BE A GOOD CITIZEN—VOTING IN GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

You Can't Vote If You Don't Register

In Massachusetts you must be registered at least 20 days before any primary election in which you would like to vote. If you attempt to vote illegally or provide false information in registering you can be criminally prosecuted. Laws about registration are generally established by state governments and therefore may vary from state to state.

For more details, visit the Secretary of State's page on how to register in Massachusetts.

Choosing Where to Register

Most students who are otherwise eligible have a choice about registering to vote at their school address or at the address of their parents' home. You can not vote from two different addresses at the same time so you must choose.

When you register to vote at your college address you do not jeopardize your eligibility for state financial aid and/or in-state tuition elsewhere. Similarly your registering at your college address in no way interferes with your parents' ability to claim you as a dependent on their taxes.

Absentee Ballots

If you are unable to go to your designated polling place to vote in person on Election Day (because you will be away from the community where you are registered as a result of your status as a full-time college student in a different community) you are eligible to vote by absentee ballot. In general, you must apply for an absentee ballot by completing a printed form and mailing it in to your town or county election clerk at least a few weeks before the pertinent election. An absentee ballot is then mailed to you at the address of your choice. You must complete the ballot and follow the instructions about returning it. In general, your absentee ballot must be received by Election Day. In some jurisdictions the deadline for receipt of the absentee ballot is a little bit earlier. These rules apply for primary elections, as well as general elections.

For details, visit the Secretary of State's page on absentee ballots.

Party Enrollment

When you register to vote you are also given the opportunity, if you so choose, to enroll as a member of a political party. In some states voting in Primary Election is limited to enrolled members of a party. In Massachusetts, and in most states, a person must be an enrolled member of a party in order to seek the nomination of the party as a candidate for office and in order to vote in party caucuses to elect delegates to state and national party conventions. In Massachusetts the current choices for enrollment are: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, or Independent (no party/unenrolled). You can change your party enrollment at any time.

Get Help to Become a Registered Voter

There are many internet sites (usually posted through the secretary of State in each State) that can provide you with information about registration requirements and about getting an application for an absentee ballot. In addition, at Clark, several student groups regularly conduct voter registration to register to vote in Massachusetts and inmost other states. For more information and to get assistance in registering to vote you can visit the Clark Hillel office on the third floor of the University Center.