Election FAQs

When is the next election?

There are two elections in March 2024: the presidential primary and the Annual Town Election.

The presidential primary is Tuesday, March 5.
The Annual Town Election is Monday, March 25.

Can I vote early in person?

You CAN vote early in person from Saturday, Feb. 24 – Friday, March 1 (excluding Sunday) for the Tuesday, March 5 presidential primary.
You CANNOT vote early in person for the Monday, March 25 Annual Town Election.

Where do I vote in person?

To find your precinct, visit www.VoteInMA.com and click on "Find My Polling Place".

Early voting in person (Feb. 24-Mar. 1, excluding Sunday) for the March 5 presidential primary will be held at Town Hall for ALL precincts.
Precincts 4 and 6 will vote in Town Hall for Election Day voting for both the March 5 presidential primary and the March 25 Annual Town Election.
Precincts 1, 2, 3, and 5 will vote in the Fairbanks Gym for Election Day voting for the March 5 presidential primary and the March 25 Annual Town Election.

When can I vote in person?

For the presidential primary, you can vote in person on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. or during one of the early voting days, Saturday, Feb. 24 – Friday, March 1.
For the Annual Town Election, you can vote in person on Election Day, Monday, March 25 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Can I vote by mail?

Yes! You can vote by mail for both the Tuesday, March 5 presidential primary and the Monday, March 25 Annual Town Election, but you must apply. (See FAQ below.)

I voted by mail last year, so I’m all set to vote by mail for 2024, right?

You MUST reapply if you wish to vote by mail in 2024. 2023 vote-by-mail applications have expired and are no longer valid. Registered voters should have received an application postcard via U.S. mail in mid-January. Unless you have special circumstances (see FAQs below), complete and return the application postcard. You can choose to vote by mail for select elections or for all elections during the calendar year – check the boxes to indicate your preference. Checking the box for “all elections” will include the March 25 Annual Town Election.

I want to pick one party’s ballot for the March 5 presidential primary and another party’s ballot for the state primary in September. Can I do that if I vote by mail?

Whether voting in person or by mail,

Registered voters enrolled in a party must vote using that party’s primary ballot. The appropriate ballot will be given to you at the polls or mailed to you if you apply to vote by mail.
Registered voters who are unenrolled in a party can select which party’s primary ballot they would like to use to vote without affecting their unenrolled status. If you vote in person, you will make your selection at the polls. If you vote by mail, you will make your selection when you apply for a mail ballot. To apply, use the application postcard you received via U.S. mail or the web-based Mail-In Ballot Application System found here.

What if I want to apply to vote by mail only for the Annual Town Election?

Use this fillable pdf to apply to vote by mail. In section 2, add the March 25 Annual Town Election.

How do I vote by mail?

The Town Clerk’s website has lots of information about how to vote by mail here. Be sure to sign the envelope before you return your ballot!

How do I return my mail ballot?

There are two ways to return a mail ballot: by U.S. mail or via the secure drop box behind Town Hall. The drop box is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the election period.

How can I check to see if my vote-by-mail ballot was received and counted?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Track My Mail-In Ballot” to track your ballot.

What is the last day to request a mail ballot?

Request your mail ballot as soon as you receive the application in the mail (January). Although the last day to request a mail ballot is five days prior to the election, ballots requested close to an election may not be received in time to vote.

What is the deadline to register to vote?

For the March 5 presidential primary, the deadline to register is Feb. 24.
For the March 25 Annual Town Election, the deadline to register is March 15.

How do I register to vote?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Register to Vote” or pick up a paper form at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall.

My name or address has changed since I registered to vote. How do I update my voter registration?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Update My Voter Registration” or pick up a paper form at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall.

I *think* that I am registered to vote, but I can’t remember. How can I check my voter registration?

Visit www.VoteInMA.com and click “Check My Voter Information” or contact the Town Clerk.

I just had my naturalization ceremony! Is it too late for me to register and vote?

Congratulations on your naturalization! If you become a U.S. citizen after the voter registration deadline, the deadline for you to register to vote is 4 p.m. on the day before the election. You must register in person at the Town Clerk’s office. Bring proof that your naturalization ceremony took place after the registration deadline.

Who’s on the ballot?

You can find a list of the candidates for the March 5 presidential primary here.
You can find the specimen ballot for the March 25 Annual Town Election here.

How can I learn about the candidates?

Information about the candidates for the March 5 presidential primary will be available in mid-February on VOTE411.org, a project of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
Information about the candidates for the March 25 Annual Town Election is available in the LWV Sudbury Voters’ Guide which includes links to the LWV Sudbury Candidates' Forum as well as candidate web site and social media pages. You can also meet the candidates in person at the LWV Sudbury Meet the Candidates event on Sunday, March 10 at Goodnow Library from 2-4 p.m.

Are there any ballot questions?

There will be no ballot questions on the presidential primary ballot.
Check back soon – There may be ballot questions on the March 25 Annual Town Election ballot. We’ll post that information when it is available.

What are my rights as a voter in Massachusetts?

You can find the Massachusetts Voters’ Bill of Rights here.

I am a voter with a disability. What are my rights? Are there any accessible ways for me to vote?

All polling locations in Massachusetts must be accessible. There are also options for voting from home. You can find more information about accessible voting and contact information for questions or to report issues here.

I am on active military duty outside Massachusetts and/or I live overseas. Can I still vote?

Yes! You can apply for an absentee ballot. You can read more about the requirements here and find the application here.

I was admitted to the hospital just before the election and I don’t have a mail ballot. Can I still vote?

Yes! You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot. You can read more about the requirements here and find the application here.

Do I need to bring ID to vote at the polls?

Most voters do not need to show identification at the polls. You may be asked to show ID at the polls only under certain circumstances. You can find the reasons that you may be asked to show ID here.

Help! I was offered a “provisional ballot”. What is a provisional ballot, and should I take it?

A provisional ballot is offered to voters when there is an issue with their voter registration. If the issue can be resolved, the ballot will be counted. If the issue cannot be resolved, the ballot will be destroyed and not counted. If you are certain that you are in the right polling location and that you are a registered voter, accept the provisional ballot and follow the instructions of election officials. You can learn more about provisional ballots here.

Have more questions? Visit the Secretary of State’s website or the Town Clerk’s website for more information. If you can’t find the answers you need, let us know at lwvsudbury@gmail.com.

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