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 in prison, or both.
The state recently completed work on a new website to provide Massachusetts voters with the ability to look up and verify their current voter registration status. This tool is designed to provide up-to-date information regarding voter registration status and information for voters so that they may 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 (registered) name, date of birth, and zip code. If they are not a registered voter they will be directed on how to register to vote.
Fraud Alert! According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, scammers may send messages asking for your Social Security number or financial information to register you to vote – or to verify your registration – when they really want to commit identity theft. PLEASE NOTE: In Massachusetts, when you register to vote you will be asked for your Massachusetts Driver’s License number OR the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. This information is used for verification purposes. YOU SHOULD NEVER BE ASKED TO PROVIDE YOUR FULL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER BY A LEGITIMATE ELECTION OFFICIAL.
How to Register to Vote in Massachusetts
Pre-Registration: Residents aged 16 to 17 can pre-register to vote using any of the methods listed below. On your 18th birthday, you will be removed from the pre-registrant list and moved to the registered voter list. You will receive a confirmation notice from our office confirming this change. Please note that you may be asked to present identification at the polls if this is your first time voting in Massachusetts in a Federal Election.
In-Person Registration: You can visit the Town Clerk’s Office at Amherst Town Hall and fill out a voter registration form in person. Please note that the deadline to register to vote in person for any election is 5:00 PM 10 days before the election.
Online Voter Registration: You can register to vote online. Anyone with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card and 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.
Register by Mail: You can register or pre-register to vote using the 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 in Massachusetts
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
- Apply for MassHealth benefits online, in person, or by phone
- Enroll in health insurance through the Commonwealth Health Connector
Political Parties and Designations
When you register, you can choose to become a member of a political party, choose 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 enroll in a specific party, for Primary Elections ONLY, you will receive a ballot designated for that party. Unenrolled voters may request any party’s ballot in a Primary Election. For more information on voter registration please visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website.
