Absentee and Early Voting

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ABSENTEE vs. EARLY VOTING

In most elections in Massachusetts, voters can choose whether they would prefer to vote in person or by mail. Excuse-required absentee voting by mail is available in all elections, to those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you may need to use the Absentee Ballot application to apply for an absentee ballot instead.

Click HERE for Mail-In (Early) Voting information.

ABSENTEE BALLOT ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for an 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

Prior to the November 4, 2025 election, in person absentee voting will begin Tuesday, October 14 inside the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 210 Main St.  If you would like to absentee vote, please schedule an appointment  HERE.  

In order to absentee vote in person, you will be asked to complete an In-Person Absentee Voting application will be provided when you arrive for your appointment.

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APPLYING FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Absentee ballots must be requested in writing at least 5 business days before Election Day. Applications are available for download below. For absentee ballot applications, a member of your family may also make the request on your behalf.

Absentee Ballot Application (English)

Peticion de Voto en Ausencia (Spanish)

缺席選票申請 (Chinese)

How to submit your application:

• BY MAIL: City Clerk’s Office, 210 Main Street, Room 4, Northampton, MA 01060
• BY EMAIL: voting@northamptonma.gov
• BY FAX: (413) 587-1220
• IN HAND: Drop-off box located at Front Steps of City Hall, 210 Main Street (as of 9/3/2020, a bigger GREY box installed) - Opens September 1st.

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. Military voters, dependent family members of military voters, and overseas citizens are protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), a federal law that guarantees your voting rights.

Please click HERE for more information about the Federal Post Card Application. 

PLEASE NOTE: For city and town elections, you will receive your ballot by mail. If you do not receive your ballot in time, you have the option of submitting a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) by e-mail or fax.