Boston, September 2, 2025
News Summary
The Boston Election Department is undergoing significant changes for the upcoming mayoral preliminary vote on September 9. Following state intervention after last year’s election issues, the department will implement electronic check-in systems, increase ballot supplies, and strengthen support for poll workers. A dedicated phone line will assist poll workers on Election Day, and the department aims to distribute enough ballots to cover 110 percent of registered voters. The election aims to improve operational readiness and prevent previous communication failures.
Boston
The Boston Election Department is implementing major changes ahead of the mayoral preliminary vote scheduled for September 9, following a state-ordered overhaul after last year’s troubled election. The department is under state receivership and will operate under heightened oversight through at least the end of 2026 while election officials expand electronic check-in systems, increase ballot supplies, recruit poll workers, and strengthen on-the-ground support for Election Day.
What’s changing now
City election officials are expanding the use of Poll Pads, an electronic check-in device that has been used for early voting since 2016. Poll Pads will be used for the first time at all 275 precincts on Election Day to speed voter check-in. Voters will continue to receive a paper ballot after checking in with a poll worker, so the core voting step remains unchanged.
The department plans to improve ballot availability by ordering and distributing significantly more ballots than in past elections. Officials have stated plans that include distributing enough ballots to account for 110 percent of registered voters and also ordering enough to cover a 100 percent citywide turnout, with additional copies reserved for replacements. Last year’s problems included inadequate ballot supplies that required extra ballots to be transported to polling sites using police cruisers.
A dedicated phone line staffed by volunteers will provide immediate support to poll workers who encounter problems on Election Day. The department has recruited 1,750 poll workers and continues to seek more; poll workers are being paid between $160 and $200 for their service.
Oversight, structure and accountability
The state placed the department under receivership after a botched election last year exposed serious communication breakdowns and shortages of ballots. The Secretary of the Commonwealth ordered an overhaul of the Boston Election Commission and appointed a designee to oversee operations through the end of 2026, with the option to extend oversight if needed. As part of the restructuring, the elections department has been moved under the city’s People Operations and Administration cabinet to strengthen administrative support.
Recent administrative issues addressed
In August, the department mailed multiple mail-in ballots to at least one voter in error. Election officials confirmed that safeguards are in place so that no voter can cast two ballots in the upcoming election. City election leadership has reported that preparations for the preliminary vote are progressing and that steps have been taken to prevent repeat problems.
Voting schedule and locations
Polls for the preliminary election on September 9 will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all precincts. The department approved ten early voting locations across Boston beginning August 30, 2023. Early voting will span six days and will allow voters to cast ballots at any approved early voting site regardless of precinct.
Key voter registration deadlines are in place: the registration deadline for the preliminary election is August 30. The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2023, and registration for that election closes on October 25.
Candidates and contests
Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu is running for re-election in the mayoral preliminary, joined by challengers Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa, and Robert Cappucci. The Boston City Council race will include ten candidates competing for four at-large seats.
Operational readiness and next steps
Election officials say staff training, equipment distribution, and poll worker recruitment are underway. Poll Pads will be deployed at every precinct for Election Day check-in, and the dedicated support line will be available to respond to logistical problems. These steps aim to address the communication failures and supply problems that led to state intervention after last year’s election.
Background
Last year’s election revealed significant operational gaps, including poor communication among election staff and a shortfall of ballot supplies. Those issues prompted the Secretary of the Commonwealth to place the Boston Election Department under receivership and require a comprehensive overhaul. Since then, city and state officials have taken measures intended to increase reliability and transparency in running elections, including administrative restructuring and expanded technology use.
FAQ
Will Poll Pads change how I vote?
Poll Pads will be used for electronic check-in at all precincts. After check-in, voters will still receive a paper ballot and vote as usual. The change is intended to speed the check-in process.
Can a voter cast more than one ballot?
Safeguards are in place to prevent any voter from casting two ballots. Although multiple mail-in ballots were mistakenly sent to at least one voter in August, officials have confirmed that no voter will be able to cast more than one ballot for the same election.
When and where can I vote early?
Ten early voting locations across Boston are open starting August 30, 2023, for six days. Voters may use any approved early voting location regardless of their home precinct.
What are the poll hours on Election Day?
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 9 at all precincts for the preliminary election.
How many ballots will be available?
The city plans to distribute ballots to account for 110 percent of registered voters and has ordered enough ballots to cover a 100 percent citywide turnout, with additional copies set aside for replacements.
How can I become a poll worker and what is the pay?
The department has recruited 1,750 poll workers and continues to seek more. Poll workers are paid between $160 and $200 for their service.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Election Date | September 9 (Polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.) |
| Early Voting | Ten locations starting August 30, 2023; six days; any location may be used |
| Voter Registration Deadlines | Preliminary: August 30 • General Election: October 25 (General Election on November 4, 2023) |
| Poll Pads | Deployed at all 275 precincts for Election Day check-in; paper ballots remain in use |
| Ballot supply | Plans include enough ballots for 110% of registered voters and orders to cover 100% turnout plus replacements |
| Poll workers | 1,750 recruited so far; pay between $160–$200; recruitment ongoing |
| Oversight | Department under state receivership with designee appointed through at least end of 2026 |
| Mayoral candidates (selected) | Michelle Wu (incumbent), Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa, Robert Cappucci |
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Additional Resources
- Axios: Boston Mayor Election Issues
- Wikipedia: Boston Election Department
- Dorchester Reporter: Election Update
- Google Search: Boston Mayoral Election 2025
- WCVB: Boston Mayoral Election Dates
- Google News: Boston 2025 Mayoral Election
- CBS News: Massachusetts Election Results
- Google Scholar: Boston 2025 Election
- Boston.com: Federal vs. State Power in Election
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
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