How to Check if You’re Registered to Vote and Change Your Political Party Registration in Massachusetts

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – After the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, voters may want to switch political parties.

All eyes were on Trump and Harris as they made their case to the American people during Tuesday night’s debate. The stakes were high for both candidates. Harris has a limited window of time to define her candidacy and win over voters. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies are hoping he sticks to his message and turns around his rocky summer of campaigning.

What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?

Trump is a Republican. He has changed parties five times since 1999. Harris represents the Democratic Party and began her political career as the junior senator for California.

Democrats are largely associated with liberalism, a political philosophy based on a belief in progress. Republicans are associated with conservatism, a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability. However, the values, beliefs, and preferred policies that define each party change over time.

Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice president. They are campaigning on a “New Way Forward” agenda, advocating for lower costs for families, protecting fundamental freedoms, and ensuring safety and fairness.

Trump has chosen Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate for vice president. “Make America Great Again,” remains the campaign slogan, which includes rebuilding the economy, fair trade for workers, dominating the energy sector, securing national borders, dismantling drug cartels and crime, restoring safety, renewing leadership, rejecting globalism and embracing patriotism, improving care for veterans, protecting the rights of parents, defending law and liberty, ending censorship and reclaiming free speech, free, fair and lawful elections, draining the swamp of corruption in Washington and better health care choices at lower costs.

How many days until election day

The presidential election date is November 5. The last day to register to vote online, by mail or in person in Massachusetts is Saturday, October 26.

Register to vote in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, three political parties are recognized: Democratic, Libertarian, and Republican. When registering to vote in Massachusetts, all applicants are automatically listed as Unenrolled (usually referred to as “Independent”).

As of February, there were 4,957,403 registered voters in Massachusetts, of which 3,153,445 are unregistered. The Democratic Party has 1,336,825, the Republican Party has 415,438, and the Libertarian Party has 16,307 registered.

How to Update or Change Your Voter Registration

Unregistered voters may choose which party ballot they have on Election Day. Otherwise, registered voters may change their registration status to join a political party by notifying the Massachusetts elections office in writing or online at least 10 days before an election.