Know your voting rights
Nov 04, 2024
BOSTON (WWLP) - The countdown is on for when polls open Tuesday morning, and 22News is working for you to make sure you know all of your rights as a voter.
As voters prepare to make their voices heard, many are asking the question: What do you do if you arrive at the polls and your name is not on the voter's list?
You still have some options to make sure your voice is heard.
First, check with a poll worker to make sure you are at the correct polling location.
If you are, ask your poll worker to contact your local election office to confirm your eligibility. In those cases, or if you forgot your ID at home, you can vote using a provisional ballot. Once your local election office confirms that you are registered, or when you bring your ID to your polling place before it closes, your ballot will be counted.
Secretary Bill Galvin is Massachusetts' election overseer. He is urging voters not to mail their mail-in ballots this close to the election because they may not make it in before the November 8th cut-off date.
"The mail is the perilous way, the drop boxes are better at this point. Or, bring it into the election office. You can't bring it to the polls," said Galvin.
What if you've cast your vote already but have since changed your mind? Secretary Galvin says voters do NOT have the right to change their votes once they are turned in.
"Now you suddenly decide you want to change your mind on one of the ballot questions. Too late! You voted, you're gone, that's it," said Galvin.
Polls are open until 8 p.m. tomorrow, and everyone who is in line before then will be permitted to cast their votes, no matter how long it takes. If you have any questions or need disability accommodation at the polls, you are allowed to ask poll workers for assistance.
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Know your voting rights
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