Massachusetts voters have approved a change that will eventually allow eligible residents to register to vote at their polling place on Election Day.

Question 4 passed in the November 3 election, according to WBUR's reporting on the Associated Press race call.

The measure will allow eligible voters who missed the regular registration deadline to register in person on Election Day, provided they meet the new law's requirements.

The change could be useful for Chelsea residents who move, need to update their address or decide to participate after the normal registration cutoff.

There is one important limitation: Election Day registration does not begin until January 1, 2028.

The November 2026 election results were still awaiting formal certification when the measure was declared approved.

What will the new law allow?

Beginning in 2028, an eligible person will be able to register at the polling place assigned to the precinct where they live.

They must go during voting hours and complete the required application.

The law will also allow registered voters to update their residential address on Election Day.

This matters because a person who moves may not realize that their voter registration still reflects an old address.

Once the new law takes effect, Election Day registration will create another opportunity to correct that problem.

It will not replace early registration. Residents will still be able to register or update their information before the election.

What identification will be required?

The Secretary of the Commonwealth's official Question 4 summary describes the proof of residency requirements.

Acceptable documentation may include a valid photo identification card showing the person's name and address.

Other qualifying documents can include a current utility bill, bank statement, lease, paycheck or government correspondence showing the required information.

A person registering on Election Day will also need to sign a written oath confirming eligibility.

That includes affirming that they are a United States citizen, are at least 18 years old, are not otherwise prohibited from voting and have not voted elsewhere in the same election.

Providing false information carries serious legal consequences.

What if someone does not have the documents?

The law provides a provisional ballot procedure for eligible people who cannot present sufficient proof of residency at the polling place.

A provisional ballot is not automatically counted.

The voter must provide the necessary information within the deadline established for that type of election.

Under the approved measure, those deadlines differ between municipal elections, state primaries and state elections.

The new law also does not allow an already registered voter to change political party affiliation on Election Day.

Those details are important because Election Day registration is not simply a process of arriving at the polls without documentation.

What happens before 2028?

The existing registration rules remain in place until the measure takes effect.

State and local election officials will also need to prepare procedures for the new system.

Supporters of Question 4 argued that allowing registration on Election Day would remove barriers for eligible voters, especially people who move frequently or miss the deadline.

Critics expressed concerns about the additional work involved in verifying registrations at busy polling locations.

The approved law addresses eligibility and documentation through specific procedures that election workers will need to administer.

What Chelsea voters should know

Chelsea residents should continue checking their registration status well before an election.

The Massachusetts Elections Division provides information about registering, updating an address and finding a polling location.

Election Day registration will give eligible voters another option beginning in 2028.

Until then, meeting the existing deadlines remains essential.