BOSTON – Saturday, October 28, 2023 – The Boston Election Department is reminding voters that the Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The election will determine At-Large and District City Councilors for the City of Boston. Due to redistricting, the district that residents live in may have changed. Residents can get information about which City Council district they live in and view a sample ballot here. If a Boston voter has moved, changed their name, or did not fill out Boston’s residential listing, they may need to update their voting status. Boston voters have until October 28 to verify and update their voting status here. You can see who you’ll be voting for here!
Voter Registration Deadline and Registration Information
The Voter Registration Deadline for the Municipal Election is Saturday, October 28, 2023. Registration must be postmarked by October 28. Voters can register in person at the Boston Election Department, located in City Hall Room 241, by 5 p.m. or register online by 11:59 pm here.
In-person Early Voting
In-person Early Voting begins Saturday, October 28 and runs through Friday, November 3. City Hall is Boston’s primary early voting site, with voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Voters are encouraged to enter City Hall through the Hanover Street entrance to access the early voting location on the second floor.
Neighborhood early voting locations will be available throughout the city on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31 and Thursday, November 2nd. For a full list of early voting locations click here.
All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check in. Voters are advised that state-issued identifications are optional for quicker “check in,” but are not required. Early voting locations are well staffed with poll workers and interpreters, and fully accessible to voters with disabilities.
Vote-by-Mail
Voters may also choose to vote early by mail. Applications to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by Tuesday, October 31st at 5 p.m.
Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned using one of 21 drop boxes located throughout the City; in-person at the Boston Election Department located at City Hall Room 241; at an early voting voting location during the prescribed hours for voting; or via U.S. Mail.
Voters are asked to return all signed ballot packages, whether using a drop box or the US Mail in the white postage paid return envelope included with their vote by mail ballot. Ballots must reach the Boston Election Department or a ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7th to be counted. Ballots cannot be delivered to a polling location on Election Day.
Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballots here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in-person on Election Day.
Drop boxes will close at 9 a.m. on October 31 and remain closed until approximately 12 p.m. on November 1.
Accessible Voting
The Accessible Electronic Voting System allows voters who are unable to independently read, write, hold, or physically manipulate or mark ballots to submit their ballot via a secure electronic delivery system. Voter’s who qualify for an Accessible Electronic Ballot may apply here.
Please note: To get access to the electronic ballot, you will need to provide your email address.
Voting on Election Day
Polling locations open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. A list of polling locations can be found here. As a reminder, voters should check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish. Chinese and Vietnamese ballots will be available where required. Language interpreters will also be available upon request. All voting locations are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with AutoMark Voter Assist Terminal for voters with visual or hearing impairments.
Polling Location Changes
Unofficial Results
After polls close at 8:00 p.m., the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places as they are returned from each precinct.
Media Guidelines
Where to Stand
Members of the press must remain behind the guardrail. While many polling places are not equipped with a physical guardrail, the area within the “guardrail” encompasses the check-in table, the voting booths, and the ballot box. Only poll workers and voters should be within this area.
Interacting with Voters and Poll Workers
Members of the press, like all other observers in the polling place, may not interact with voters while they are in the polling place. Further, observers who have questions about where they should stand and what they are allowed to do while observing should ask to speak to the warden. The warden may provide members of the press with information regarding their rights as observers.
Photography
Photography of the voting process in the polling place is permitted, though marked ballots may not be photographed. Photographers are allowed inside the polling place to photograph the area from outside the guardrail. The warden may instruct the photographer not to take photos of any marked ballots.
Video & Audio Recording
As with photography of the polling place, video recording of the polling place is allowed. Audio recording of the polling place is not permitted under state law. Anyone recording in the polling place must have the ability to record without capturing audio and should be instructed to do so by the warden. Those who are using electronic equipment may not use the electricity in the polling place to power their equipment.
Exit Polling
Exit polling and interviews of voters are permitted outside the polling place, even within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling place, but only those voters who are leaving the polling place should be stopped. Voter access to the polling place should not be impeded in any way.
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.
