Dropboxes will be available at City Hall and early voting locations from August 22 through August 28
BOSTON – Wednesday, August 19, 2020 – In preparation for the September 1 State Primary, the Boston Election Department today announced the availability of dropboxes for registered voters to vote by mail. The election includes the following races: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor’s Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, and Register of Probate.
A dropbox is available to any voter on the third floor of Boston City Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, dropboxes will be available at each early voting location during the scheduled voting hours. As a reminder, the last day to register to vote in the September 1 State Primary is Saturday, August 22.
Voters dropping off their application to vote by mail or their completed ballot at City Hall should enter from City Hall Plaza, and will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the building. Voters can drop off their application to vote by mail by August 26, 2020 or their completed ballot by September 1.
Early voting
Due to COVID-19, health and safety protocols during the early voting period and on Election Day will be implemented at polling locations. 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 6 feet away from others and wear a face covering.
Voters registered in Boston can vote during the early voting period from Saturday, August 22 through Friday, August 28, 2020 at any of the early voting sites. No excuse is required to vote early. Hours and locations for early voting can be found here.
Vote by mail
All registered voters have received a vote-by-mail application in their mail boxes during the week of July 20, 2020. The application is in a postcard format. To receive a ballot, voters must first complete, sign and return the prepaid postcard application to the Election Department by August 26, 2020 for the State Primary. Voters may request a ballot using the vote-by-mail application for the September 1, 2020 State Primary, November 3, 2020 State Election or all 2020 elections. Voters may also request ballots in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Residents who have requested to vote by mail can track their ballots online.
Absentee voting in person is available until August 31, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the Elections Department in City Hall. To qualify to vote absentee, registered voters must be absent from the City on Election Day, must have a religious belief which prevents them from going inside of a polling location, or have a physical disability which prevents them from going to a polling location. The application to request an absentee ballot can be completed by mail or in person at the Election Department in City Hall. Learn more about applying here.
Election Day
Polling locations in Boston for the State Primary election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. The City recently announced 20 precinct polling location changes this cycle. Individuals can find their polling location for Election Day on the state’s website.
The ballot will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Language assistance will be available on Election Day by translators at polling locations or by contacting the Election Department’s translation phone bank. Those interested can apply to be a poll worker here.
For more information on how to participate in this year’s elections, please visit boston.gov/election.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
