Absentee Ballots Available for September 14 Preliminary Election

Absentee ballots are now available for voters who qualify to vote absentee. In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at the polling place on election day due to absence from the city on election day, physical disability, or religious belief.

Deadlines:

• The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, September 14 preliminary election is noon on Monday, September 13. If you are requesting a ballot be mailed to you, make sure to apply with enough time for your ballot to come through the mail.
• The deadline to return your absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14. If you are returning your ballot by mail, make sure you leave enough time for it to reach the Elections Department.

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

• Download a request form at somervillema.gov/absenteevoting.
• Contact the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 x4200 to have a request form mailed to you.

How to return your request form or ballot:

• Drop boxes: Use one of the drop boxes located around the city to return your request form or ballot. Drop boxes will be installed by Friday, August 13, 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 request forms or ballots directly to the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Please remember that face coverings are required in all City buildings. In-person absentee voting can be arranged by contacting the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 x4200.
• Mail: Voters can return request forms 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 request forms only): Completed request forms can be emailed to vote@somervillema.gov or faxed to 617-625-5643. Ballots cannot be returned by email or fax. 

As a reminder, all Somerville voters are eligible to vote by mail in this fall’s elections. More information about voting by mail is available at somervillema.gov/votebymail.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.