Important Information Regarding Elections & Voting

Every Vote Counts!!   Click here for more information from the State Elections Division.

Vote by Mail Application

Register to Vote
You may submit an application to register or pre-register to vote in Massachusetts if:

  • You are a citizen of the United States; and
  • You are 16 years old; and
  • You are not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.

If you meet the above requirements, you may apply online, by mail, or in-person.

Visit Town Clerk's Office and fill out a voter registration form or Register To Vote 

Registration Deadline:  The voter registration deadline is 10 days prior to any election.

 
Voting in Franklin
  • The polls are open on election day from 6 AM to 8 PM at the Franklin High School Gymnasium, 218 Oak St
  • At the check-In table tell the poll worker your name first, followed by your street number and street name.  
  • If your name does not appear on the list the poll worker will send you to the Town Clerk's table.
  • To cast your vote in Franklin follow the voting instructions by filling in the oval circle next to the name you wish to vote for. If you need assistance, you may bring someone to assist you or ask a poll worker to provide confidential, non-partisan help.
NO political paraphernalia may be displayed within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location (includes signs, stickers, clothing and lapel buttons).
 
Voting Absentee  
If unable to vote on election day because of physical disability, religious beliefs or travel you may vote by absentee ballot.
 
  • Request your absentee by mail ballot from the Town Clerk up to four business days prior to the election.  Voting absentee/early in person must be done before 12 noon the day before an election.  Absentee/Early ballots are generally available up to three weeks before an election.  .
  • Application for absentee ballots may be submitted in-person at the Town Clerk's Office, by mail, or email. If a voter submits the application in-person he may obtain the ballot and vote in person over-the -counter. Otherwise, the ballot is sent by mail.
  • Members of the same household may request absentee ballots and must be 18 years of age.
  • Return of ballots Must be received in the Town Clerks Office before the polls close at 8:00PM to be counted.  Ballots are Not Accepted at the polls. 
  • Early Voting is available for all of the 2024 State Elections dates and times to follow.

                   Schedule of 2024 State Elections:

Elections 2024

FALL 2024 STATE ELECTIONS VOTER OPTION GUIDE:

Vote by Mail:
   
All registered voters qualify to vote by mail in the fall 2024 elections.  45 days prior to the election, a post card application will be mailed to ALL registered voters, at their mailing address, who have not already applied to receive a vote by mail ballot 60 days prior to the election.

ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED TO RECEIVE A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT FOR THE FALL ELECTIONS BY JULY 1ST WILL RECEIVE A POST CARD APPLICATION MAILED TO THEM AROUND JULY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION. 
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK VOTERS TO WAIT AND RETURN THE POST CARD TO APPLY.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR VOTING ABSENTEE OR NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING BY MAIL

Ballots can only be MAILED - you may not pick up a ballot.

Ballots are generally available for mailing 2-3 weeks prior to an election.

Deadlines to Apply for an Absentee or Early Vote by Mail Ballot
Applications for ballots to be mailed to a voter must be received by the Town Clerk by 5PM on the 5th business day before an election.  We recommend applying earlier than the deadline as the US Postal delivery services are not consistent and can range from 3 to 11 days.  

Submitting your Absentee or Early Voting Application:  

Email the signed application to: townclerk@franklinma.gov

Mail the signed application to:

                                       Town Clerk's Office
                                       355 East Central St
                                       Franklin, MA  02038
or

Drop off the signed application in the drop box located at the walkway to the main entrance of building.

Return of Absentee or Vote by Mail Ballots:
Mailed Ballots, for state elections, include a postage pre-paid return ballot envelope that is addressed to the Town Clerk's Office.  You may return your ballot by mail or hand deliver your ballot by placing it in the drop box outside the Town Clerk's Office or in the white mailbox located in the drive up lane (prior to the close of polls on Election Day). 

Ballots can not be returned to the polling location on Election Day - they must be returned to the ballot drop box located at the town offices (355 East Central St).  Your returned ballot on Election Day will be processed and brought to the polls to be cast by the Town Clerk’s staff.   

Voters who receive a vote by mail ballot but have not returned it prior to Election Day may appear to vote in person and cast a ballot on Election Day.  Any voter that has returned a vote by mail ballot (or voted early in person) is not permitted to appear to vote in person on Election Day.

Deadlines for ballots to be returned and counted:

All Elections- All ballots must be received at Town Hall by 8 PM on Election day.

Please note that US Postal delivery services are not consistent and can range from 3 to 11 days.  We recommend voters return their ballots in the drop box outside of the town offices by the close of polls on Election Day to ensure it is counted.

Track your Mailed Ballot - State & Federal Elections Only https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot
You can track your mailed ballot request to see if the Town Clerk's Office has received and processed your application. You are able to see when a ballot was sent to you and when the returned ballot has been recorded as received in the Office of the Town Clerk. This feature is available for State and Federal Elections only, it is not available for Town Elections.

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ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Most voters do not qualify to receive an absentee ballot to be sent to them. 

Massachusetts allows voters that QUALIFY to vote by absentee ballot if the voter is one of the following:

Will be absent from your city or town on election day

Has a physical disability that prevents voting at the polling place

Cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs

Absentee Voter Applications
Absentee ballots can only be MAILED to those who qualify, upon receipt of a completed and signed absentee ballot application.  You may not pick up an absentee ballot.

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EARLY VOTING (by Mail or in person)  FAQ:

If I applied for a vote by mail ballot can I appear to vote in person at an early voting site or at the polls on Election Day?

YES - If your vote by mail ballot has not been received back to the Town Clerk’s Office, you may still appear to vote in person at the polls on Election Day or at an early voting site.  These voters will be required to complete additional paperwork and will need to show an ID.  Should your mail in ballot be received after you voted early in person or at the polls on Election Day that ballot will be rejected and will not be counted

NO - If a vote by mail ballot has already been received back by the Town Clerk’s Office.  A returned vote by mail ballot is considered cast and you will not be eligible to vote by mail, early in person or in person at the polls on Election Day.

If I vote early in person can I appear to vote in person at the polls on Election Day?

NO - If you appeared to vote early in person your ballot will be considered cast and you will not be eligible to vote by mail, or in person at the polls on Election Day.  Voting in Person at the Polls after submitting an early ballot is prohibited as outlined in 950 CMR 4 7.19.

When & How is an early voter's ballot (by mail or in person) cast?
All vote by mail and early voting in person ballots will be kept secured in the Town Clerk's vault until Election Day.  On Election Day the secured bins containing the ballots will then be transported to the High School by the Police. 

A Notice of Advanced Removal of Early Voted Ballots from Envelopes and Advanced Depositing of Early Voted Ballots will be posted with the Secretary of the Commonwealths Office and also on the Town of Franklin's website.  A warrant will also be posted throughout various locations in Town if the Clerk so chooses to perform any of the advanced opening and depositing options.