By Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell
Every eligible voter in Massachusetts has the right to cast their ballot freely, safely, and without intimidation or interference. As your Attorney General, protecting that fundamental right is one of my top priorities.
With Election Day approaching, my office has heard residents’ concerns about interference in our elections, the presence of federal law enforcement at polls, and whether their votes will be counted. I want to be clear: Your right to vote is protected by law, and my office stands ready to defend it.
Recently, my office helped lead legal challenges against federal actions that threatened to interfere with how states administer elections, including vote by mail. We won a court order preventing a rule from taking effect that would have upended our vote-by-mail system and posed a serious risk of disenfranchising voters.
We took this action because no eligible voter should lose their opportunity to vote because of unlawful interference.
Protecting the right to vote also means ensuring voters understand their rights and know where to turn if something goes wrong. Our Know Your Rights voter guide and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website are two trusted sources of information.
Here are a few things every Massachusetts voter should know.
You have options for casting your ballot.
Vote early from October 17 to October 30. Check your municipality’s website for early voting hours and locations.
Vote by mail by requesting a mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. on October 27 and returning it by mail, to a ballot dropbox, or to an open early voting location.
Vote on Election Day, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you have the right to cast your ballot.
You have the right to vote free from intimidation and interference.
On Election Day, each polling place must have a police officer or constable present to assist election officials and ensure everyone can vote safely, without interference or intimidation. If you see anyone using intimidation tactics at a polling place, speak with the location’s police officer or warden and contact the Attorney General’s Office.
Many organizations and civil groups send observers to polling locations to watch the voting process. Observers cannot interact or interfere with the voting process.
You have the right to assistance if you encounter a problem voting.
If your name isn’t on the voting list at your polling location, or you’re denied a ballot, you have the right to request and cast a provisional ballot. Election offices will then work to verify your eligibility so that your ballot may be counted.
If you are unable to mark your ballot due to physical disability, there is equipment at every polling location to help you mark your ballot independently, or you can receive assistance from a poll worker or person of your choosing.
Voters do not have to navigate concerns alone. My office will continue to ensure that our election laws are followed and voters are protected.
If you believe your voting rights have been violated, contact the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-2200.
Our democracy depends on the ability of every eligible voter to participate freely and fairly.
Know your rights. Make a plan to vote. And know that your Attorney General has your back.
