2026 Special Town Election- Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Override: Budget): Voter Registration, Absentee Voting & Specimen Ballot & Warrant
ELECTION DAY
28 Precinct Street, Lakeville, MA 02347
VOTER REGISTRATION
Town Clerk Lillian M. Drane would like to announce that voter registration in Lakeville has never been easier than it is today! All residents of Lakeville (18 years of age and over) who are not already registered voters must be registered to vote by Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:00 pm is the final date and time to be registered for the upcoming Special Town Election which will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
In Person: You may visit the Town Clerk’s Office in Lakeville located at 346 Bedford Street and complete a voter registration form in person- please call ahead.
Mail-In Voter Registration: Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Lakeville Town Clerk’s Office, Post Office and the Public Library. Mail-in voter registration forms may also be obtained by calling the State Elections Division at (800) 462-VOTE or visiting the website at voter-registration_English.pdf (state.ma.us) In addition, the state registries of motor vehicles, social services agencies and military recruitment offices provide voter registration services.
Online Voter Registration: You may also register using the NEW Online Voter Registration System at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com. To submit an online application, you must have a valid driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RVM). You must also have a signature on file with the RMV. If you do not have an RMV ID, you may still use the online system to create an application. PRINT and sign the completed form, and then mail or bring it to your local election official. The online system will allow you to: apply to register to vote in Massachusetts, change your name or address for voter registration purposes, enroll in a political party, change your party enrollment, or unenroll from a party.
Registered Voters: Voters are required to return the Census form annually to retain their “Active” status on the voter list. If you are a registered voter and do not respond to the census, the Board of Registrars is required by law to move you to the “INACTIVE VOTER LIST” (MGL, Ch 51,§4). You will still be eligible to vote in Lakeville, but only after completing an “Affirmation of Current & Continuous Residence” form and showing evidence (i.e. driver’s license or other acceptable documentation) when you go to the polls.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
- Be a US Citizen
- Be a Massachusetts resident
- Be at least 16 years old (to register) and 18 years old (to vote)
- 10 days prior to all primaries and elections, Annual and Special Town Meetings
When a voter registration date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline falls back to previous workday.
ELECTION OBSERVERS
Because of limited space, the number of observers may be limited and advance notice of location and time will therefore be required. Please email notification to ldrane@lakevillema.org or call 508-946-8800.
ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION
Absentee Ballot Applications can be filed annually after January 1st for all elections to be held in the Calendar year 2026. -see attachment below for Absentee Ballot Application
Absentee Voting applies to:
- A registered voter who is absent from the voter’s city or town during normal polling hours;
- A registered voter with a physical disability that prevents them from going to the polling place (including precautions being taken relating to illnesses- admitted to the hospital within 1 week of the election, or quarantined within 1 week of the election); or
- A registered voter is unable to go to the polls because of religious beliefs,
- A non-registered voter who is absent from the state; or
- An active member of the armed forces or merchant marines, their spouses or dependent; or
- A non-registered voter who is confined in a correctional or a jail, except if by reason of felony conviction.
If you are NOT going to be in town between the hours of 12:00 NOON to 8:00 P.M., you may wish to vote in absentia. All Ballots will need to be returned to the Town Clerk's office (Drop Box) before 8pm on Election Day.
All applications for an Absentee Ballot by mail must be received by the Town Clerk before 5:00pm on May 12, 2026.
In-Person Absentee Voting
Absentee voting in person is available during regular business hours, Monday-Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm & Friday, 8:00am - 12 noon at the Town Clerk's Office (346 Bedford Street, Lakeville- BY APPOINTMENT ONLY), until Monday, May 18th at 12:00 P.M.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting in person currently NOT available for this Election, however applications for Vote By Mail Applications must be received by the Town Clerk before 5:00pm on May 12, 2026.
EMERGENCY BALLOTS
If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility within 7 days of an election, or you have been instructed by a medical professional or public health official to self-quarantine in your home within 7 days of an election, you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone to pick up your emergency absentee ballot, deliver it to you, and return it to the Town Clerk. There is no deadline to submit an application for an emergency ballot, but your ballot must be returned to the Town Clerk by the close of polls.
DROP BOX
Town Clerk, Lillian M. Drane would like to introduce to residents the TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE DROP BOX located outside of the Town Hall (346 Bedford Street, Lakeville, MA 02347). The drop box will be utilized for election mail including absentee/early voting applications, ballots and voter registration forms, dog licenses, vital records request and other business conducted by the town clerk's office.
OTHER VOTER INFORMATION:
- Absentee Ballot Information & Absentee Ballot Application
- Accessible Vote by Mail Information
- Check your voter status click here
- Voting with the AutoMark Machine & Helpful Video
- Directory of Political Parties and Designations
- Lakeville Political Sign Policy
- Lakeville Absentee & Early Voting Policy
