Resources for High School Voter Registration
How to hold a voter registration drive at your school
These resources are provided in keeping with the spirit of the 2018 law, An Act To Promote And Enhance Civic Engagement, which contains a provision to establish a High School Voter Challenge. While these resources do not create such a statewide Challenge Program, they provide a toolkit for hosting a registration drive and are consistent with the goal of having high schools play an active role in fostering increased voter registration.
Key Dates for the November 5, 2024 Federal & State Election
Last Day To Register To Vote Before This Election
October 26
Last Day To Submit A Vote By Mail Application
October 29
Early Voting In Person Begins and Ends
October 19 - November 1*
Election Day
November 5
* The early voting schedule for your community will be set by your local election official. Check the website for your City or Town Clerk to find that schedule. It will also be listed on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website by October 11.
Non-Partisan Resources to Conduct a High School Voter Registration Drive
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The Secretary of the Commonwealth (This is the official state website for all voter information. It allows access with translation for multiple languages.)
The Town or City Clerk’s website for your town or city.
Voter Registration Cards (handouts with QR Code for Online Registration:)
Paper Registration Cards to mail in are available from any Town or City Clerk and can also be downloaded from the Secretary of the Commonwealth website. This is important for students who do not have a driver’s license, as you can only register online if your signature is on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Prior to the Election, Town and City Clerk websites will post a sample ballot for your area.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth mails a red booklet, titled "Information for Voters", that describes the offices that are up for election and also explains the ballot questions with pro and con statements. It is also available online.
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts maintains an election resource for ballot information: and for distribution, Vote 411 business card with QR Code: Vote 411 QR Code-English ; Vote 411 QR Code-Spanish
How To Organize Your Own High School Voter Registration Drive
Support You Will Need
A faculty or administrator to sponsor the drive and help with the identification of time, logistics, and communication.
Student volunteers for outreach to the student body. Often volunteers come from the student government, or from a student club, or government class.
You may wish to have a non-partisan community partner. The following organizations are willing to assist you with materials and some of them can attend your registration drive in person. Others offer online assistance.
The League of Women Voters. There are 43 local Leagues and you can contact the League closest to your city or town for in person assistance. See this link to find a local League near you. Leagues by municipality or email the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts at lwvma@lwvma.org
MassV0TE invites requests for help with registration on their website.
The Civic Center – a national organization offers a tool box of materials including posters and stickers you may find helpful. They also offer training virtually.
The Civic Center – link to shareable graphics.
Generation Citizen – a national organization - also offers a tool box and online resources.
Communication to the Student Body
Let students know when and where the voter registration will be and tell them they will need either their driver’s license or the last four digits of their Social Security Number. Posters around school, school announcements and other forms of notification are helpful.
Select a motivation strategy for outreach to students. You may choose to have volunteer students read a short message about the importance of voting in homeroom or advisory periods. You may ask teachers to read these messages in required senior courses such as an English class.
Materials You Will Need at the Registration Drive
Students may use their phones to register on line using the QR code that takes them directly to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. You may use the handout available from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts for that code.
You may wish to have some tablets or laptops available for any students who do not have a mobile phone.
Paper registration cards for students who do not have a driver’s license. Obtain these from your Town or City Clerk.
Some students don’t remember whether or not they are automatically registered when they obtained their driver’s license. They can go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website to check their registration status.
Remind students if they have moved since they first registered, they must update their registration with their new address.