With voters heading to the polls in Boston on Tuesday for the first time since November 2024, officials are preparing to make sure this election goes much more smoothly than the last.
In Boston, the most recent presidential election was plagued by issues, including multiple polling locations running out of ballots and election workers unable to contact the city’s Election Department.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin launched an investigation into the handling of the election immediately afterward and eventually put the department into receivership.
During the Sept. 9 preliminary municipal election, Galvin said all voting precincts should have enough ballots for everyone, plus extras.
“We’re very confident all the ballots that will be necessary for the voters will be in place at the polling place,” Galvin told WBUR. “They will not have any risk of running out of ballots.”
- Read more: Election 2025: Your guide to Massachusetts’ September elections
This year, poll workers will use electronic devices known as “Poll Pads” to check in voters at all precincts, according to the city. Poll Pads have been used during early voting since 2016, but this is the first time they are being used on Election Day.
The devices will speed up the check-in process and make it easier for poll workers to communicate with the Election Department, the city said.
Poll workers have been given extra training this year and will have access to additional manuals to address any issues that may arise on Election Day, WBUR reported. The Election Department will have plenty of staff on hand to field calls. Poll workers will have a separate, direct line to the elections office so they can get in touch quickly if needed.
During the November 2024 election, ballot shortages led to long lines at affected precincts, with some voters unable to cast a ballot because of the wait time. Poll workers from some precincts got in touch with Galvin’s office when they couldn’t get through to the city’s Election Department and police had to rush additional ballots where they were needed.
Though state law requires cities and towns to have a ballot on hand for every registered voter, and Galvin’s office gave the city a full supply, a February report from the office found that the city failed to comply with those requirements or effectively train poll workers to be ready for issues.
- Read more: Mass. city, town clerks prepare for months to ensure secure election
Galvin told WBUR that the Boston Election Department would remain in receivership until he was “satisfied” that all of the previous issues had been addressed.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The preliminary election will narrow the field of candidates for municipal office to two for mayor, eight for city councilor at-large and two each for district councilor in Districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7.
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