Explaining the Mail-In Voter Registration Form

Please note: You must use an official form; do not use a photocopy

This explains the form line by line:

1. You MUST check the boxes that apply to you. If you check “no” to either of the questions, do not complete this form.
   
   

   Please Print:
   

2. Give your full name - write your last name, then your first name, then your middle name or initial. Circle Miss, Ms., Mrs., Mr., Jr., II, III, IV.
   
3. If you have married since you registered and are using your spouse's name, or if you have legally changed your name, give your former name.
   
4. You MUST put down your full street address where you NOW live.
   If you live in a dormitory or shelter, you must give the street address and city or town, not just the name of the dorm or shelter.
   The election officials need to know the street and city and town where you actually live in order to check your name against the street list. (A post office box where you get your mail could be in another town.)
   
   Note: If you are a college student from another state and have a state scholarship, you could lose it if you declare your residence is Massachusetts. Be sure to check the terms of your scholarship.
   Note: If you are homeless at the present, you can give your former address.
   
5. If you receive your mail at an address that is different than #4, such as a post office box or business location, you must give that so your election officials can send you a notice that you are registered.
   
6. Give the month, the day, and the year when you were born.
   
7. Give your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If this information can’t be verified at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or by the Commissioner of Social Security, or if you put “none” in this space, you must provide a copy of identification either by mail with this form or at your polling place when you vote. Accepted ID must have your name and current address such as: photo identification, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document.
   
8. You do NOT have to give your home telephone number if you do not want to do so.
   
9. If you want to enroll in one of the official political parties in Massachusetts, check the one in which you want to enroll. You can also write a political designation. You can read a list of parties and designations. If you do not want to enroll in a political party, check off No Party (unenrolled).
   
10. If you were registered at another address in Massachusetts or outside of Massachusetts and then moved, give the address where you used to live. If you have never registered before, leave this line blank.
    
11. If you cannot sign this form, you may ask someone to help you sign it and then ask them to give their name and address. They may write in their own telephone number, but they do not have to do so.
    
12. Read the Oath. There is nothing to write on this line. This is the oath that you sign on Item 14 that the information you gave is true, that you are a U.S. citizen, that you are not under a guardianship which prohibits you registering to vote, that you have never been convicted of illegal voting activities or you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
    
13. Put in the date you fill out this form - the month, the day, and the year.
    
14. Sign your name the same way you entered it on
    Item 2.

1. On the other side of the form, please fill in your name, street address, city or town, and your zip code in the left-hand corner.
   
2. Put the name of the city or town where you live and the zip code of the Board of Registrars or Election Commission, which is the same as your city or town hall.
   
3. Fold the form over along the dotted line and put a piece of tape on it to close it.
   
4. Either take the form to your local election office or put a 44 cent stamp on and mail the form.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS 20 DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION.

IMPORTANT: IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW TO OFFER ANYTHING (CANDY, COFFEE, MONEY etc.) TO PEOPLE WHO ARE REGISTERING TO VOTE UNLESS IT IS OFFERED TO EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT REGISTERING.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement in the mail from your local election office in 2-3 weeks confirming your registration, please call them.