Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm local time.
Federal, state, and county offices, plus statewide ballot questions. Your exact ballot depends on where you live.
Every city and town has at least one early voting site, with some hours on both weekends. If your town has more than one site, you can use any of them. Hours are set locally, and many places have short or no hours on Fridays. Schedules are posted at VoteInMA.com by Oct. 10.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, 2026 Information for Voters, p. 4
Register online until 11:59 pm, by mail with a form postmarked by Oct. 24, or in person at your local election office by 5 pm. Online sign-up needs a Massachusetts driver's license or ID.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, 2026 Information for Voters, p. 4
Anyone can vote by mail. No reason is needed. Your Vote by Mail application must reach your local election office by 5 pm. The state suggests applying by Oct. 13 if you mail it, or by Oct. 20 if you apply online.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, 2026 Information for Voters, p. 4
Polls open 7 am to 8 pm at your assigned polling place. If you are in line by 8 pm, you can vote. Mail ballots handed in or put in a drop box must arrive by 8 pm. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, 2026 Information for Voters, p. 4 · Cambridge Election Commission, 2026 State Election guide (return deadlines)
A ballot mailed in the U.S. and postmarked by Election Day counts if it arrives by 5 pm on Nov. 6. If you have not mailed your ballot a week before Election Day, the state suggests using a drop box or handing it in.
Source: Mass. General Laws ch. 54, sec. 93 · Cambridge Election Commission, 2026 State Election guide
Dates can change and counties can add early-voting days. When in doubt, your election office has the final word.
Early voting: Oct. 17–30 at three sites: Valente Library (826 Cambridge St., side entrance on Berkshire St.), Cambridge Water Department (250 Fresh Pond Pkwy) and Main Library (449 Broadway). Weekends 9 am to 3 pm; Mondays 8:30 am to 8 pm; Tuesday–Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm; Fridays 8:30 am to noon. The Election Commission office is not an early voting site. Mail ballots can go in six city drop boxes; only the one at 689 Massachusetts Ave is open on Election Day.
Election Day: Vote at your assigned polling place, 7 am to 8 pm. Your polling place may have changed, so check it at cambridgema.gov/pollinglocations.
689 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 1, Cambridge · 617-349-4361 · Monday, 8:30 am to 8 pm; Tuesday–Thursday, 8:30 am to 5 pm; Friday, 8:30 am to noon · cambridgema.gov/departments/electioncommission
Source: Cambridge Election Commission, 2026 State Election early voting guide · Cambridge Election Commission, Vote Early by Mail (office hours, drop boxes)
Most voters do not have to show ID. A poll worker may ask some voters, such as some first-time voters who registered by mail. A photo ID works, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document with your name and address. If you are asked and have no ID, you can still vote, but your ballot may be challenged or cast as a provisional ballot.
Related: Who shows up to vote · Who decides, and how to reach them · The calendar. Spot an error? Report it.
Massachusetts dates gathered 2026-10-08.