Boston, October 25, 2025
News Summary
The City of Boston is preparing for its General Municipal Election on November 4. Residents will vote for Mayor and City Council members, featuring a mayoral contest between Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft. Key dates include voter registration deadlines on October 25 and early voting from October 25 to 31. Polling places will be open on Election Day, and various accessibility options will be in place to ensure all residents can participate in the electoral process.
Boston
The City of Boston is gearing up for its General Municipal Election scheduled for November 4. Residents will vote for Mayor and members of the Boston City Council, with a mayoral contest between Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft. Nine District City Council seats and four At-Large City Council seats will be contested this year.
Key voting dates and contests
Election Day is November 4, when voters will choose the next leader of Boston and members of the City Council. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will face challenger Josh Kraft in the general election. Election Day will determine the next leader of Boston following a preliminary election where Wu and Kraft emerged victorious.
Voter registration and deadlines
Voter registration deadlines are approaching. In-person registration closes on October 25 at 5 p.m., and online registration closes by 11:59 p.m. the same day. Residents can register to vote in person at City Hall, online at voteinma.com, or by mail, provided the mail is postmarked before the deadline.
Early voting and accessibility
Early voting will be available from October 25 to October 31. Early voting locations will offer various hours and will not require voters to go to their assigned polling locations. All registered Boston voters are eligible to vote early, and all ballot styles will be available at the early voting sites. Accessible voting equipment, including AutoMark machines, will be available for voters who need assistance. Language interpreters and terminals for accessible voting will be provided at polling locations. An Accessible Electronic Voting System is in place to support voters with disabilities.
Polling places, hours and check-in
Polling locations will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Election Department is implementing Poll Pads for secure and efficient voter check-ins.
Ballot handling, mail ballots and processing
Advance processing of ballots will take place at City Hall from October 27 through October 31. As of Thursday, 51,769 mailed ballots were sent out, with 11,602 returned. Voters are encouraged to use alternative delivery methods for mailing ballots to ensure they are counted on time.
Poll workers and operational staffing
The Boston Election Department is actively seeking poll workers and has issued a call for applications. Poll workers will receive a stipend ranging from $160 to $200. Interested individuals can apply through the city’s website or contact the Election Department via email or phone.
Election integrity and media access
Election media guidelines will be established to regulate press access and uphold election integrity. The Election Department is taking steps to ensure ballots, check-in systems, and voting equipment are secure and accessible throughout early voting and on Election Day.
Background and context
The general municipal election follows a preliminary round that narrowed the field for the mayoral contest and City Council seats. Community advocates and former police officers were among candidates previously eliminated, leaving the final matchups to be decided by voters on November 4. The Election Department’s combined focus on outreach, accessibility, and staffing aims to facilitate participation and ensure ballots are processed and counted according to established procedures.
FAQ
When is the General Municipal Election?
Election Day is November 4, when voters will choose the next leader of Boston and members of the City Council.
Who are the mayoral candidates in the general election?
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will face challenger Josh Kraft in the general election.
Which City Council seats are contested?
Nine District City Council seats and four At-Large City Council seats will be contested this year.
What are the voter registration deadlines?
Voter registration deadlines are approaching, with in-person registration closing on October 25 at 5 p.m., and online registration by 11:59 p.m. the same day.
How can residents register to vote?
Residents can register to vote in person at City Hall, online at voteinma.com, or by mail, provided the mail is postmarked before the deadline.
When is early voting available?
Early voting will be available from October 25 to October 31.
Do early voting locations require voters to go to their assigned polling locations?
Early voting locations will offer various hours and will not require voters to go to their assigned polling locations.
Are all registered Boston voters eligible to vote early?
All registered Boston voters are eligible to vote early, and all ballot styles will be available at the early voting sites.
What accessibility accommodations will be available?
Accessible voting equipment, including AutoMark machines, will be available for voters who need assistance.
What are the polling hours on Election Day?
Polling locations will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Is the city using electronic systems for voter check-in?
The Election Department is implementing Poll Pads for secure and efficient voter check-ins.
When will ballots be processed in advance?
Advance processing of ballots will take place at City Hall from October 27 through October 31.
How many mailed ballots have been sent and returned?
As of Thursday, 51,769 mailed ballots were sent out, with 11,602 returned.
What should voters do with mailed ballots?
Voters are encouraged to use alternative delivery methods for mailing ballots to ensure they are counted on time.
Is there an electronic voting system for voters with disabilities?
An Accessible Electronic Voting System is in place to support voters with disabilities.
Is the city seeking poll workers?
The Boston Election Department is actively seeking poll workers and has issued a call for applications.
What stipend will poll workers receive?
Poll workers will receive a stipend ranging from $160 to $200.
Will there be rules for media at election sites?
Election media guidelines will be established to regulate press access and uphold election integrity.
Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Election Day | November 4 |
| Mayoral Candidates | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft |
| City Council Contests | Nine District seats; four At-Large seats |
| Voter Registration Deadlines | In-person: October 25 at 5 p.m.; Online: October 25 by 11:59 p.m. |
| Early Voting | October 25 to October 31; all registered Boston voters eligible |
| Early Voting Access | All ballot styles available; early sites do not require assigned polling location |
| Polling Hours (Election Day) | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Accessible Voting | AutoMark machines, Accessible Electronic Voting System, interpreters, terminals |
| Advance Ballot Processing | City Hall, October 27 through October 31 |
| Mailed Ballots (current) | 51,769 sent out; 11,602 returned |
| Poll Worker Stipend | $160 to $200 |
| How to Apply for Poll Work | Apply through the city’s website or contact the Election Department via email or phone |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Early Voting in Boston Starts This Weekend
- Wikipedia: Elections in Boston
- New York Times: Boston Mayor Wu Preliminary Election
- Google Search: Boston mayoral election 2025
- NBC News: Boston Mayor Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- WCVB: Boston Preliminary Election Mayor Results
- Google News: Boston mayoral election results
- MassLive: Wu Takes First Place in Boston’s Mayoral Preliminary Election
- Google Scholar: Boston municipal election 2025
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON 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.
