Boston, August 22, 2025
News Summary
Boston is gearing up for its mayoral election set for the fall, with incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu running against challengers Josh Kraft, Robert Cappucci, and Domingos DaRosa. The election process will begin with a preliminary on September 9, narrowing the candidates down to two for the general election on November 4. Key issues include housing affordability, public safety, and transparency in campaign finance. Voter registration deadlines are approaching, making it crucial for residents to stay informed and engaged.
Boston — Boston voters will choose the city’s next mayor in a two-step, nonpartisan election cycle this fall, beginning with a preliminary municipal election on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 and concluding with a general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu is running for reelection against three challengers — Josh Kraft, Robert Cappucci, and Domingos DaRosa — and recent polling shows Wu with a significant lead over her nearest rival.
What voters need to know now
The preliminary election on Sept. 9 will reduce the field to two candidates who will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. The last day to register to vote for the preliminary is Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Early voting for the preliminary runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, 2025, with no early voting on Labor Day (Sept. 1). For the general election, voter registration closes on Oct. 25, 2025, and early voting is scheduled from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31, 2025. Polls on both election days will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Current standings and candidate field
Recent polls indicate the incumbent holds a commanding lead, with some estimates placing her at roughly 60% support versus about 30% for Josh Kraft. The two other challengers, Robert Cappucci and Domingos DaRosa, are trailing with markedly lower support and are not polling at levels competitive with the leading pair. All candidates run together in a single, nonpartisan preliminary rather than in separate partisan primaries. City Council candidates will also appear on the preliminary ballot.
Key campaign issues
Housing affordability is a central issue in the race. The incumbent has pursued policies aimed at expanding affordable housing, including a rent control plan that faced legal and political challenges. The leading challenger proposes speeding up housing construction and has suggested an “opt-in rent control” approach as an alternative. Both campaigns emphasize different approaches to increasing housing supply and affordability.
Public safety is another major focus, especially debates over conditions at the encampment area known as “Mass and Cass.” The incumbent has faced criticism over her handling of the situation, while her leading challenger proposes increasing police presence and taking a more robust enforcement approach. These competing ideas on enforcement, services, and coordination with local agencies are central to voters’ evaluations.
Other campaign debates include plans for renovating White Stadium to accommodate a new women’s soccer team. Opponents have raised concerns about project costs and potential conflicts of interest, making the stadium plan a contentious local issue. Transparency and financial disclosure have also become campaign issues; competing candidates are being urged to release detailed financial records, and limited disclosure by one challenger has drawn criticism from opponents.
Who the candidates are
The race includes four mayoral candidates: incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu; businessman and housing-focused challenger Josh Kraft; former police officer Robert Cappucci; and community activist Domingos DaRosa. The preliminary will identify the two top vote-getters who will move on to the general election in November.
Voter access and logistics
Voters can register online, in person, or by mail before the posted deadlines for each election. Early voting windows are scheduled to allow in-person voting ahead of Election Day, and polls on election days will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters should confirm their registration status and polling location before heading to the polls.
Context and background
Mayor Michelle Wu made history as the first woman and the first person of color elected to Boston’s mayoral office. Her time in office has elevated local debates about immigration policy and city services to national attention. The upcoming election is being watched closely because it will determine whether the city continues its current policy course or shifts toward different strategies on housing, public safety, development projects, and transparency.
Election process notes
- The Boston mayoral election is nonpartisan: all candidates compete together in the preliminary.
- The preliminary narrows the field to two candidates for the general election.
- City Council contests are decided in the same preliminary election.
Next steps for voters
Voters should note the registration deadlines and early voting dates, review candidate information, and plan to vote either during an early voting period or on Election Day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If undecided, the remaining weeks before the preliminary are when campaigns intensify efforts to reach swing voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the elections?
The preliminary municipal election is on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. The general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
What are the voter registration deadlines?
Registration for the preliminary closes on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Registration for the general election closes on Oct. 25, 2025.
When can I vote early?
Early voting for the preliminary runs Aug. 30–Sept. 5, 2025 (no early voting on Labor Day). Early voting for the general election runs Oct. 25–Oct. 31, 2025.
What are polling hours?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both the preliminary and general election days.
How does the nonpartisan preliminary work?
All mayoral and City Council candidates appear on the same preliminary ballot. The top two vote-getters in the preliminary advance to the general election.
Who are the main candidates?
The mayoral field includes incumbent Michelle Wu and challengers Josh Kraft, Robert Cappucci, and Domingos DaRosa. Recent polls show Wu and Kraft leading, with Cappucci and DaRosa trailing.
What are the central issues in the campaign?
Key issues include housing affordability and policy approaches to public safety, including the response to the Mass and Cass encampment. Other debates concern project spending and transparency on development plans like White Stadium.
How can I register to vote?
Voters may register online, in person, or by mail before the applicable deadlines. Confirm registration status with local election officials well before the deadline.
Quick Reference: Key Dates and Details
| Event | Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Election Day | Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 | Top two candidates advance to general election |
| Preliminary Voter Registration Deadline | Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 | Last day to register for the preliminary |
| Preliminary Early Voting | Aug. 30–Sept. 5, 2025 | No early voting on Labor Day (Sept. 1) |
| General Election Day | Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 | Final mayoral and City Council races decided |
| General Voter Registration Deadline | Oct. 25, 2025 | Last day to register for the general election |
| General Early Voting | Oct. 25–Oct. 31, 2025 | In-person early voting period |
| Polling Hours (Both Elections) | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Standard hours for Election Day voting |
| Mayoral Candidates | — | Michelle Wu; Josh Kraft; Robert Cappucci; Domingos DaRosa |
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Additional Resources
- Wicked Local: Boston Mayor Election Voting Day Is Coming Up
- NBC Boston: 2025 Boston Mayoral Election Voter’s Guide
- Boston.com: Contributors to the 2025 Boston Mayoral Election
- MassLive: Boston Mayoral Candidates’ Strategies for Housing Crisis
- Google Search: Boston Mayoral Election 2025
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
