Voter Registration for New Citizens in Masachusetts

With the Presidential election drawing near, and many of our clients in the process of becoming citizens and looking forward to their first vote, we should take a look at voter registration procedures. Note the big "however" for those who become citizens between October 17 and Election Day.

There are many differences by state, and there's a lot going on around the country, but here's what is required in our service area in Massachusetts. Check with your local election official for variations by location (particularly outside of Massachusetts).

Registration is accomplished with the local election official (often the Town Clerk, but not always; larger towns and cities may have a separate offical).  There is a list of local officials by town at  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm

The Secretary of State's web site has the details of what's required to register in Massachusetts: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm

In Massachusetts, the deadline for registering to vote in the 2012 general election on November 6 is October 17, 2012.

HOWEVER: anyone who becomes a US Citizen after the deadline but before Election Day has until 4PM the day before the election to register. This is the only exception. (See http://lwvboston.org/wp-content/uploads/english_4-27-09.pdf or http://www.lwvboston.org/voter-information/--it refers to Boston, but applies statewide--see above for the election official in your town). Note that other states may have different laws.

So, if your Naturalization Ceremony (swearing-in ceremony) is after October 17 but before November 6, 2012, you may register to vote up until 4PM on November 5. It may be possible to register, or to receive registration materials, at the ceremony.

See the current mail-in registration form (http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2012-Voter-reg-mail-in.pdf) for a look at the information required.

We are proud to have helped many new voters this year.  Congratulations!