City of Boston issues reminders ahead of state election tomorrow

The City of Boston Election Department is reminding residents that tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, 2020 is the State Election. Registered voters who haven't cast their ballots are encouraged to make a voting plan now: either return their mail-in ballot as soon as possible or vote in person at their assigned polling location. If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and arrive by November 6 to be counted. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned by being deposited in any of the 17 dropboxes located around the City of Boston.

The City of Boston held a two-week early voting period with 27 polling locations around the City of Boston. During that period, 55,716 votes were cast in person. In addition, 103,268 votes have already been cast by mail. To date, voter turnout among registered Boston voters is at 36.5 percent. By comparison, in 2016 there were 277,366 votes cast, for a turnout of 66.75 percent for the State Election.

The election includes the following races: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor's Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, Register of Probate, and Office of the President of the United States. In addition to the races, there are two ballot questions: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data & Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Ranked-Choice Voting, and two public policy questions in State Representative Districts 11, 15, 17 and 18. Voters can view their ballot here.

On Election Day, printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. There are over 566 poll workers who are able to provide assistance across the 255 voting precincts in languages including: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean, Russian, and Portuguese. All poll workers have been trained on following the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Due to COVID-19, health and safety protocols on Election Day will be implemented at each polling location. All poll workers will receive face shields, face masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer. Cleaning will take place at each site every two to three hours. Voters waiting in line will be instructed to stand six feet away from others and wear a face covering. 

Voting

There are now two methods of voting available for registered voters: vote by mail or in-person on Election Day. Voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots or absentee ballots must have their signed ballot returned to the Boston Election Department by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2020, but postmarked by November 3, 2020 to be counted. Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballots here. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned to the Election Department by dropping it off at any of the 17 dropboxes located around the City of Boston. All dropbox locations can be found here. If a voter brings a vote-by-mail ballot to their polling location on Election Day, they will be provided with the opportunity to cast their vote in person instead. A poll worker will assist them in ensuring that their mail-in ballot is discarded before casting the in-person vote. 

On Election Day, polling locations in Boston will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Voters who have changed their mind about voting by mail and their ballot has not been received by the Election Department, may vote in-person at their designated polling location. Voters can find their polling location for Election Day here.

Voters are reminded there are 20 precinct polling location changes this election cycle, the same as the State Primary election:

Additionally, there are six voter entrance changes to polling locations this cycle, the same as the State Primary election:

Media guidelines

• Members of the media are reminded that certain rules must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters. 

• Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away.

• Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed. Interview requests for the Election Department should be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461.

• Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each polling location's warden.

• Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and over-the-shoulder shots will not be allowed. Please respect every voter's right to a private ballot.

• The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m.

• Unofficial results will be posted online at www.boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m.

• Updates will be provided periodically via our Facebook and Twitter account: @BostonElections

• Please do not call the Election Department for results. You will only be referred to the website.

For more information about the State Election, please visit boston.gov/elections or contact the Boston Election Department 617-635-8683 or Election@boston.gov.

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