city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

guide

Voting in Boston

Last updated:

Get information on your voting location, election results, and more.

New City of Boston Precinct Lines

New polling locations are in place in the City of Boston. The new precinct structure focuses on equity across voting populations in each precinct to reduce wait times and increase access.

Register to vote

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. Don't know if you're registered? Look up your voter registration status.

Register to vote

Identification requirements

Contact: Elections

You may be asked to show identification when you check-in at your polling place if:

  • you are voting for the first time in Mass. in a federal election
  • you are an inactive voter
  • you are casting a provisional or challenged ballot, or
  • a poll worker has a reasonable suspicion that leads them to request your identification.

You aren't required to show a photo ID. You can learn more about acceptable identification on the state's website.

Learn More about identifications

Find your polling location

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Voters in line when the polls close at 8 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

Polling location search

Absentee ballots

Contact: Elections

Certain registered Massachusetts voters can vote by absentee ballot if they can’t get to the polls on Election Day. After you submit your ballot, you can track it online.

Registered voters can use an absentee ballot if:
  • they’re going to be out of town during polling hours on Election Day
  • they have a physical disability and can't get to the voting location, or
  • they can't vote at the polls because of their religious beliefs.
Non-registered voters can use an absentee ballot if:
  • they are a Massachusetts citizen, but they won’t be in the state
  • they are an active member of the military (this includes their spouses or dependents), or
  • they are in prison or jail on a non-felony conviction.

Get help

Contact: Elections

If you feel that your right to vote has been violated in any way, call the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Elections Division at 1-800-462-8683.

Departments You May Need

Back to top