Vote by Mail and Absentee

Vote by Mail Ballots

Voting by mail is available for all registered voters, no excuse is required -- but you must apply every year.

Voters who wish to vote by mail must complete an application online or download and print a Vote-by-Mail Application (PDF) and return it to the Town Clerk's office by mail, in-person or via email. The deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is five (5) days before an election. Unenrolled voters (commonly known as independent) must choose a political party to vote by mail in State and Federal Primary elections. This does not change the voters party enrollment. 

As a reminder, voters must return voted ballots to the Town Clerk's Office before close of polls on Election Day for them to be counted. Ballots can be returned by mail, to the drop-box outside of Town Hall or in-person to the Town Clerk's Office.

Once your ballot is in the mail, you can track your vote-by-mail ballot.


Military and Overseas Voters

Massachusetts citizens who are in the military or reside overseas can vote in all elections.

Citizens deployed, stationed outside of Massachusetts, or living overseas have their right to vote protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

If you are a military or overseas voter, you are exempt from voter registration requirements in Massachusetts. In order to get your ballot, you simply need to submit an absentee ballot application most easily done through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.


Absentee Ballots

Qualifications for an Absentee Ballot

Only certain voters qualify to vote via absentee. You may apply for an absentee ballot if you:

  • Will be absent from town on election day, and/or
  • Have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polling place, and/or
  • Cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs

Applications for Ballots

Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Clerk's office or by printing and returning the Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) by mail to Town Clerk's Office, 26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 or email to ballots@plymouth-ma.gov. Applications may also be submitted via letter and should include:

  • Name (please include Jr., III, etc. if applicable)
  • Date of birth (not required)
  • Address as registered
  • Precinct (if known)
  • The mailing address for the ballot is different from the registered address
  • The election you are requesting the ballot for or all elections for that calendar year (requests must be made each year)
  • If unenrolled and requesting a ballot for a Primary you must specify which party ballot you wish to receive
  • Your signature (must be an original signature)

A family or household member of a person qualified to vote by absentee ballot may apply on the voters behalf by using the form above, in the Town Clerk's office or by sending a letter with the information above plus the requester's name and voting address.

Voting via Absentee

If voting by mail, the absentee ballot application or letter of request should be returned as early as possible. Ballots arrive in the Clerk's Office approximately three weeks before an election and are sent out as quickly as possible. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is noon the day before the election. Ballots can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to the Town Clerk's Office and must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. Ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk's Office and will not be accepted at the polling location. Hand-delivered ballots must be returned by the voter or a family or household member.

If you would prefer to cast your absentee ballot in person at the Town Clerk's Office you may bring a request with you or fill out an application in the office and vote on the same visit. Ballots cannot be picked up or taken out of the building! They must be mailed or completed in person.