Plymouth MA
Democratic
Town
Committee
00days 00h 00m 00s
until Primary polls open Sept 1st
About Voters' Rights
As voters, we recognize a shifting tide. The social contract is under pressure, our democracy is fraught with:
-
misinformation,
-
attempts to rig the voting process, such as gerrymandering,
-
attempts to make it harder to vote, such as requiring Voter ID, restricting mail-in ballots, etc.
In this environment, it is key that you:
-
Know your rights
-
Exercise your rights
Don't let people trying to rig or restrict the process win. Cast your vote!
Know Your Rights
Provided you are eligible (registered) to vote, you have a right to cast your vote and to have it counted. You also have the right to do so free from intimidation. Luckily, Massachusetts sets a reasonably low bar for what constitutes intimidation.
The following text is copied from the Attorney General's Office website.
What are poll observers allowed to do?
Massachusetts law provides that elections must be conducted in a manner that is open to public observation. Poll observers are allowed inside the polling place, unless they are disorderly or obstruct the access of voters (950 CMR 52.03(22); 950 CMR 54.04(22)). Poll watchers may observe polling place operations but they cannot intimidate, threaten, coerce or otherwise interfere with your right to cast your ballot (950 CMR 52.03(22); 950 CMR 54.04(22)). If you have questions or become aware of efforts to interfere in the upcoming election or to intimidate voters, please contact the Secretary of State at 1-800-462-VOTE or the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-2200.
Are political activities allowed at polling locations?
Under Massachusetts law, electioneering, campaigning, signature-gathering, and other specific political activities are prohibited within 150 feet of a voting location. The 150-foot rule applies to polling locations on Election Day and early voting sites during voting hours (950 CMR § 52.03(22)(c) and 54.04(22)(c)). This rule extends to voters, too, in that voters may not carry or wear into a voting location any items designed to aid or defeat a candidate or question being voted on in that location. For example, this includes clothing bearing a candidate’s name, slogan or image, the name of a candidate’s policy proposal, or a political party name. If you have questions or experience impermissible electioneering or campaigning at your polling location, please contact the Secretary of State at 1-800-462-VOTE or the Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-2200.
Why is there a police officer at my polling location?
State and federal law protects your right to vote safely in elections, free from intimidation. Massachusetts state law requires that local police officers be at polling places to assist local election officials and to ensure that voters are not obstructed from voting (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 72).
Exercise Your Rights
Armed with knowledge of your rights, please exercise them as well. Plan ahead for time and transportation needed to cast your vote. Find your polling location. Avoid clothes that make a political statement. If at any point you feel intimidated (shouted at, threatened, called names, obstructed from accessing the polling location, etc), please contact the police officer on site.
Links to more information:
-
Guide to Laws Against Intimidation of Voters and Election Workers
-
Election Protection Guidance: What to Do In Case of Voter Intimidation
The fraud map shows just four cases of one person seeking to commit election fraud in the last 14 years, 2012-2026, and none in the last 10 years 2016-2026. Four votes among millions. In a prior decade.