Elections

Welcome to the City of Gloucester Elections page 

Next Election: Preliminary: September 19, 2023                                                                                                      Municipal Election: November 7, 2023

For voters who are interested in running for Municipal office, nomination papers are available at the City Clerk's office beginning April 3, 2023. The offices that will be on the 2023 Municipal ballot are: Mayor, Ward Council, Councilor at Large & School Committee. 

Voter Registration Deadlines

The deadline to register to vote or make changes to your voter registration for the September 19, 2023 Preliminary, (if one is necessary), is Friday, September 8, 2023. The City Clerk's Office will be open from 8:30am to 5:00pm for voter registration and registration changes.  Online voter registration deadline is September 8, 2023 @ 11:59pm.  To find out if you are registered and where to vote click here. 

Voter Registration Information

Any U.S. citizen who is 18 years of age or older may register to vote in his/her city or town of residence. To register in Gloucester, you may come to the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours.  Click the link below to download a mail in registration form or use the Secretary of State online service detailed below. We are located at: 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930. Note: A picture ID may be requested at the time of registration.

For instructions on how to register to vote using the Secretary of the Commonwealth online voter registration system:

Instructions for registering to vote in Massachusetts

Massachusetts citizens can apply online by visiting Secretary Galvin’s Website at www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the "Register to Vote" link to access the online application system.  Any Massachusetts citizen who has a valid identification card issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able to use the online system to apply to register to vote, update their address or change their party enrollment.

Massachusetts citizens who do not have identification issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles can still complete an application online by visiting the State of Massachusetts Elections Page where they can then print, sign, mail, or hand-deliver the registration form to their local election official.

Non-Registered Voter Information

A non-registered voter has up to ten (10) days prior to any election day to register to vote. If the voter fails to comply, then his/her name will not be posted on the registered voters list and he/she will not be able to cast his/her vote in that election.

Change of name and address form: Registered voters can change their name or address by completing the Name/Address Change Form, and submitting it to the Clerk’s office in person or by mail. Changes MUST be received in the Clerk’s office on or before the 10th day prior to an election.

Change of Enrollment Forms Must also be submitted 10 days prior to an election.

Voting by Absentee, Vote by Mail, Overseas or Military voting and Voters with Disabilities: 

Vote by Mail & Absentee ballot voting will be available for the 2023 elections. The deadline to request a vote by mail or absentee ballot by mail is September 12 for the September 19 Preliminary & October 31 for the November 7 election.  Absentee ballot voting in office is by appointment until Noon the day prior to each election.  

If you are not able to come to the City Clerk’s office to complete the absentee ballot application, to vote absentee, or complete a vote by mail application, please click your option from the links below.  Please follow the instructions given so that processing your application will not be delayed. 

Click Option:

How to apply for an Absentee Ballot 

• How to vote if overseas or in the military
• Absentee ballot application
• Vote by Mail application
• Voters with Disabilities **New

Inactive Voters

An inactive voter is a voter who failed to answer census per the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 51, Section 4c. Every year, registered voters who failed to respond to the census will be made inactive on June 1st of that year. Voters who are made inactive are sent confirmation cards, which the voter can send back to the City Clerk’s office to be reinstated as active or to make an address change.

When inactive voters arrive at their polling place, and before they are given a ballot, they will be required to show ID (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed ID which contains your name and address) and will need to fill out an "Affirmation of Current and Continuous Residence". Once they have filled out the address confirmation, they will be given a ballot and allowed to proceed with voting.

Poll Workers: 

If you are interested in becoming a poll worker please email elections@gloucester-ma.gov or come to the City Clerks Office during business hours.  Poll workers are paid $170.00 to $225.00 per day depending on the position.  We also offer Volunteer opportunities! 

                                                 ------------------------------------------                                          

To View The City of Gloucester Election results visit the Elections Results Page of this Website. If you have further questions after viewing this site feel free to contact the Elections Desk at the City Clerk’s Office @ 978-281-9720 ext. 2, email address: elections@gloucester-ma.gov.

For further information on Federal & State Elections, please refer to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts elections website or call 1-800-462-VOTE (8683).