Boston launches website on early voting
Boston launches website on early voting
Boston officials launched a website Monday giving voters all they need to know about early voting. The “Vote Early Boston” site is part of the city's outreach to registered voters, said Dion Irish, the city's elections commissioner.
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Early voting — Oct. 24 through Nov. 4 — was signed into law in 2014 by former governor Deval Patrick.
By Meghan E. Irons GLOBE STAFF
SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
Boston officials launched a website Monday giving voters all they need to know about early voting.
The “Vote Early Boston” site is part of the city’s outreach to registered voters, said Dion Irish, the city’s elections commissioner.
“This is hugely important,’’ Irish said. “It really expands access to the ballots. It provides convenience to voters who may have difficulties participating within the confines on election date.
Early voting -- Oct. 24 through Nov. 4 — was signed into law in 2014 by former governor Deval Patrick. It requires communities to let residents vote during a 10-day window immediately before Election Day during biennial statewide elections. This is the first year Massachusetts will try it out.
At least 37 states have laws allowing people to cast absentee ballots without an excuse, or in person, before Election Day.
The 2014 law stipulates that cities and towns must have at least one early voting site open during business hours. It also gives municipalities the ability to extend their hours, hold polling hours on weekends, and establish additional voting sites — though they are not required to do so.
Irish said the city will open 28 polling stations during that period, including at City Hall, which will be open until 8 p.m.
Any voter can take a ballot at any location, he added. And unlike absentee ballots -- where voters have to provide an excuse -- residents don’t have to give a reason for voting early.
The absentee ballot deadline is Nov. 3. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 19.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...xdJ/story.html
