Any U.S. citizen residing in Amherst can register to vote in the town. Residents aged 16 to 17 are eligible to pre-register.
You must affirm, under penalty of perjury, that you are legally eligible to register and that the information you provide is accurate and truthful. The penalty for fraudulent registration is a $10,000 fine or up to 5 years imprisonment, or both.
The state recently completed work on a new website to provide Massachusetts voters with the ability to search for and verify their current voter registration status. This tool is designed to provide up-to-date information on voter registration status and information for voters so they can register to vote.
The state developed this functionality while attempting to maintain as much privacy as possible. Voters can verify their voting status by entering their name (as registered), date of birth, and zip code. If they are not a registered voter, they will be directed on how to register to vote.
The state of Massachusetts requires you to provide your Massachusetts driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number for verification. Absolutely DO NOT provide your full Social Security Number to anyone who asks for it for voter registration purposes. This could be a sign of a scam.
How to Register to Vote in MA
Pre-Registration:
Residents aged 16 to 17 can pre-register by any of the methods listed below. On your 18th birthday, you will be removed from the pre-registration list and placed on the registered voter list. You will receive a confirmation notice from our office confirming this change. Please note you may be asked to show identification at the polls if this is the first time you are voting in Massachusetts in a Federal election.
In-Person Registration:
You can visit the Town Clerk’s Office at Amherst Town Hall and complete a voter registration form in person. Note that the deadline for in-person voter registration for any election is 5:00 PM 10 days before the election.
Online Voter Registration (Register To Vote Ma Online):
You can register to vote online. Anyone with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card and a signature on file with the RMV will be able to register online, update their address, or change their party enrollment. Online voter registration must be completed by 11:59 PM 10 days before the election.
Registration by Mail:
You can register or pre-register to vote using a mail-in voter registration form. Print, complete and sign the voter registration form. Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline.
Automatic Voter Registration
As of January 1, 2020, any Massachusetts citizen who conducts certain transactions through the Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth, and the Commonwealth Health Connector will be automatically registered to vote.
You will be automatically registered to vote when you:
- Apply for or renew a driver’s license or learner’s permit
- Apply for or renew a state identification card
- Enroll in MassHealth benefits online, in person, or over the phone
- Enroll in health insurance coverage through the Commonwealth Health Connector
Political Parties and Designations
When you register, you may choose to become a member of a political party, select a designation for a political organization that has not attained party status in the state, or choose to be an unenrolled voter (commonly referred to as Independent).
Keep in mind that if you register in a specific party, for Primary elections ONLY, you will receive a ballot designated for that party. Unenrolled voters may request any party ballot in a Primary election.
