You must be registered in order to vote absentee. Those outside of Massachusetts and members of the armed forces or merchant marine, or their spouses or dependents, do not need to be registered in order to vote absentee. You must apply in writing to the city or town clerk or election commission, either in a letter or by filling out an application form. If you wish to vote absentee for more than one election in a year, you may make one application and ask that ballots for all elections in that calendar year be sent to you. If you are unable to go to the polls on Election Day, you may go to the city or town clerk's, fill out an absentee ballot application and vote there at the same time.
Ballots are generally available at the clerk's office approximately three weeks before an election.
A family member of a person who is registered to vote in Massachusetts may apply to the city or town where that person is registered for an absentee ballot for that voter. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is noon on the day before an election, if you are both applying and voting in person. Absentee ballots are generally available three weeks before an election. If you are planning to vote in the clerk's office, you may be able to apply for an absentee ballot and vote in the same visit. The ballot must be received in the clerk's office before the close of the polls on Election Day.