Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

Voting Options and Voter Registration for the State/Presidential Election, November 3, 2020 – Cambridge, MA

In order to provide increased voting options in response to COVID-19, 950 House Bill 4820 was passed and signed into law as Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020 “for the immediate preservation of public health and convenience.” Accordingly, early voting is available to all voters for the State/Presidential Election on November 3rd. Early voting is available by mail and in person to all registered voters and no excuse is required.

Voters are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering in the Early Voting locations and on Election Day at polling sites (except for reasons listed in CDC or Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines) to help mitigate public health risks associated with COVID-19.

However you choose to vote, please be advised that once a voter casts an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls.

Early Voting

To vote by mail:

1. Complete a Vote by Mail Application; you can apply online or download an application at www.MailMyBallotMA.com or send a written request with your name, Cambridge address, address where you want the ballot sent, and your signature. Applications can be sent by:
• Online submission at www.MailMyBallotMA.com
• Email to elections@cambridgema.gov
• Mail to the Election Commission, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
• Fax to (617) 349-43662.
2. Vote when your ballot arrives.
3. Return your voted and sealed ballot to the Cambridge Election Commission by mail, ballot drop box, or in person.
4. Check the status of your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com

The deadline to return a Vote by Mail ballot is November 3rd at 8:00pm or postmarked by November 3rd and delivered to the Cambridge Election Commission by November 6th in order to be counted.

The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail Application for a mailed ballot for the election is Wednesday, October 28th at 5:00pm. The U.S. Postal Service recommends submitting this application no later than October 20th to ensure the timely delivery of your ballot.

The Election Commission is open to the public by appointment only. Please schedule an appointment at https://calendly.com/cambridge-election-commission

Official Ballot Drop Box Locations

Official ballot drop boxes will be available at the following six (6) locations for Cambridge voters beginning Friday, October 9th through Tuesday, November 3rd at 8:00pm: [The ballot drop boxes will be locked from 8:00pm though 7:00am each day.]

1. City Hall – Near the back door of the building located at 795 Massachusetts Avenue
2. Morse School – Near the front entrance of the building located at 40 Granite Street
3. Cambridge Police Headquarters – Right-side of the front of the building located at 125 6th Street
4. Maria L. Baldwin School – Right-side of the Oxford Street entrance of the building located at 28 Sacramento Street
5. O’Neill Library – Adjacent to the entrance stairs of the building located at 70 Rindge Avenue
6. Coffon Building – Right-side of the front of the building located at 51 Inman Street

To vote in person, visit any one of the three (3) early voting locations offered in Cambridge during the period from Saturday, October 17th to Friday, October 30th for the State/Presidential Election. You must be a registered voter in Cambridge to vote at the early voting locations. Please refer to the City’s designated early voting schedule below. The deadline to vote early in person is Friday, October 30th at 5:00pm.

EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, HOURS AND DAYS

Longfellow Community School – 359 Broadway, rear entrance

Cambridge Water Department – 250 Fresh Pond Parkway

Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, side entrance on Berkshire Street

The Election Commission office located 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for the State/Presidential Election, November 3rd. Voters must go to one of the designated early voting locations listed above.

* The voter registration deadline is Saturday, October 24th at 8:00pm. The Election Commission will be open from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Please schedule an appointment. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, Election Commission staff will be available to accept completed voter registration forms near the side entrance of the Coffon Building on Inman Place, Cambridge.

Voting on Election Day & Relocation of Some Polling Sites

Voting on Election Day will still be available for those who want to vote at the polls, but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some polling sites (like those in high-risk facilities) were temporarily relocated for the upcoming State/Presidential Election on November 3rd. Your temporary location will be in the same ward and precinct or near your regular polling site for voter convenience and to minimize voter confusion. In the next few weeks, voters will receive an Early Voting Guide and a Voter Notification Card in the mail that will have information pertaining to any relocated polling places and other important election related information. [Cambridge Polling Sites – Fall 2020]

Voter Registration

For anyone wanting to vote early in person, by mail, or by drop box, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check your voter registration status and to find information on how to register to vote, please go to www.registertovotema.com. You will need a license, or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the State/Presidential Election on November 3rd, you must register to vote or make changes to your voter registration by Saturday, October 24th at 8:00pm.