Important Information Regarding Elections & Voting

Every Vote Counts!! Visit 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 (pre-register); 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, at your Town Clerk's Office.

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

Be sure to know your precinct before arriving at the polls.

Voting in Franklin

• The polls are open on election day from 6 am to 8 pm at the Franklin High School Gymnasium, 218 Oak Street.
• 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 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 pm to be counted. Ballots are Not Accepted at the polls.

 Schedule of 2026 Local Elections

Local Elections Voter Option Guide

Vote EARLY in Person:  This option is available for all Local/State and Federal Elections.  Check with the Town Clerk's Office for date and times.  All in person early voting is done in the Town Clerks Office.

Vote by Mail: All registered voters qualify to vote by mail.  Please complete a vote-by-mail application  and submit it to the Town Clerk's Office prior to the deadline date.

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

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

Applications for ballots to be mailed to a voter must be received by the Town Clerk by 5 pm on the 5th business day before an election. We recommend applying earlier than the deadline as the U.S. Postal delivery services are not consistent and can range from 3 to 11 days.

Submitting your Absentee or Early Voting Application:

Send your application to:  townclerk@franklinma.gov

Mail the signed application to:

Town Clerk's Office
355 East Central Street
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 all elections, include a 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 Street). 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 U.S. 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 and Federal Elections Only

Only on the Track My Ballot page

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.

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.