City of Boston issues State Primary reminders

The City of Boston Election Department is reminding residents that Tuesday, September 1, 2020 is the State Primary election. The Primary 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. On Election Day, polling locations in Boston will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to confirm their polling location for Election Day here.

Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. For this year's State Primary, there are 420,345 registered voters in Boston. The Election Department has recruited and trained more than 1,800 poll workers to work at polling locations across the City that house 255 voting precincts. There are over 300 poll workers who are able to provide assistance in 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. 

Voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots or absentee ballots must have their signed ballot returned to the Boston Election Department by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 1, 2020 in order 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 the dropbox located on the third floor of Boston City Hall (City Hall Plaza entrance) between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, August 31 and between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. If a voter brings a vote-by-mail ballot to their polling location, they will be provided with the opportunity to cast their vote in person. A poll worker will assist them in ensuring that their mail-in ballot is discarded before casting the in-person vote. 

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.

Additionally, in-person absentee voting is available until August 31, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the Election 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 in person at the Election Department in City Hall. Learn more about applying here. 

Voters are reminded there are 20 precinct polling location changes this election cycle:

Additionally, there are five voter entrance changes to polling locations this cycle:

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 Primary, please visit boston.gov/elections or contact the Boston Election Department 617-635-8683 or Election@boston.gov.

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