As Boston heats up with election fever, the Boston Election Department wants to ensure that every voter is equipped with the knowledge to participate in the Preliminary Municipal Election on September 9. The Department is reminding everyone that this day will narrow down the field of mayoral candidates to two, alongside the top choices for District City Councilor and the eight for At-Large City Councilor. Detailed in an announcement on the City of Boston's website, having no preliminary elections for certain districts, these races have already reached a critical mass of decision.
The clock is ticking for those who haven't registered to vote. The deadline is virtually breathing down our necks – today, to be exact. Registration can be carried out in various ways, either in person at the Boston Election Department until 5 p.m., online until 11:59 p.m., or by sending in a mail application postmarked by the same date. Time to mark calendars and set reminders because procrastination is not an option.
For voters who like to get ahead of the game, early voting is an option starting today and running until next Friday, with a brief pause on Labor Day. Among the locations on offer, Boston City Hall will serve as the early voting hub with extended hours to accommodate the civic-minded rush. Additional information about early voting times and locations can be readily found on the Election Department's website.
If you are opting for mail-in voting instead, Tuesday is the deadline to apply, and voters can do both: request a ballot through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website or by visiting the City's Election Department. Being indulgent in choices might be a gamble on getting ballots in on time, so in-person voting on Election Day could be the backup plan.
Accessibility is a key part of the electoral process, and the Boston Election Department is dedicated to ensuring that every eligible voter can easily cast their ballot. The City is bolstering its support for individuals with disabilities through the Accessible Electronic Voting System, with a Tuesday deadline to apply for accessible ballots. Polling places will also be equipped with AutoMark Voter Assist Terminals and language interpreters, striving to embrace inclusivity fully.
Election Day will see the implementation of new tech with Poll Pads facilitating the check-in process across Boston's 275 precincts. While new to some voters, these devices have been part of the city's early voting system since 2016 and aim to streamline the voting experience.
Meanwhile, for those keen on the mechanics of the electoral process, the City will kick off the advance processing of ballots on Monday. All early ballots will enter the central tabulation to ensure a speedy and accurate counting come election night. The use of electronic tabulators will tally up the votes cast during early voting and by mail.
The Election Department has set guidelines for media members covering this democratic exercise. Press crews are reminded to keep their distance, positioned behind an invisible “guardrail” that envelopes the sanctity of the polling place. Photographing the proceedings is allowed, though capturing images of marked ballots is a no-no. Questions about logistics or where to set up should be directed to the precinct’s warden, who will inform press representatives of their observation rights. As voters exit the polling place, exit polling can take place, provided that it's done 150 feet away from the entrance so as not to hinder access.
Unofficial results will start trickling in once polls close at 8 p.m., including the tallies from early and mail-in votes. For ballot trackers, those arriving on Election Day but after the central tabulation cutoff will be processed later in the evening after the precinct-level voter lists come in. As the night unfolds, it's worth keeping an eye on the Election Department's website for those preliminary numbers, offering a first glimpse into the political landscape Bostonians are shaping for their city.
