Boston early voting for the November 3, 2026, State Election opens Saturday, October 17, and runs through Friday, October 30, the Boston Election Department said, as the city also set a October 24 voter registration deadline and renewed its call for paid poll workers.
The statewide contest will choose Massachusetts’ governor, a United States senator, members of the U.S. House, seats in the Massachusetts General Court, and other local offices. Nine ballot questions will also appear on the ballot. Election officials are urging voters to review choices before Election Day and to use early voting or vote-by-mail options if those methods are more convenient.
Early voting dates, City Hall, and neighborhood sites
Any registered Boston voter may cast an early ballot at any early voting location in the city; no excuse is required. Boston City Hall’s Haymarket Room is the primary daily site. Hours there are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the early voting window, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Officials recommend entering City Hall from the north side entrance on Congress Street, across from the Haymarket T station.
Neighborhood early voting sites open on weekends and selected weekdays. Locations across East Boston, Chinatown, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Back Bay, Allston, Charlestown, South Boston, Mattapan, West Roxbury, Mission Hill, Roslindale, and the Seaport are scheduled for Saturday–Sunday, October 17–18 and October 24–25, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and for certain Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m. A full day-by-day list is published on the city’s early voting page.
All early voting sites use electronic poll books for check-in, are staffed with poll workers and interpreters, and are accessible to voters with disabilities. AutoMark machines are available for voters who need help marking ballots. The early voting period ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30. Voters who miss that window can still vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their assigned polling place.
Registration, mail ballots, and processing deadlines
The voter registration deadline for the November 3 election is Saturday, October 24. Residents may register in person at the Boston Election Department, 1 City Hall Square, Room 241, by 5 p.m. that day; online at voteinma.com by 11:59 p.m.; or by mail with forms postmarked by October 24.
Vote-by-mail applications are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27. Voters may apply through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, at the Election Department in Room 241, or by mailing an application. Officials warn not to place applications in ballot drop boxes, which delays processing. Completed mail ballots must reach the Election Department by November 3, or by 5 p.m. on November 6 if postmarked by November 3. Drop boxes across Boston are emptied daily; voters can track ballots at trackmyballotma.com.
Accessible electronic ballot applications share the October 27, 5 p.m. deadline. Central tabulation of early and mail ballots begins Monday, October 26, at City Hall Room 801, with daily processing generally from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Election Day. Ballots received before Friday, October 30, are among those removed for advance processing; later arrivals follow separate precinct or post-election tally rules published by the city.
Statewide, the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth confirms that early voting for the November 3 State Election runs October 17–30, including weekend hours on October 17–18 and October 24–25 in every city and town. Voters should check their community’s schedule because some municipalities limit Friday hours.
Poll workers and how this election fits broader midterm calendars
The Election Department is recruiting poll workers for November 3. Stipends range from $160 to $200 plus pay for required training. Applicants may request a location near home; bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged. Applications and information are at boston.gov/pollworkers, pollworkers@boston.gov, or 617-635-0905.
Massachusetts voters weighing ballot language this cycle can also review our explainer on Massachusetts Question 9 and what a yes or no vote means. For the national picture around congressional control and key dates, see our report on the 2026 midterm elections, Congress, and what to watch.
Election Day photography and video of polling places are generally allowed from outside the guardrail area, but marked ballots may not be photographed and audio recording inside polling places is not permitted under state law, the city reminded media and observers. Exit polling is allowed outside within 150 feet if it does not block voter access.
Practical checklist for Boston voters
Confirm registration status before October 24. Choose an early voting site or submit a vote-by-mail application by October 27 if you prefer not to wait until November 3. Bring acceptable identification if required at check-in, and allow extra time at popular City Hall hours. If you return a mail ballot in person, use official drop boxes or early voting sites rather than leaving applications in drop boxes.
Questions for the Boston Election Department can go to election@boston.gov or 617-635-8683. Early voting maps and the complete neighborhood schedule remain the authoritative city sources for hours and addresses as Election Day approaches.