Information about Voting Early By Mail

In most elections in Massachusetts, voters can choose whether they would prefer to vote in person or by mail. No-excuse early voting by mail is available in all state elections, state primaries, presidential primaries, and is also available for this spring's Chilmark Annual Town Election on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

In order to vote early on Vote by Mail ballots, a voter must request this ballot using the Vote by Mail Application. Find more information about early Vote By Mail here.

While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you may need to use the Absentee Ballot application to apply for an absentee ballot instead. Find more information about absentee ballot eligibility here.

Applying for your Ballot

To request your Vote by Mail ballot, you will need to submit a Vote by Mail application to your local election office:

By mail: Chilmark Town Clerk, P.O. Box 119, Chilmark, MA 02535

By email: townclerk@chilmarkma.gov

By fax: 508-645-2110

Vote by Mail applications can be downloaded or printed here. Further, any written request with your signature is an acceptable application. You can simply write a signed letter to your local election office to apply for your ballot.

Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or fax, but they must include a signature that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable.

Typed signatures on applications cannot be accepted, unless you are a voter who requires accommodations due to physical disability. If you are unable to sign your application or mark your ballot by hand due to a disability, visit the MA Elections Division page about voting with disabilities for information on requesting an accommodation.

Absentee ballots can be requested in the same manner as early Vote by Mail ballots, using the Absentee Ballot application.

Application Deadlines

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on the 5th business day before the election. This deadline is Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 5PM. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline.

Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day.