the polls on Election Day. There are two ways to apply for a ballot.

You can request an absentee ballot for yourself, or have a family member request an absentee ballot for you.

Are you a Massachusetts citizen living outside of the U.S.? The federal government has a separate application and process that you need to complete. Please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website for more information.

Please note:

For the State Primaries, we must receive your application by 5 p.m. on the fifth business day before election day:

• State Election deadline: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

If you're requesting an absentee ballot for yourself, please fill out an application:

• 2024 Absentee Ballot Application (English) / Solicitud oficial Para Votar En Ausencia de 2024 (Español)
• 2024 Absentee Ballot Application (English) / Đơn Xin Lá Phiếu Vắng Mặt Chính Thức Năm 2024 (Tiếng Việt)
• 2024 Absentee Ballot Application / 2023 官⽅缺席選票申請 (中文)

Mail your completed application to:

Boston Election Department

1 City Hall Square, Room 241

Boston, MA 02201

The recently adopted Votes Act is now providing postage paid envelopes for the return of the applications, as well as voted ballots.

We’ll send you an Absentee Ballot in the mail with a set of return envelopes. You can mail the ballot to the address on the *postage paid envelope. Please submit your completed ballot as soon as possible. You can track your ballot through the state's website. Make sure to call the Elections Department before Election Day if you haven't seen movement in the tracker.

Plan to return your ballot in person?

• If you plan to return your ballot in person instead of mailing it, we have dedicated drop boxes throughout the City. You have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to drop off your ballot. Please note: Ballots CANNOT be dropped off at polling locations on Election Day.
• If a voter brings an absentee ballot to their polling location on Election Day, they will be provided with the opportunity to cast their vote in-person at that polling location. A poll worker will help them in ensuring that their mail-in ballot is spoiled before casting the in-person vote.