The Massachusetts secretary of state’s office recently announced that the state now allows eligible citizens to register to vote and update their address and political party affiliation entirely online. Massachusetts joins 20 other states and the District of Columbia in offering voters this efficient and convenient option. Similar systems are being built in at least six other states.
Massachusetts’ new online voter registration system had a soft launch earlier this month and is live and available to the public. According to the announcement, Secretary of State William Galvin (D) expects the system to improve the accuracy of voter registration records by reducing clerical errors. Like many state systems, the website will link to the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles, allowing any voter with a driver’s license or state ID to conduct a registration transaction without printing, signing, or mailing a hard copy form. Eligible citizens without a state ID will have the option to complete the form online and then print, sign, and mail it to the election office.
Recent research has shown that online voter registration is convenient for election administrators and voters, offering a quick, secure, and cost-effective way to process registrations and maintain voter rolls.
Follow us on Twitter using #electiondata and get the latest data dispatches, research, and news by subscribing today.