Applications due September 8 to vote by mail in the September 14 preliminary City election

Somerville voters will have the option to vote by mail in the upcoming city preliminary election on Tuesday, September 14, and general election on Tuesday, November 2. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has approved voting by mail for all municipal elections in the state in 2021, and local voters should be receiving vote-by-mail notices from the Secretary of State’s office in the coming days.

Voting by mail is a two-step process. Registered voters first must submit a vote-by-mail ballot application, and then return their completed ballot to the Elections Office. 

Deadlines

• September 8, applications: 

Completed applications to vote by mail must be received (not postmarked) by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8, in order to vote by mail in the September 14 preliminary election. 

• September 14, Ballots: 

Voter mail-in ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14.

How to apply to vote by mail

A vote-by-mail application can be obtained three ways:

• Download an application from the City website: Visit somervillema.gov/VoteByMail.

• Pick up an application at City Hall: Vote-by-mail application forms also will be available at the Elections Department of City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. You can fill out and submit your application on the spot. Please remember that face coverings are required in all city buildings.

• Have an application mailed to you: To request that the Somerville Elections Department mail you a vote-by-mail application, call the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 x4200. 

How to return your vote-by-mail application or ballot:

There are several options for voters to return their vote-by-mail ballot application or ballot:

• Drop boxes: Voters can use one of the drop boxes located around the city to return their application or ballot. Drop boxes will be installed by Friday, August 13, at:

  • City Hall concourse, 93 Highland Ave.

  • East Somerville Community School, across from 68 Glen St.

  • In front of the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.

  • In front of the Somerville Community Baptist Church at 31 College Ave.

  • In front of the West Somerville Neighborhood School at 177 Powder House Blvd.

• City Hall drop-off: Voters can return applications or ballots directly to the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Please remember that face coverings are required in all City buildings.

• Mail: Voters can return applications and ballots by sending them to the Elections Department, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Make sure to leave plenty of time for mail to reach the Elections Department before the deadline.

• Email or fax (for applications only): Completed vote-by-mail ballot applications can be emailed to vote@somervillema.gov or faxed to 617-625-5643. Ballots cannot be returned by email or fax.

Eligible voters who submit valid applications to vote by mail will receive their preliminary election ballot in the mail. Ballots must be completed, signed, sealed, and received by the City no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14. Voters can check the status of their ballot at bit.ly/MABallotTrack2021. 

Any eligible voter who is not registered can do so online at somervillema.gov/elections, in person at City Hall, or by requesting a voter registration form be mailed to them. The deadline to register for the September 14 preliminary election is Wednesday, August 25. After registering, they may follow the above procedures to vote by mail.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.