Massachusetts

ALM GL ch. 54, § 89

Voters admitted to the hospital after noon on the fifth day before an election can apply for an absentee ballot until the polls close.

Here is how COVID-19 is affecting Patient Voting in this state:

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For upcoming elections, a new law has been passed clarifying that any person taking precaution related to COVID-19 in response to a declared state of emergency or from guidance from a medical professional, local or state health official, or any civil authority shall be deemed to be unable by reason of physical disability to cast their vote in person at a polling location. More information can be found here.

 

You qualify for an absentee ballot due to physical disability if:

• You are ill;

• You are confined to your home because you may transmit infection; or

• You cannot leave your home because you are a member of a population vulnerable to illness;

• You are staying in your home or avoiding your polling place as a precautionary measure in response to COVID-19.

 

The law has also been updated to allow early voting by mail for any election held on or before June 30th. Early voting by mail is similar to absentee voting, but unlike absentee voting, no excuse is required.