Election FAQs

When is the next election?

There are two elections in the fall of 2024 - the state primary and the general election.

The state primary is Tuesday, Sept. 3.
The general election, which is the Presidential election, is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Where do I vote in person?

ALL six precincts now vote at Fairbank Community Center, 40 Fairbank Rd. on Election Day and at Town Hall, 322 Concord Rd., for early in-person voting.

Can I vote early in person for both elections?

You can vote early in person for both the state primary and the Presidential election. Early voting in person for all six precincts will be held at Town Hall, 322 Concord Rd.

What are the hours for early voting in person?

The hours for early voting for the Tuesday, Sept. 3 primary are:

Saturday, Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Aug.26, 28 and 29, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 30, 8:30 a.m. – noon

The hours for early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 Presidential election have not yet posted - check back soon!

What are the hours for voting in person on Election Day?

For both the state primary and the Presidential election, you can vote in person on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What is my precinct?

To confirm your precinct, visit www.VoteInMA.com and click on "Find My Polling Place".

Can I vote by mail?

Yes! You can vote by mail for both the Tuesday, Sept. 3 state primary and the Tuesday, Nov. 5 Presidential election, but you must apply. (See FAQ below.)

I voted by mail last year, so I’m all set to vote by mail for 2024, right?

You MUST reapply if you wish to vote by mail in 2024. 2023 vote-by-mail applications have expired and are no longer valid. Registered voters should have received an application postcard via U.S. mail. Unless you have special circumstances (see FAQs below), complete and return the application postcard. You can choose to vote by mail for select elections or for all elections during the calendar year – check the boxes to indicate your preference.

If you have already requested a mail ballot for all elections in 2024, it will be sent to you automatically and you do not need to apply for each election.

I want to pick a different party’s ballot for the primary. Can I do that if I vote by mail?

Whether voting in person or by mail,

Registered voters enrolled in a party must vote using that party’s primary ballot. The appropriate ballot will be given to you at the polls or mailed to you if you apply to vote by mail.
Registered voters who are unenrolled in a party can select which party’s primary ballot they would like to use to vote without affecting their unenrolled status. If you vote in person, you will make your selection at the polls. If you vote by mail, you will make your selection when you apply for a mail ballot. To apply, use the application postcard you received via U.S. mail or the web-based Mail-In Ballot Application System found here.

How do I vote by mail?

The Town Clerk’s website has lots of information about how to vote by mail here. Be sure to sign the envelope before you return your ballot!

How do I return my mail ballot?

There are two ways to return a mail ballot: by U.S. mail or via the secure drop box behind Town Hall. The drop box is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the election period.

How can I check to see if my vote-by-mail ballot was received and counted?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Track My Mail-In Ballot” to track your ballot.

What is the last day to request a mail ballot?

Request your mail ballot as soon as you receive the application in the mail. Although the last day to request a mail ballot is five days prior to the election, ballots requested close to an election may not be received in time to vote.

What is the deadline to register to vote?

For the Sept. 3 state primary, the deadline to register is Aug. 24.
For the Nov. 5 Presidential election, the deadline to register is Oct. 26.

How do I register to vote?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Register to Vote” or pick up a paper form at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall.

My name or address has changed since I registered to vote. How do I update my voter registration?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Update My Voter Registration” or pick up a paper form at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall.

I *think* that I am registered to vote, but I can’t remember. How can I check my voter registration?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Check My Voter Information” or contact the Town Clerk.

I just had my naturalization ceremony! Is it too late for me to register and vote?

Congratulations on your naturalization! If you become a U.S. citizen after the voter registration deadline, the deadline for you to register to vote is 4 p.m. on the day before the election. You must register in person at the Town Clerk’s office. Bring proof that your naturalization ceremony took place after the registration deadline.

Who’s on the ballot?

You can find information about the offices on the ballot here.

You can find specimen ballots for the Sept. 3 state primary here.
Check back soon - we'll post the specimen ballot for the Nov. 5 Presidential Election when it is available.

How can I learn about the candidates?

Information about the candidates for the state primary and the Presidential Election is available on VOTE411.org, a project of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.

Are there any ballot questions?

There will be NO ballot questions on ballot for the Sept. 3 state primary.
There will be FIVE ballot questions on the ballot for the Nov. 5 Presidential election. Visit VOTE411.org to learn more about the ballot questions.

What are my rights as a voter in Massachusetts?

You can find the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights here.

I am a voter with a disability. What are my rights? Are there any accessible ways for me to vote?

All polling locations in Massachusetts must be accessible. There are also options for voting from home. You can find more information about accessible voting and contact information for questions or to report issues here.

I am on active military duty outside Massachusetts and/or I live overseas. Can I still vote?

Yes! You can apply for an absentee ballot. You can read more about the requirements here and find the application here.

I was admitted to the hospital just before the election and I don’t have a mail ballot. Can I still vote?

Yes! You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot. You can read more about the requirements here and find the application here.

Do I need to bring ID to vote at the polls?

Most voters do not need to show identification at the polls. You may be asked to show ID at the polls only under certain circumstances. You can find the reasons that you may be asked to show ID here.

Help! I was offered a “provisional ballot”. What is a provisional ballot, and should I take it?

A provisional ballot is offered to voters when there is an issue with their voter registration. If the issue can be resolved, the ballot will be counted. If the issue cannot be resolved, the ballot will be destroyed and not counted. If you are certain that you are in the right polling location and that you are a registered voter, accept the provisional ballot and follow the instructions of election officials. You can learn more about provisional ballots here.

Have more questions? Visit the Secretary of State’s website or the Town Clerk’s website for more information. If you can’t find the answers you need, let us know at lwvsudbury@gmail.com.

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