City of Boston issues reminder for today's special state election for first Suffolk and Middlesex senate districts

The City of Boston Election Department announced that polls will be open today from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. for the Special State Election for First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate districts. 
Today's Special State Election is not a citywide election, the following areas in Boston are included in the First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District:

• East Boston, All precincts ( Ward 1 Precincts 1-14),
• Chinatown, Downtown and the North End (Ward 3 Precincts 1-4, 6 & 8), and 
• Bay Village and Beacon Hill (Ward 5 Precincts 1, 3, 4, 5 & 11).

Ballots have been printed for Boston's  51,864 registered voters who live in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District; which includes 22,720 in the Democratic Party, 5,174 in the Republican party, 213 in the United Independent Party, 48 in the Green-Rainbow Party, and 23,709 voters who are not enrolled in any political party (unenrolled are often referred to as Independents) and may chose one party's ballot to vote with on May 10t, 2016.  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 department has recruited and trained more than 165 poll workers to staff more than 18 polling locations, covering approximately 25 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.

Election results will be posted online at www.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.

Members of the media are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be carried out at least 150 feet away from the site
• Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed
• Interview requests for the Election Commissioner 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. on May 10, 2016.