Accessible Voting in Massachusetts
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General Election in Massachusetts
Voting Information
Visit your state Voters with Disabilities page
Phone: (617) 727-2828
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in Massachusetts
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in Massachusetts for voters with disabilities
- Sign up each year to receive a ballot by mail for all elections
- Ask about accessible vote-by-mail system
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to get assistance voting
- Other services for voters with disabilities
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 19 through November 1, early voting is available at early voting centers and at your local elections office.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations for your jurisdiction.
Find an early voting center near you.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm.
You can drop off your mail ballot at your local elections office on Election Day.
Find your polling place.
- First-time voters are asked to show identification.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Massachusetts are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
AutoMARK
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on the front of the device.
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using an AutoMARK
- Short video from Wisconsin Elections (YouTube 3:55)
- Video from NY City Board of Elections (YouTube 13:47)
|
Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by 5:00 pm on November 8.
Delvered by Election Day, November 5 for hand-delivered ballots.
How to get your ballot
- All voters can request a ballot.
- All voters are mailed a form to request a ballot.
- Voters can sign up to receive a ballot request for all elections in a year.
To get your ballot you can:
- Request a ballot online.
- Download, print, and mail a request form.
- Fill out and return the form you received in the mail.
- Return the request form by email or fax.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At a secure drop box
At your local elections office
At an early voting location
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
If you mail your ballot, make sure it is postmarked by Election Day.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Postage is pre-paid so you don't need a stamp.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is a statewide accessible vote by mail program in Massachusetts called Accessible Vote By Mail
Voters with print disabilities may use the Accessible Vote by Mail system. There are two steps: 1. Request a vote by mail ballot from your local elections office. 2. Request an Accessible Vote by Mail ballot using the online portal or a [PDF form] (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/languages/vote-by-mail-applications.htm).
You must include a signature on the application, which may be handwritten or hand-drawn using a mouse or stylus. If you cannot sign, you may type your name in the signature line or ask someone to assist you.
Your local election official will send access information for your ballot to the email address you provide. It will include a unique Access PIN to use when logging in.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by 5:00 pm on November 8.
Delvered by Election Day, November 5 for hand-delivered ballots.
Returning a printed ballot
Use the secure web portal to return the ballot. You can also let your local election office know that you would like to return your ballot by mail and they will send you a return mailing envelope.
You can return your ballot:
- By mail
- At a secure drop box
- At an early voting location
Returning your ballot electronically
You have the option for electronic ballot return:
- Through a secure portal
The systems in use in Massachusetts for accessible voting by mail are:
DemocracyLive OmniBallot Portal
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Delivers and returns ballot through a secure online portal.
Creates a paper facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot for tabulation.
Voters have the option to print and mail their ballot.
Claims WCAG 2.0 Level AA accessibility.
Learn more about using Omni Ballot
- Democracy Live Website
- Short tutorial from Democracy Live (YouTube :30)
- Electronic return process from Democracy Live (YouTube 11:28)
Learn more about accessible voting options in Massachusetts