Tuesday is the State Primary, What You Need to Know in Boston

By Liz Taurasi (Patch Staff)

The State Primary Election is Tuesday, Sept. 9. Here’s some important information to know before heading to the polls. Information on this year’s candidates can be found at the following links:

Democratic Candidates
Republican Candidates

Who Can Vote?

The Primary is a partisan election; therefore all voters registered in the Democratic and Republican parties are eligible to vote. Voters registered as un-enrolled (commonly referred to as ‘independent’) must choose a party, and will automatically return to un-enrolled status following the election.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots must be received before 8 p.m. on the day of the election.

Voting Hours and Polling Locations in Boston

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday throughout Boston. To find your polling location, visit cityofboston.gov/elections/voter.

Note for Back Bay Voters: Due to renovations in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, voting for Back Bay residents who live in Ward 5, Precincts 7 & 8, will take place in the Gordon Chapel of the Old South Church at 645 Boylston St., directly across from the library, according to the Board of Election Commissioners. The Boston Architectural College space, meanwhile, is no longer available, due to the school’s need for more classroom space. As such, Ward 5, Precinct 9 voters must now vote at St. Cecilia’s Church, 18 Belvidere St.

All precincts will have English/Spanish ballots, and English/Chinese and English/Vietnamese ballots will be available in precincts where the population requires them, according to city officials. Interpreters will be available to assist voters in Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean, and Russian as well as other languages.

Voters are also encouraged to confirm their voter status and polling location by visiting the Secretary of State’s office online or by calling the election department. If your 2014 census was not received by this office, voters will be required to complete paperwork at the polls.

Campaign Signs at Polling Locations

Candidates and supporters are reminded that according to MGL Ch. 54 §65 signs are allowed at the polling place as long as they are outside the 150-foot radius around the entrance of the polling place. In addition, signs must not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Posters, cards, handbills, placards, pictures or circulars intended to influence the action of the voter are also not permitted within the 150-foot radius.

For more information, email the Boston Election Department at election@boston.gov, call 617-635-3767 or visit cityofboston.gov/elections.