Pre-18 voter registration in
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts 92,105
people turn 18 every year.
Massachusettsans can 
pre-register before turning 18.
To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must be: 16 years old. That means all eligible seniors, juniors and most sophomores in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote. 
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Massachusetts
Upcoming Elections:
- Sep 1st, 2026 - Massachusetts Primary Election (Register by Aug 22nd, 2026)
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Massachusetts General Election (Register by Oct 24th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Massachusetts.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Massachusetts.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
Federal law requires that you provide your Massachusetts driver's license number to register to vote. If you do not have a current and valid Massachusetts driver's license, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have neither, you must write "NONE" in the box and a unique identifying number will be assigned to you.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Massachusetts you must:
be a United States citizen
be a Massachusetts resident
be at least 16 years old (must be 18 years old to vote on Election Day)
not have been convicted of corrupt practices in respect to elections
not be under guardianship with respect to voting
not currently be incarcerated for a felony conviction
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in Massachusetts and are mailing this registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: current and valid photo identification or current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.
Online Instructions
To register online in Massachusetts, you need ONE of the following ID numbers issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV): Driver's License, Learner's Permit, or State ID. If you don’t have a RMV-issued ID, you can still register by mail or in person.
More information here.
Massachusetts High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
Massachusetts Requirements for High School Voter Registration
Subject to city consent, election officials are required to hold voter education and voluntary registration sessions in each high school every year between April 1 and May 15.
Public and private high schools shall make voter registration forms available to students.
The state secretary must establish a non-partisan high school voter challenge program and promulgate regulations for participating high schools. Superintendents shall ensure that each challenge includes an opportunity to register or preregister.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Apr 1st, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Mar 27th, 2026.
See More
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
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