Mass. election 2024: Everything you need to know to vote 

From voting for the next president to ballot questions about important local issues, Massachusetts voters will soon get the chance to weigh in on Nov. 5, as the country heads to the polls for the general election. Here’s what you need to know to cast your ballot.

Important dates

Mark these key dates on your calendar:

• Oct. 26, 2024: Deadline to register to vote 
• Oct. 29, 2024: Deadline to apply for vote by mail 
• Nov. 5, 2024: General election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early voting also takes place in the weeks before, but exact dates vary by municipality.

How to register to vote

The first step to vote in the general presidential election is to make sure you are registered. If you have never registered before, want to switch political parties, recently became a citizen or if you’ve moved since the last time you voted, even if it’s within the same district, you need to register to vote.

You can register to vote online, by mail or in person. Learn more here to access the necessary forms, or check with your local election office. You’ll need to provide a driver’s license, state ID or social security number to register, or you may be asked, in certain situations such as if it’s your first time voting, to show documents with your name such as a bank statement or utility bill when you go to vote in-person.

When you register to vote, you’ll be asked if you want to enroll in a party or stay unenrolled.

Anyone can register, as long as you are:

• 18 years old, or will be 18 by the time of the election (you can pre-register when you’re 16)
• A U.S. citizen and resident of Massachusetts
• Not currently incarcerated for a felony 

If you’re doing certain things at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or MassHealth, such as applying to renew your driver’s license or applying for MassHealth benefits, you may be automatically registered to vote. But if you’ve moved recently, you still need to re-register.

Deadlines: You must register by Oct. 26 for the general election.

Issues, ballot questions and candidates on your ballot

Massachusetts voters will be casting votes for president, as well as U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor’s councilor, state senator, state representative, clerk of courts, register of deeds and various other local offices.

President

Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic candidate for president and her running mate is Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. President Joe Biden endorsed Harris after he exited the race in July. Harris previously served as a U.S. senator and the attorney general of California.

In her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Harris pushed her vision of an “opportunity economy” and called for more optimism. “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward — not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans,” she said.

Former President Donald Trump is running on the Republican side and his running mate is U.S. Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio politician who emerged on the national stage after writing the bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy.” In his speech accepting the nomination at the Republican National Convention, just under a week after an assassination attempt, Trump said, “Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again. ... No nation will question our power. No enemy will doubt our might. Our borders will be totally secure. Our economy will soar. We will return law and order to our streets, patriotism to our schools, and importantly, we will restore peace, stability and harmony all throughout the world.”

In addition to Trump and Harris, Massachusetts voters will see candidates representing four other parties on their ballot: Shiva Ayyadurai, an independent, Jill Stein from the Green-Rainbow Party, Claudia De la Cruz from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Libertarian Chase Oliver.

U.S. Senator

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is running for reelection, and has emphasized the importance of keeping Democratic control. “The Republican efforts in the House and the Senate to have a nationwide abortion ban will have new life. It means cuts to Medicare and Social Security will be back on the table. And it means that billionaires will get even more tax cuts,” Warren said on GBH’s Boston Public Radio.

John Deaton, a former U.S. Marine and cryptocurrency attorney, is running for the Senate seat as a Republican. He has said Warren is more “loyal to the Democratic Party” than her constituents, and that he would be an “independent voice” in Congress who is willing to break with his party on some issues.

Warren and Deaton will face each other at a GBH News/New England Public Media debate on Oct. 17.

Ballot questions

Question 1 has been spearheaded by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio. If passed, it would expand the auditor’s investigative power and allow her office to audit the Massachusetts Legislature.

Question 2 concerns the MCAS exam. If passed, this measure would remove the graduation requirement for Massachusetts public school students to pass the 10th grade exam. Students would still take the exam, but schools would use their own graduation criteria. The Massachusetts Teachers Union is pushing the measure, arguing that standardized tests aren’t the best way to measure students’ abilities. Some parents’ groups oppose the measure, saying that it helps ensure that high standards are met by all students.

Question 3 would allow rideshare drivers at companies like Uber and Lyft to form unions and push for better wages and working conditions. Several unions like Local 32BJ are supporters of the measure. Some opponents say it could increase the cost of rides. This measure would not apply to other gig workers like DoorDash and InstaCart.

Question 4 would legalize some natural psychedelics, like psilocybin. It would allow people to grow them at home, and create ways for adults to take them under professional supervision. Advocates say psychedelics help with conditions like depression and PTSD. Opponents say the way the measure is written doesn’t provide enough specific standards for the treatment facilities or home cultivation, and it could be very expensive for people who want to use the products.

Question 5 would increase the base pay for tipped workers in Massachusetts, implemented gradually over five years until their wage reaches the state’s minimum wage. Customers would still be able to leave tips. Proponents say a higher tipped wage would help tipped workers like servers have more stable incomes, and potentially equalize pay between “front of house” and “back of house” workers. Opponents include tipped workers who worry they would receive fewer tips and less pay overall. Some restaurants say that menu prices may go up to compensate for the higher wages, or they may have lower profits.

You can preview your ballot here.

Your options for voting

Once you’ve registered and done your research on the issues and candidates, it’s time to vote.

Absentee voting and vote by mail

If you won’t be home on Election Day, are serving in the military or living overseas, are currently incarcerated, or you have religious beliefs or a disability that prevent you from voting in person at your polling place, you may be eligible to vote with an absentee ballot. You can apply by mail, email or fax through your local election office. You’d be using the same ballots as voters who vote by mail and need to meet the same deadlines.

All other voters are entitled to vote by mail for any reason, as long as you’re already registered to vote. Every Massachusetts resident should be sent an application in the mail before the election. You can also apply online.

Deadlines: You must apply to vote absentee or by mail no later than Oct. 29.

Officials urge voters to apply as early as they can to allow enough time for the mail to arrive. While you’re waiting, you can use the online ballot tracker to follow the status of your ballot.

You can also choose to return your mail-in ballots in person at your city or town’s local election office or ballot drop boxes — but not your polling location on Election Day. View Boston’s locations around the city.

Early voting

If you prefer to vote in person, you can get a head start and vote early, no reason needed. Early voting will take place in Boston from Saturday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Nov. 1. You don’t need to vote at your designated polling location, unlike on Election Day. Locations will be announced soon.

Vote in person on Election Day

You can always vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling location here and view your ballot.

In most cases, you will not be asked to show an ID to vote. There are only some cases, like if you’re voting for the first time, that a poll worker may ask to see your ID. Your proof of identification can be a license, recent utility bill or a copy of your rental lease.

How to vote if you’re a college student

If you’re a college student in Massachusetts, you have a choice on where you vote: at your permanent address in your home state, or at your student address, whether it’s an off-campus address or a dorm. Registering to vote on your campus address does not impact your financial aid or your parents’ tax dependent status. Just remember you can only be registered at one address, and you need to re-register every time you change addresses.

If you do want to vote at your college address, follow all of the above steps to register before Election Day.

If you want to vote at your permanent address, you probably have to vote absentee, so check with your home election office and make sure you apply for a ballot early.

Many colleges in the state, including UMass, provide resources and host registration drives to help students get involved in the democratic process in the leadup to an election, so check with your school.

How to vote if you have a disability

Massachusetts requires that all polling locations are physically accessible, which should include accessible parking and entrances. Poll workers should be trained to assist voters with disabilities. Every location should have an AutoMARK voting machine for voters to cast their ballot independently. You also have the right to bring someone with you to help in any part of voting.

Voters with disabilities are entitled to request an accessible ballot when you fill out the application to vote by mail. Voters with disabilities also now have the option to submit their ballot electronically.