Allston, Massachusetts Public Records

Massachusetts residents can register to vote online at www.registertovotema.com until 10 days before any election, or complete registration in person at the Boston Election Department, any Boston Public Library branch, or the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Registration requires U.S. Citizenship, age 18 by election day, and Massachusetts residency. Documentary proof of citizenship is not required, though valid identification is needed. Local residents participate in Boston municipal elections that include races for Mayor (four-year terms), Boston City Council (nine at-large councilors and one district councilor representing District 21, which covers Allston-Brighton), and School Committee. Voters cast ballots at assigned polling places, which can be identified by entering an address at www.boston.gov/departments/election or calling the Election Department. Massachusetts provides early voting periods for both primary and general elections, typically starting 11 days before election day. Residents can verify registration status and find polling locations using the statewide system at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema. Public election records in Massachusetts include voter registration lists (available with restrictions to prevent commercial use), campaign finance reports searchable at www.ocpf.us, certified election results available through the Secretary of the Commonwealth at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele, and candidate nomination papers filed with local election officials. Massachusetts voters can request absentee ballots (called Vote by Mail ballots) for any reason by submitting an application available at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele or through local election offices; applications must be received by the fourth business day before the election, though ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on election day to be counted.