Election Day FAQ

What time are the polls open on Election Day?

For all elections, except local elections, the polls must be open from 7 am to 8 pm. If you are in line at the polls by 8 pm, you are entitled to vote. For the polling hours in a local election, call your town/city clerk.

How can I get assistance at the polls?

Poll workers, at your request, can show you where voting information is located and demonstrate the voting process with specimen ballots. They must not inform, persuade, or influence your voting selection.

If you need help to vote – for example, if you cannot read the ballot – you can ask someone to accompany you into the booth. That could be any friend or relative but cannot be your employers, a union officer, or a representative of either. In order to avoid any appearance of influence, if you need assistance to vote, two poll workers who belong to different political parties will help you.

How do I vote for a write-in candidate?

You can write-in or use a sticker to vote for anyone not listed on the ballot. You should include an address as well as the name if possible, but an address is not necessary for your vote to be counted. Ask a poll worker for help if write-in directions are not clear.

Can anyone vote in a primary election?

You do not have to be registered in a political party to vote in the primary election.

If you are enrolled in a political party, you may only vote in that party’s primary. If you are enrolled in one party but want to vote in another party’s primary election, you must change your party enrollment or change to unenrolled status by the voter registration deadline for that election. If you’re not sure about your party enrollment, check with your city/town clerk before the voter registration deadline for that election.

If you are unenrolled in any party, you may choose the primary ballot of any party. You will return to your unenrolled status after you vote.

Change of party enrollment forms are available from the poll workers where you vote, or you may go to your city/town clerk's office and fill out a change of party form.

What if I mark my ballot incorrectly?

If you make an error in marking your ballot, ask a poll worker to exchange the spoiled ballot for another ballot. Do not try to erase or change the ballot. In Massachusetts you may spoil up to two ballots; the third ballot will be counted as the final ballot.