Newton voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required.
In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead. Please scroll down further if you are a military or overseas voter, a voter who is incarcerated, or a voter who was admitted to the hospital within 1 week of of the election.
Step One: Apply for a ballot
In the beginning of each year, an application to vote by mail will be sent to all registered voters.
You can request a ballot in many ways:
You can apply on-line here.
You can fill out the Vote by Mail Application or by sending a signed request to the City Clerk's Office that includes:
- Your name;
- The address where you are registered to vote;
- The address where you want the ballot to be sent;
- Which election(s) you would like (you can apply for the September primary, the November general election, or both);
- If you are not registered in a party, you must include which party's ballot you would like to receive;
- YOUR SIGNATURE
Deliver your application to the Newton Election Commission by email, mail or fax:
Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax. If you’re emailing your application, you need to sign it in a way that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable. Typed signatures cannot be accepted.
- Mail your request to: Newton Election Commission, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459
- Email: elections@newtonma.gov
- Fax: (617) 796-1214
Step Two: Vote when your ballot arrives
The City Clerk's office will begin mailing ballots as soon as we receive them, approximately one month before the election. Due to the volume it may take some time for all ballots to be mailed.
After marking your ballot, place it in the inner envelope and sign the envelope. If you make a mistake on your ballot, please call the City Clerk's office at 617-796-1350 or email elections@newtonma.gov for further instructions.
Step Three: Return your ballot
You have three options for returning your ballot:
- Mail: the envelopes will be addressed and postage is provided.
- Ballot Drop Box: located outside the front doors of City Hall.
- City Clerk's Office: drop the ballot off in person to City Hall at first floor, 1000 Commonwealth Ave. Newton, MA 02459 during regular office hours.
ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION
To qualify to vote by Absentee Ballot you must:
- Be away from your city/town on Election Day; or
- Have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place; or
- Have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day
To have an Absentee Ballot sent to you, complete the Absentee Ballot Application below and mail or deliver it to the City Clerk's Office.
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION
Voter: Complete Applications for an Absentee Ballot may be sent by mail, fax, e-mail, or hand-delivered by the voter or any other person.
You may send a written request to the City Clerk's Office. Please include in your request your Newton address, the address to which you would like the ballot sent, the election(s) for which you require absentee ballots and your signature.
Mail your request to: Newton Election Commission, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459
You may also send a completed and signed scan of your absentee ballot application electronically. Applications submitted electronically must be signed and scanned so that the signature is visible. PDF is the preferred format for sending the document electronically, however other formats are accepted.
Absentee Ballots can also be filled out over the counter at City Hall BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and can only be done if you fall under any of the three categories below. If you believe you qualify, please contact our office at elections@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1351 to set up an appointment:
- You will be away from your city or town on Election Day
- You have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling location on Election Day
- You have a disability that prevents you from voting at your polling location
E-mail your request to: elections@newtonma.gov
Voting for Military and Overseas U.S. Citizens
If you are a Massachusetts citizen, you have the right to vote in all elections, even if you are deployed, stationed outside the Commonwealth, or residing overseas.
Download and Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
For international mailings you may want to request the ballot further in advance to allow time for delivery.
Ballots are available by email for all elections this year.
Members of the Uniformed Services and U.S. Citizens who reside overseas are covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). In Massachusetts, UOCAVA citizens are considered “specially qualified voters” and voter registration is waived. UOCAVA citizens are eligible to vote in all elections in Massachusetts by requesting absentee ballots. For more information, please visit http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elemil/milidx.htm
It is possible to have a standing order so that absentee ballots for all the elections in a calendar year that you are eligible to vote in are sent to you, you may do this by selecting "All Elections This Year" on the absentee ballot application.
Additional information on voting by absentee ballot can be found on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.
