The polls are open in Shrewsbury from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day for all elections.

If you will not be able to vote on election day and wish to do so, you must apply for an absentee ballot  before noon the day before the election.

In a primary election, a voter who is registered in a political party is restricted to the ballot for the party in which the voter is registered. The "unenrolled" voter (independent) may choose a ballot for any party participating in the primary election without changing the voter's "unenrolled" status.

If you are disabled and need assistance, you may have someone accompany you who can provide the needed assistance. Assistance may also be requested from election workers.

Voter Registration

You may submit an application to register or pre-register to vote in Massachusetts if:

•  You are a citizen of the United States; and
• You are 16 years old; and
• You are not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.

If you meet the above requirements, you may apply online, by mail, or in-person.

 The deadline to register to vote in any election or is ten (10) days prior to the date of the election. 

If you are a new citizen who was naturalized after the last day to register to vote, you may register to vote in person at your local election office until 4 p.m. on the day before the election. You must bring documentation to show that your naturalization ceremony occurred after the voter registration deadline.

To register to vote an individual must be a United States Citizen who will be 18 years old by the date of the next election. Registration closes 10 days prior to each election. 

Registering Online:

In order to register to vote online, you must have a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. If you currently have a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID card, you may use the online voter registration application to register, update your address, or change your party affiliation. Voter registration forms submitted online must be submitted by midnight on the date of the voter registration deadline.

 Click the buttons below for each online service. 

Registering by Mail: 

If you do not qualify to register to vote online, or if you would prefer to register by mail, you may download the voter registration form. The form must be completed, signed, and delivered to the Town Clerk's Office. Voter registration forms submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than the voter registration deadline.

Registering in Person:

If you would like to register in-person, you may do so at the Town Clerk's Office as well as the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. Voter registration is also available at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and at certain public assistance agencies. Voter registration forms completed in-person are valid as of the day that they are signed.

Automatic Voter Registration:

If you are a U.S. citizen applying for or renewing a driver's license or state ID at the RMV, or applying for health insurance through MassHealth or the Commonwealth Health Connector, you will be automatically registered to vote, unless you opt out of registering.

If you opt out of registering to vote, or if your citizenship has not been confirmed by the RMV, MassHealth, or the Health Connector, you will not be registered to vote. If you do not opt out and your citizenship is confirmed, your name, address, and date of birth will be sent to your local election official to be added to the voter list and you will receive mailed confirmation of your registration within 2-3 weeks.

Learn more about automatic voter registration.

Changing Your Address:

You must update your voter registration every time you move. If you have moved, you may update your registration by filling out a new voter registration form in your new community or updating your address online. If you move after the deadline to register to vote in a state election or primary, you should wait to update your registration until after the date of the election or primary, and return to vote at your previous polling place in Massachusetts. State law allows you to vote from a previous address in a state election for up to six month after you have moved, as long as you have not registered elsewhere. If you move within town, you may also update this information online, or fill out the change of address form and submit to the Town Clerk's Office, or submit the change in person at the Town Clerk's Office. 

Changing Your Political Party:

If you wish to change your party enrollment, you may do so online or by filling out a change of party form in person at the Town Clerks Office. Members of political parties may vote only in their own party's primary elections. Unenrolled voters (commonly referred to as "Independents") and members of political designations or minor parties may vote in the party primary of their choice. Choosing to vote in a particular party's primary does NOT enroll you as a member of that party.

A full list of political parties and designations may be found here.

Identification Requirements: 

Certain voters must submit a copy of their identification with their voter registration or present it at their polling place on Election Day. For more information on identification requirements, please see the Secretary of State's page on Identification Requirements.

Pre-Registering to Vote:

Though you must be 18 years old in order to vote, you may pre-register to vote once you are 16 years old. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may submit a voter registration form to the Town Clerk's Office, who will then place your name on the list of pre-registrants. You will receive a pre-registration notice by mail, confirming receipt of your application. Pre-registration may be done online, by mail, or in person at any voter registration location (see above).

Once you become old enough to vote, your local election will mail you an acknowledgement notice, which is confirmation that your name has been moved from the list of pre-registrants to the list of registered voters. Your acknowledgement notice will include your party affiliation and the location of your polling place.

It is important to keep your local election official informed of any changes to your information. You must submit a new voter registration form if you wish to change your name, address, mailing address, or political affiliation.

Prohibited Activities:

State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location. Signs, stickers, and lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. State regulations also prohibit political solicitation within the restricted zone. Prohibited activities are detailed in Chapter 54 Section 65.

More info: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Election-Advisory-20-12-Electioneering-and-the-150-ft-Rule.pdf