Know Your Rights
Your Rights as a Massachusetts Resident
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Voting Rights
To vote in Massachusetts you must be a U.S. citizen, a Massachusetts resident, and at least 18 years old on Election Day. The registration deadline is 10 days before any primary, general, or local election.
What’s unique about Massachusetts voting rights:
- Pre-registration at 16: Massachusetts residents can pre-register to vote at age 16. When you turn 18, you are automatically added to the voter rolls with no additional steps required.
- 17-year-olds in primaries: If you will be 18 by the date of the general election, you may vote in the primary election even if you are still 17.
- Automatic voter registration: Since January 2023 under the VOTES Act, eligible residents who interact with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (for a license or ID) are automatically registered to vote unless they opt out.
- Universal vote by mail: Any registered Massachusetts voter can request a mail ballot for any election, no excuse required.
- Felony convictions: Only people currently incarcerated for a felony conviction lose their right to vote. People on probation or parole retain full voting rights and can register immediately upon release from incarceration.
Free Speech and Free Petition
Your right to speak freely is protected by two constitutions at once. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from abridging free speech. Article 16 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights (originally written in 1780, predating the U.S. Bill of Rights) protects free speech and freedom of the press at the state level.
In 2023, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Barron v. Kolenda that government bodies cannot require “civility” as a condition of speaking at public meetings. Criticism of government officials, even when harsh or rude, is constitutionally protected speech under Articles 16 and 19 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights.
Article 19 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights also protects the right of free petition, which means any Massachusetts resident can directly file a bill with the state legislature. Massachusetts is the only state in the country where citizens hold this right.
Workplace Rights
Massachusetts workers are protected by some of the strongest employment laws in the country. These rights apply regardless of immigration status for most protections.
Wages
The Massachusetts minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. Employers must pay overtime (1.5x the regular rate) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Accrued, unused vacation time is treated as earned wages under the Massachusetts Wage Act and must be paid out upon termination.
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Massachusetts requires most employers to provide paid leave funded through a state insurance program. Workers can receive up to 12 weeks of paid family leave (to bond with a new child or care for a family member) and up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave for a serious personal health condition. Benefits are paid from the state program, not by your employer directly.
Earned Sick Time
All Massachusetts employees accrue at least one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Employers with 11 or more employees must provide this as paid sick time. As of November 2024, earned sick time can also be used for pregnancy loss, failed assisted reproduction, adoption, or surrogacy. Employers cannot retaliate against employees who use earned sick time.
Anti-Discrimination at Work
M.G.L. Chapter 151B prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age (40+), disability, national origin, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, and genetic information. The law applies to any employer with six or more employees. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections.
Housing Rights
Massachusetts provides significant legal protections for tenants, and landlords must follow specific procedures for deposits, entry, repairs, and evictions.
Security Deposits
A landlord can charge no more than one month’s rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the landlord must provide you with a receipt and the account information. You must receive the deposit back, with interest, within 30 days of moving out along with an itemized list of any deductions. Landlords who violate these rules can owe you triple damages under M.G.L. c. 186, Section 15B.
Safe and Habitable Housing
Massachusetts has a strong sanitary code (105 CMR 410) requiring landlords to keep rental units in safe, habitable condition. If conditions are serious (no heat, unsafe electrical wiring, pest infestation), tenants can report violations to the local board of health. In some circumstances, tenants may be able to withhold rent or repair defects and deduct the cost from rent.
Eviction
Landlords must have a legally valid reason to evict a tenant. Valid reasons include nonpayment of rent and lease violations. Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days’ written notice. Landlords cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities as a method of eviction. These are illegal “self-help” evictions. Boston enacted a local just cause eviction ordinance in 2024 providing additional protections for Boston tenants specifically.
Eviction Record Sealing
As part of the Affordable Homes Act signed in August 2024, Massachusetts tenants gained the ability to petition courts to seal certain eviction records, reducing barriers to future housing.
Consumer Rights
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, prohibits unfair or deceptive acts and practices in commerce. Enacted in 1967, it is one of the most powerful consumer protection laws in the country.
Chapter 93A covers a wide range of conduct: false advertising, charging more than the advertised price, deceptive contract terms, and other dishonest business practices. Consumers who are harmed can sue directly and, if a court finds the violation was willful or knowing, can recover double or triple damages plus attorney’s fees.
As of September 2025, new Attorney General regulations under Chapter 93A specifically target junk fees and deceptive subscription practices, requiring businesses to disclose all fees clearly and make cancellation as easy as sign-up.
Your Right to Government Information
Massachusetts law gives the public the right to access government records. The Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, Section 10) requires state and local government agencies to provide copies of most public records upon request, generally within 10 business days.
At the federal level, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides similar access to records held by federal agencies.
You do not need to state a reason for requesting a public record. Certain categories of records are exempt, including personnel files, ongoing criminal investigations, and some security information, but the vast majority of government activity is subject to public disclosure.
Where to Get Help
Several free and low-cost legal resources are available to Massachusetts residents who need help understanding or enforcing their rights.
- Massachusetts Legal Aid — A statewide directory of free civil legal aid programs. Start here if you are not sure where to go.
- MassLegalHelp — Plain-language guides to Massachusetts law covering housing, employment, family, and public benefits, produced by Greater Boston Legal Services.
- Greater Boston Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income residents in Greater Boston, with expertise in housing, employment, and immigration.
- ACLU of Massachusetts — Civil liberties advocacy and intake for free speech, discrimination, and civil rights matters.
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) — File a complaint about discrimination in employment, housing, education, or public accommodations. No attorney required.
- Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service — Connects residents with vetted private attorneys. Initial consultations are often free or low-cost.
Knowing your rights is the first step. Civic engagement is how you protect and expand them.