City announces preparations for general election, early voting stats

BOSTON - Monday, November 7, 2016 - The City of Boston Election Department today released plans for the General Election taking place on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The polls in Boston will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Please visit here to check your voter status and your voting location. All absentee ballot applications must be in the possession of the Election Department by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016. Voters planning to vote absentee in person must be in the Election Department by 12:00 p.m. on November 7, 2016.

Voters who requested a ballot by mail must have their marked ballot returned to the Boston Election Department in room 241 either by mail or in person before 8 p.m. on November 8. Ballots that are not in by 8 p.m. will not be counted.

There are currently 415,536 registered voters in Boston, the highest number in the City in over 30 years. Prior to the 2012 presidential election, there were 387,142 voters registered in Boston.

During the Early Voting Period there were 47,909 ballots cast, representing 11.5% of the registered voters in the City of Boston.

Ballots have been printed for more than 100% of Boston's 415,536 registered voters. All polling places will be equipped with an Automark machine, which assists voters with sensory and physical limitations in marking their ballots; this device also provides translation assistance.

The following languages will be available at the polls and through a central translator telephone bank:

• Spanish
• Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects)
• Vietnamese
• Haitian Creole
• Cape Verdean Creole
• Russian

The Boston Election department has recruited and trained more than 1,800 poll workers to staff more than 170 polling locations, covering approximately 255 precincts. From answering calls from residents, to working the polling locations, to counting ballots, poll workers play a vital role in the success of Election Day.

To help boost civic engagement, residents are encouraged to use hashtag #BostonVotes on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, with photos of "I voted" stickers.

Unofficial election results will be posted online at boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Updates on turnout will be provided periodically via Twitter: @BostonElections, and the City of Boston Elections Department's Facebook account.

Please use the Election Department's website to receive additional information regarding the election; registered voters are able to use the site to locate polling locations.

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 must be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461.
• Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each poll's warden.
• Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and shots over the shoulders of voters 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.
• The unofficial election results will be posted online at https://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.