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Somerville Votes by Mail

How Vote by Mail Works

To vote by mail, all you need to do is:

  1. Complete a Vote by Mail Application:
    1. Online Form
    2. Paper Form
  2. Deliver your application to the Elections Department. Applications can be mailed to 93 Highland Ave, Somerville MA 02143, or placed in a ballot drop box. Applications may also be submitted by fax (617) 625-5643 or email, as long as your signature is visible;
  3. Vote when your ballot arrives;
  4. Return your ballot

There are several options for voters to return their vote-by-mail ballot application or ballot:

  • Drop boxes: Voters can use one of the drop boxes located around the city to return their application or ballot. Drop boxes are located at:
  • City Hall drop-off: Voters can return applications or ballots directly to the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
  • Mail: Voters can return applications and ballots by sending them to the Elections Department, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Make sure to leave plenty of time for mail to reach the Elections Department before the deadline.
  • Email or fax (for applications only): Completed vote-by-mail ballot applications can be emailed to vote@somervillema.gov or faxed to 617-625-5643. Ballots cannot be returned by email or fax.

Eligible voters who submit valid applications to vote by mail will receive their election ballot in the mail.

Voters can check the status of their ballot at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot.

Any eligible voter who is not registered can do so online at somervillema.gov/elections, in person at City Hall, or by requesting a voter registration form be mailed to them.


Important Notes

  • Apply early in order to have enough time to return your ballot.
  • Electronic signatures are acceptable, 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.
  • If you are not registered to vote, or if you need to update your address or party affiliation, please visit our Register to Vote page to learn more about your options for registering.
  • If you are not able to print or electronically submit a vote by mail application, you can also send a signed written request to the Somerville Elections Department indicating you would like a vote by mail ballot. Make sure to include your name, address, and where to mail your ballot. If you would like a State Primary ballot and you are not registered in a political party, make sure to include the party ballot you are requesting as well. You can also request an application by calling 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) or emailing elections@sec.state.ma.us.
  • For more information, click on the "Frequently Asked Questions" tab, visit sec.state.ma.us, or contact the Elections Office at (617) 625-6600 x4200.

Apply to Vote by Mail

Download Application

Return Application by Email

How to Apply to Vote by Mail

A vote-by-mail application can be obtained three ways:

  • Download an application from the City website.
  • Pick up an application at City Hall: Vote-by-mail application forms also will be available at the Elections Department of City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. You can fill out and submit your application on the spot.
  • Have an application mailed to you: To request that the Somerville Elections Department mail you a vote-by-mail application, call the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 x4200. 

How to Return your Vote-by-Mail Application or Ballot

There are several options for voters to return their vote-by-mail ballot application or ballot:

  • Drop boxes: Voters can use one of the drop boxes located around the city to return their application or ballot. Drop boxes are located at:
  • City Hall drop-off: Voters can return applications or ballots directly to the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
  • Mail: Voters can return applications and ballots by sending them to the Elections Department, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Make sure to leave plenty of time for mail to reach the Elections Department before the deadline.
  • Email or fax (for applications only): Completed vote-by-mail ballot applications can be emailed to vote@somervillema.gov or faxed to 617-625-5643. Ballots cannot be returned by email or fax.

Eligible voters who submit valid applications to vote by mail will receive their preliminary election ballot in the mail. Ballots must be received by the Elections Department, not just mailed or postmarked, by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, March 5th, 2024). If you are placing the ballot in a dropbox, your ballot must be dropped off before 6 p.m. on March 5, 2024

Any eligible voter who is not registered can do so online at somervillema.gov/elections, in person at City Hall, or by requesting a voter registration form be mailed to them. 

Track My Ballot

The State has set up an online ballot tracker:

If your ballot status is “pending,” that means Elections is processing your application and your ballot has not been mailed yet.

If your ballot status is “not returned,” that means Elections has mailed your ballot but not received it back yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can vote in person as long as you have not otherwise submitted a ballot.

State law allows election workers to put ballots into voting machines ahead of election day, but no totals will generated until after the polls close on election night.

The State has set up an online ballot tracker.

If your ballot status is “pending,” that means Elections is processing your application and your ballot has not been mailed yet.

If your ballot status is “not returned,” that means Elections has mailed your ballot but not received it back yet.

Ballot Drop Boxes

Image
A blue, metal ballot box with a lock, ballot slot, and yellow "Vote in the 'Ville" lettering in front of City Hall

 

The City of Somerville is giving residents the option to return their ballots and ballot applications using secure drop boxes like the one shown above.  Drop boxes are located at:
 

Ballot Drop Box Locations

Thumbnail preview links to Google Map of ballot box locations


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Completed applications to vote by mail must be placed in the box by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before election day.

Ballots and applications are collected daily.

The ballot drop boxes are made from 160 pounds of galvanized steel and anchored to concrete. When installing ballot drop boxes, we choose sites that are under video surveillance and/or are highly visible.

Yes however, ballots must be in the box by 6 p.m. (unless the city hall box which is until 8 p.m.) on Election Day, at which time the boxes will be locked so that there will be time to process them.

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