Mail-in voting information for the City of Boston
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If you are a registered voter in Boston, you can vote by mail in the 2020 Elections.
All Massachusetts registered voters have received a vote-by-mail application in their mailboxes for the State Primary and the State Election. The application is in a postcard format. To vote by mail in the State Election, voters must complete, sign and return the prepaid postcard application to the Boston Election Department by Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
If you never received the application, we have information below about how you can apply.
You do not need an excuse to vote by mail this year. The state's website has more information on mail-in voting:
How to apply
Through the state's website, you can apply to vote by mail online:
DOWNLOADIf you want to mail or fax your application, you can download one:
Elections Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov
Fax: 617-635-4483
If you want to drop off your application to our office at City Hall, use the Election Department dropbox located on the third floor. City Hall is open for you to use the dropbox Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Applications to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by Wednesday, October 28, for the State Election on Tuesday, November 3. If you're planning to vote by mail and you haven't already applied, the Postal Service recommends you apply by Tuesday, October 20, to ensure you receive your ballot in time.
Tracking your ballotMassachusetts voters can track their ballot request, whether requested by mail or online, through the state's website. We will start mailing out ballots by early October. We will continue to mail ballots as applications arrive, until the application deadline of October 28, 2020.
Complete your ballot
UPDATE: The state has asked that on Halloween this Saturday, October 31, ballot dropboxes across the state are emptied and locked by 5 p.m. until Sunday morning because of security concerns. If you plan to drop off your ballot in one of our dropboxes this weekend, please do so on Saturday morning or Sunday.
We will start mailing out ballots by early October and will continue to mail ballots as applications arrive, until the application deadline of October 28, 2020. If you're planning to vote by mail and you haven't already applied, the Postal Service recommends you apply by Tuesday, October 20, to ensure you receive your ballot in time.
You can mail the ballot to the address on the 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 at 617-635-8683 before Election Day if you haven't seen movement in the tracker.
If you plan to return your ballot in person instead of mailing it, we will have dedicated dropboxes available across the City, including two at Boston City Hall, starting on October 17. You have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to drop off your ballot. When installed, our dropboxes will be monitored by surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week leading up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You can also drop off your ballot at any early voting location during the City's early voting period. You can view a list of dropbox locations and a map below.
If you bring a mail-in ballot to your polling location on Election Day, you will be provided with the opportunity to cast your vote in-person at that polling location. A poll worker will help you to ensure that your mail-in ballot is spoiled before casting the in-person vote.

Map of dropbox locations
List of ballot dropbox locations
Dropbox listLocation | Neighborhood | Date and time |
---|---|---|
Allston/ Brighton |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Allston/ Brighton |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Back Bay/ Bay Village |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Charlestown |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Chinatown-Leather District |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Dorchester |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Dorchester |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Dorchester |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Dorchester | Thursday, October 22: 12 - 8 p.m. | |
Dorchester | Thursday, October 29: 12 - 8 p.m. | |
Downtown |
Monday, October 19: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 20: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 21: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, October 22: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, October 23: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, October 26: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 27: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 28: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, October 29: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, October 30: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
|
East Boston |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 20: 12 - 8 p.m. |
|
Fenway |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Hyde Park |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Hyde Park | Tuesday, October 27: 12 - 8 p.m. | |
Jamaica Plain |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Mattapan |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Mattapan | Thursday, October 29: 12 - 8 p.m. | |
Roslindale |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Roxbury |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Roxbury |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Roxbury | Tuesday, October 20: 12 - 8 p.m. | |
Roxbury |
Thursday, October 22: 12 - 8 p.m. Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
Seaport |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
South Boston |
Saturday, October 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
West Roxbury |
Saturday, October 17: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
|
West Roxbury | Tuesday, October 27: 12 - 8 p.m. |
Our dropboxes will be available starting on October 17. Our dropboxes will be monitored by surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week leading up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Location | Neighborhood | Hours |
---|---|---|
Allston/ Brighton |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Allston/ Brighton |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Back Bay/ Bay Village |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Charlestown |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Dorchester |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Dorchester |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Downtown |
Available seven days a week through 8 p.m. on November 3. Two dropboxes available, one at the Congress Street entrance and one at the City Hall Plaza entrance. The dropbox at the City Hall Plaza entrance is currently available. |
|
East Boston |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Hyde Park |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Jamaica Plain |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Mattapan |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Roslindale |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Roxbury |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
Roxbury |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
South Boston |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
|
West Roxbury |
The dropbox will be available seven days a week up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. |
Keep in mind
If you have already applied for an Absentee Ballot, you do not need to fill out an application for a mail-in ballot.
