Your ballot, explained.

Heard this? Here are the facts

Each claim gets a plain status: True, False, or Promised, not law.

• Heard this? "Every Massachusetts voter must show a photo ID to vote." False
  The facts: Most voters do not show ID. A poll worker may ask for ID if you are voting for the first time in Massachusetts, are on the inactive list, cast a provisional or challenged ballot, or for a practical and legal reason. ID does not need a photo: a utility bill, lease, or other printed paper with your name and address counts. source: sec.state.ma.us
• Heard this? "You can register and vote on Election Day in Massachusetts this year." False
  The facts: For the Nov 3, 2026 election, the registration deadline is Saturday, Oct 24. Question 4 on this ballot would allow Election Day registration, but only starting Jan 1, 2028 if it passes. source: sec.state.ma.us source: sec.state.ma.us
• Heard this? "You need a reason, like being out of town, to vote by mail." False
  The facts: Any registered voter may vote by mail without giving a reason. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 6, 2026. Drop boxes are in most cities and towns. source: sec.state.ma.us source: sec.state.ma.us
• Heard this? "Anyone with a felony conviction can never vote again in Massachusetts." False
  The facts: The bar applies to people currently incarcerated because of a felony conviction. People who are not currently incarcerated for a felony can register if they meet the other rules (U.S. citizen, Massachusetts resident, 18 or older). source: sec.state.ma.us
• Heard this? "16- and 17-year-olds cannot sign up to vote." False
  The facts: 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register. They are added to the voter list when they turn 18. source: sec.state.ma.us
• Heard this? "You'll get $5,000 after the election." Promised, not law
  The facts: On Sept. 9, 2026 the President promised every adult $5,000, a "Trump Dividend", if Republicans keep both the House and the Senate. It is a campaign promise that depends on the election results; no law or payment exists today. Congress would have to pass it, and AP estimates it would cost over $1 trillion. Is this legal? Experts disagree. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, wrote: "No, Mr. President you can't offer voters $5000 if the Republicans win the House and Senate." Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner called it a completed crime under the federal vote-buying law (18 U.S.C. 597). Election attorney John Day told AP it is legal because it would go to everyone regardless of how they vote: "This is a campaign promise." Rice University political scientist Mark Jones: "It's unsavory, but it's legal." Your ballot is secret, so no payment can depend on how you personally vote. source: kold.com source: internazionale.it source: newsweek.com source: ibtimes.co.uk source: katv.com
• Heard this? "Someone can legally pay you to vote, or to vote a certain way." False
  The facts: No. Paying or offering to pay anyone to vote or to register to vote in a federal election is a federal crime (52 U.S.C. 10307(c)). Accepting the payment is a crime too. source: law.cornell.edu
• Heard this? "The $1 million-a-day giveaway in 2024 paid people for voting." False
  The facts: That contest was open only to registered voters in seven swing states, and entering meant signing a petition, not voting. The group's lawyer told a Pennsylvania court the winners were "not chosen by chance". The judge let it continue. source: aljazeera.com

Checked against official sources, court records and news reports. We update this as new claims go around.