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Voting Resources 2021

The right to vote is the bedrock of the democracy that we cherish. Voting is one of the most powerful and effective tools we have to influence our political systems and dictate the future of our town, state, and country.

We want to make sure you have all of the information and resources you need to safely cast your ballot and participate in the democratic process. See below for information, resources, and important deadlines for voters in New England and across the country.

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General Info

You are eligible to vote in U.S. elections if:

  • You are a U.S. citizen
  • You meet your state’s residency requirements
  • You are 18 years old on or before Election Day (more here)
  • You are registered to vote by your state’s voter registration deadline.

We have included additional eligibility information for New England states below, or you can find your state or local election office website here.

Not sure if you’re registered or want to confirm your registration details? Click here to check your voter registration status.

If you have moved or changed your name, you will need to re-register. Click here to find out how.

If you are overseas or in the military, you can still vote. Click here to find out how.

Need to vote absentee? Click here to request your absentee ballot.

Unsure if you are eligible to vote because of a felony conviction? Find out whether you can cast a ballot in your state (en español). We have included this information for New England states below and you can find more resources at the bottom of the page.

Voter ID laws

Note on registration and ballot deadlines: All voter registration forms and mail-in ballots must be postmarked by the deadline date. To ensure your vote is counted, leave extra time for the delivery since the U.S. Postal Service has warned voters about delays.

Many cities/towns across the country are also offering voters the option to drop off their ballots at a secure drop box. To find out if you have this option, visit your local election office’s website or call them. Find your election office’s contact info here.

Note on early voting: If your state allows early voting, we recommend utilizing that option to avoid crowded polling stations on Election Day or reduce the chances that your ballot will be delayed in the mail.

Click here to see more voting resources.

 

Connecticut

Voter registration deadline:

If you are currently incarcerated or on parole, you are not eligible to vote in Connecticut. If you have been incarcerated for an elections-related felony conviction, you are no eligible to vote until you are discharged from parole or probation. Learn more.

 Absentee Voting: 

  • Connecticut voters are eligible to vote absentee in an election if they cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons
    • Active Military Service
    • Absence from town of residence during voting hours 
    • Illness or physical disability 
    • Religious beliefs that take precedence over the voting hours 
    • Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours 
  • An absentee ballot must be returned either in person by close of business the day before the election or by mail

Helpful links:

State COVID-19 links:

 

Maine

Voter registration deadline:

If you are incarcerated and otherwise eligible to vote, you CAN cast your ballot absentee in Maine. Learn more.

Absentee Voting:

  • All voters are eligible to vote absentee.
  • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the election

Early voting:

Helpful links:

State Covid-19 Links:

 

Massachusetts

Voter registration deadline:

If you are currently incarcerated on a felony conviction, you are not eligible to vote in Massachusetts. You can re-register after your release. Learn more.

Request a mail-in ballot:

Early voting:

Helpful links:

State COVID-19 links:

 

New Hampshire

Voter registration deadline:

If you are currently incarcerated, you are not eligible to vote in New Hampshire. You can re-register after your release. Learn more.

Request a mail-in ballot:

  • A voter is eligible to vote absentee in an election if he or she cannot make it to the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons
    • The voter will be absent from his or her polling location on the day of the election.
    • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of the observance of a religious commitment. 
    • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of a physical disability. 
    • The voter is unable to visit the polls because of an employment obligation
    • The voter is unable to visit the polls due to military service.
  • Track your mail-in ballots

Helpful links:

State COVID-19 links:

 

Rhode Island

Voter registration deadline:

If you are currently incarcerated on a felony conviction, you are not eligible to vote in Rhode Island. You can re-register after your release. Learn more.

Request a mail-in ballot:

Absentee Voting:

  • certain voters are eligible to vote absentee
    • A voter with the state of Rhode Island who is incapacitated to the extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the polls because of illness, or mental or physical disability, blindness, or serious impairment of mobility
    • An elector who is confined to any hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar institution, public or private, within the state of Rhode Island. 
    • An elector who may not be able to vote at his or her polling place in his or her city or town on the day of the election

Early voting:

Helpful links:

 State COVID-19 links:

 

Vermont

Voter registration deadline:

If you are incarcerated and otherwise eligible to vote, you CAN cast your ballot absentee in Vermont. Learn more.

Mail-in voting:

  • If you are registered to vote, the state will automatically send you a mail-in ballot. Track your mail-in ballot here.
  • All voters are eligible to vote absentee in Vermont.
  • To vote absentee, an application must be received by the town clerk by 5 p.m. on the day before the election 

Early voting:

Helpful links:

State COVID-19 links:

 

Nationwide Resources

Key information for all voters, no matter where you live.

 

Helpful links:

See General Info and Additional Resources for more!

 

Know Your Rights

If you have issues or questions when trying to vote on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:

English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)
Español: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

 

Take Action

 

Additional Resources

General information

Safe and accessible voting

Eligibility for people with felony convictions

Voting during a pandemic

Get a ride to the polls

 

GLAD is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates. What do we endorse? Voting! We encourage all eligible voters to cast their ballot and participate in the democratic process. Please share this page with your loved ones and make sure they are prepared to vote in this (and every) election.