In-person votingSome voters are concerned that mail-in voting will be their only option for voting in the 2020 State Primaries and the General Election. The Boston Election Department would like to reassure voters that in-person voting will remain an option for all 255 precincts.
Covid-19 Precautions for In-Person VotingWe are in the process of recruiting about 1800 poll workers to serve on Election Day. All poll workers are required to attend a 2.5-hour training on election laws and procedures. This year's poll worker training will include COVID-19 Protocols on social distancing, sanitizing procedures, and the proper use of personal protective equipment .
For convenience and to reduce crowding, early voting will be available in the City of Boston:
- General Election: Saturday, October 17, through Friday, October 30
Common questions
QuestionsYes, every registered voter is eligible to vote by mail this year.
What if I am not registered?You need to be a registered voter to vote by mail. The deadline to register to vote in the State Election is October 24. You can register online, by mail, or in person at Boston City Hall.
Can I register to vote and apply for my ballot at the same time?Yes. As long as your registration form is received or postmarked by the tenth day before the election, your application can be submitted with your registration form. For the November 3 State Election, that date is Saturday, October 24.
What if I'm not sure where I'm registered?Before you fill out your mail-in ballot application, use the state's website to confirm that you're registered at your current address.
What if I'm still registered at an old address?If the voter registration deadline hasn't passed yet, you should register to vote at your current address. If there isn't time to update your address, you should apply using your old address where you are registered to vote if:
- you have moved within the same city or town where you are registered, OR
- you have moved to a new city or town in Massachusetts within six months of the election.
When you apply online, or by mailing a paper application, you can request that your ballot is sent to your new address.
If you are a registered Boston voter, submit a 2020 vote-by-mail application by mail, email, fax, to the Boston Election Department:
Election Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov
Fax: 617-635-4483
You can also apply online through the state's mail-in ballot application system. You will then be mailed a ballot to vote and return.
How soon do I need to apply for my ballot?You should apply as soon as possible. We need to receive your application at least four business days before Election Day. Remember that it can take up to a week for the mail to be delivered in one direction, so it's best to try to apply at least two to three weeks before the election.
What if I can't print the Vote-by-Mail Application?Applications can be submitted online through the state's mail-in ballot application system. If you prefer to apply by mail, any written request is acceptable, as long as it is signed. You can write a letter to our office that says you want a ballot:
Election Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Make sure to include your name, address, and where to mail your ballot.
Where do I send my application?If you are a registered Boston voter, send your application to our office:
Election Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Email: absenteevoter@boston.gov
Fax: 617-635-4483
Yes, but the application needs to be signed. You can either:
- sign your application by hand and email an image of your application to your local election office, or
- sign your name using a mouse, stylus, or finger and then send that saved application to your local election office.
Typed signatures are not acceptable. Alternatively, you may submit your application online through the state's mail-in ballot application system.
Can I fax my application?Yes. If you have access to a fax machine, you can fax your application to our office: 617-635-4483
Can I sign my application digitally?Yes, but your signature has to be similar to your hand-written signature. You can sign your name on a computer or phone using a mouse, finger, or stylus. Typed signatures are not acceptable. Alternatively, you may submit your application online via the state's mail-in ballot application system.
