Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 83: Deposit of ballots, voting list check, endorsement

Section 83. In a precinct at which a check-out table is used, a voter, after marking the voter's ballot, shall give the voter's name, and, if requested, residence, to an officer in charge of the ballot box, who shall distinctly announce the voter's name and, if requested, residence. If the name is found on the voting list by the local election officer, the local election officer shall distinctly repeat the name and check it on the voting list. The voter may then deposit the ballot in the ballot box. No ballot without the official endorsement, except as provided in section 61, shall be deposited in the ballot box. A city or town clerk may opt to eliminate the use of a voting list at the check-out table but shall maintain an officer in charge of the ballot box.