By Mayor Martin J. Walsh
We are slowly approaching the most important day of the year: Election Day. This year, although we’ll be voting under different circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please be assured the City of Boston is doing everything within our power to make sure you can make your voice heard with your vote. November 3, 2020 is a special date. The lives of families, businesses and communities are on the line. Voting is more important than ever before, and we need to elect officials who are able to help ensure Boston’s response and recovery from COVID-19 so we can restore our normal lives.
This election includes the following races: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor’s Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, Register of Probate, and Office of the President of the United States. Additionally, there are two ballot questions: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data & Law Proposed by Initiative Petition Ranked-Choice Voting.
This election cycle, all Massachusetts residents have been given the option to vote by mail, as well as many options to return their ballots either by mail, at an early voting site, or at a dropbox near you. We have had a robust early voting schedule, with dozens of neighborhood locations open for any Boston registered voter during weekdays and weekends. We even had Fenway Park as one of them, where over 4,000 Bostonians chose to cast their ballots. As of October 26, voter turnout in Boston stands at 24 percent. If you still haven’t cast your ballot yet, there’s still time: early voting runs through Friday, October 30, and if you have your ballot, you can still drop it off at a dropbox by 8 p.m. on November 3. You can also still vote in person, at your assigned polling place, on Election Day.
All polling locations in Boston are operating under COVID-19 safety guidelines: 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. On Election Day, polling locations are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Every vote counts. I encourage everyone to vote whether by mail or in-person. The City of Boston depends on your vote. For more information on how to participate in this year’s elections, please visit boston.gov/elections.
Martin Walsh is the Mayor of the City of Boston