The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) has developed a Know Your Rights guide to voting in Massachusetts ahead of the federal and state elections on Tuesday, November 5.
Trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people in Massachusetts have the right to vote freely in local, municipal, state, or federal elections. Despite that right, however, people occasionally encounter discrimination when they arrive at the polls — they may be questioned because their identification doesn’t match their gender presentation, or they’re in the process of having their name legally changed. And some may face other difficulties, such as trying to vote while being unstably housed or incarcerated.
With the tips MTPC has provided in this guide, you’ll be able to respond to some of the most common challenges that trans voters face.
The guide provides detailed answers the the following questions:
- Am I eligible to vote in Massachusetts?
- Do I need an ID to vote in Massachusetts?
- How do I know if I’m registered to vote, and how can I update my voter registration?
- Can I vote if I don’t have stable housing?
- How do I vote if I’m in the process of filing a legal name change?
- What can I do if I’m being discriminated against at my polling place?
- What else can I do to protect myself on Election Day?
- What other resources are there for trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming voters?
View MTPC’s Voting Guide here.
View a downloadable and printable copy of MTPC’s Voting Guide here.
— from an MTPC press release
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