How do I know if my application was received?You can use the state's website to track your mail-in ballot. If your application is marked as "Pending," that means your application has been received and your ballot will be mailed out as soon as it is ready. If the website can't find a record for you, that may mean that your application hasn't been received yet and you should call us at 617-635-8683.
Do you need an accessible ballot?A voter with a disability may request an accessible mail-in ballot. This request must be submitted to the accessible vote-by-mail coordinator in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office at 1-800-462-VOTE/TTY: 1-800-720-3480 from 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You can use the state's website to track your mail-in ballot. If the ballot has already been mailed, you will be able see the date is was mailed. If the website can't find a record for you, that may mean that your application hasn't been received yet and you should call us at 617-635-8683.
If I vote by mail, can I change my mind and vote in person?It depends. If you mailed your early ballot back and it was accepted by our office, then your ballot is considered to be cast and you can't vote again. If your ballot never reached our office — or if it was rejected for some reason — then you can vote in person.
What if I need assistance in voting?If you need assistance voting because you have a physical disability or you have difficulty reading your ballot, you can ask any other person to assist you in marking your ballot in your presence. If you cannot sign your name on the ballot envelope, the person assisting you should sign your name in the space provided for the voter's signature. They should then provide their own information in the space provided for the assisting person. If you need an accommodation because of a physical disability, you may apply to the state's Elections Division.
Can someone else fill out my ballot for me if I am not home?No. Only you can fill out your ballot and sign your ballot envelope, unless you are unable to do so because of physical disability or inability to read your ballot. All help must be provided in your presence. You can, however, have a ballot mailed to you wherever you are.
If I apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, does that mean I can't vote in person?No. You can vote in person as long as you haven't already voted by mail. If you choose not to return your mail-in ballot, you can vote in person on Election Day or during early voting. You can also vote in person if you mail your ballot and it does not reach your election office by Election Day, or if your mail-in ballot is rejected for any reason.
If you don't feel comfortable mailing your ballot, we have dropboxes located across the City that will be available until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can also drop off your ballot at any early voting location during the early voting period.
Maybe. First-time voters in Massachusetts are sometimes required by federal law to present ID showing their name and the address where they registered to vote. If you are required to show ID, we will send you a notice with your ballot. Make sure you send a copy of your ID on the outside of your ballot envelope, because the ballot envelope can't be opened until it is time to count the ballots.
How can I return my ballot?You can return you ballot by mail or in person. If you are mailing your ballot, use the return envelope that was provided with the ballot, which is pre-addressed and pre-stamped for your convenience. If you don't want to mail your ballot, you can drop if off at any of the dropboxes located across the City of Boston through 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020, as well as at an early voting location during the early voting period. You may also return your ballot to City Hall, which is currently open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Our dropboxes will be available starting on October 17. They will monitored by surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week leading up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
When do I need to return my ballot?For the State Election, if you're mailing your ballot, it needs to be postmarked by November 3 and it must reach us by November 6. If you're hand-delivering your State Election ballot to us or dropping it in a drop-box, it needs to be returned by 8 p.m. on November 3.
Can I track my ballot?Yes, you can track your ballot on the state's website. This page will show you:
- if your application has been received
- the date your ballot is mailed
- the date your ballot is received at your local election office, and
- whether your ballot is accepted or rejected.
For the State Election, ballots mailed from inside the country must be postmarked by November 3 and arrive by November 6 to be counted. If you mail your ballot from outside the country, it has until November 13 to arrive, but it must still be postmarked by Election Day. If you think your ballot may not arrive in time to be counted, consider returning it by hand-delivery or voting in person.
How do I know my ballot was counted?Your ballot will be counted in a public space, either at your polling place or at a central tabulation facility in Boston. You can use the state's website to confirm your ballot was accepted.
Why was my ballot rejected?If your ballot was rejected, it is most likely because you did not sign the affidavit on your ballot envelope. Your local election official will notify you if your ballot is rejected and the reason it was rejected. If there is enough time left before the election, you will also be sent a new ballot. You will also have the option of voting in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.