Vote by Mail

How Vote by Mail Works

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

1. Complete a Vote by Mail Application;
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 concourse, 93 Highland Ave.
  • East Somerville Community School, across from 68 Glen St.
  • In front of the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.
  • In front of the Somerville Community Baptist Church at 31 College Ave.
  • In front of the West Somerville Neighborhood School at 177 Powder House Blvd.
• 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 completed, signed, sealed, and received by the City no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Please note: If you are placing your ballot in a ballot drop box, it must be placed in the box no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day so that there is time to collect boxes before polls close at 8 p.m.

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 concourse, 93 Highland Ave.
  • East Somerville Community School, across from 68 Glen St.
  • In front of the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.
  • In front of the Somerville Community Baptist Church at 31 College Ave.
  • In front of the West Somerville Neighborhood School at 177 Powder House Blvd.
• 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 completed, signed, sealed, and received by the City no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

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:

Frequently Asked Questions

Ballot Drop Boxes

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

• Concourse at City Hall, 93 Highland. Ave
• In front of the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.
• Outside of the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Blvd.
• At the Glen Street entrance to the East Somerville Community School, across from 68 Glen St.
• In front of The Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave.

Frequently Asked Questions