Cambridge voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required.
In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead. Please click here if you are a military or overseas voter, a voter who is incarcerated, or a voter who was admitted to the hospital within 1 week of of the election.
September 6, 2022 State Primary
Step One: Apply for a ballot
In 2022, Vote by Mail applications will be mailed in July to every voter who hasn’t already requested a mail-in ballot for the fall elections. These applications will be pre-addressed to the Election Commission office and postage pre-paid. The deadline to request a ballot for the September 6, 2022 Primary is Monday, August 29th at 5 p.m. The Election Commission recommends applying by Tuesday, August 23rd, allowing up to 7 days for ballot delivery in both directions.
You can request a ballot by filling out the vote by mail application or by sending a signed request to the Election Commission Office that includes:
- Your name;
- The address where you are registered to vote;
- The address where you want the ballot to be sent;
- Which election(s) you would like (you can apply for the September primary, the November general election, or both);
- If you are not registered in a party, you must include which party's ballot you would like to receive;
- YOUR SIGNATURE
Deliver your application to the Cambridge Election Commission by email, mail or fax:
Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you’re emailing your application, you need to sign it in a way that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable. Typed signatures cannot be accepted.
Step Two: Vote when your ballot arrives
The Election Commission office will begin mailing ballots as soon as we receive them from the Secretary of State's office, approximately one month before the election. Due to the volume it may take some time for all ballots to be mailed.
After voting your ballot, place it in the inner envelope and sign the envelope. If you make a mistake on your ballot, please call the Election Commission office at 617-349-4361 or email elections@cambridgema.gov for further instructions.
Step Three: Return your ballot
You have four options for returning your ballot:
- Mail: the envelopes will be addressed and postage is provided!
- Ballot Drop Boxes: locations and hours will be posted here when available
- Election Commission Office: drop the ballot off in person to the Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street during regular office hours
- Early Voting Locations: Ballots may also be returned by dropping them off at designated early voting locations during early voting hours.