Feb. 10 — Deadline for Boston Voters to Register for March 1 Presidential Primary

It is important to note that primary elections are centered on party nominations. In the primary a registered voter may only vote on the ballot of the party that they are affiliated with if they are enrolled in one of the four major political parties (Democrat, Republican, Green-Rainbow, and United Independent Party).  Voters whose party status is “UNENROLLED” (often referred to as Independent) may choose one party’s ballot to vote on in the primary. Voters who are members of Political Designations (not political parties) can choose which party’s ballot they would like to receive. Only the Democrat, Republican and Green-Rainbow parties have candidates on the March 1, 2016 ballot. The United Independent Party (UIP) will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them.  Voters registered in UIP will not be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican, or Green-Rainbow ballot.

To make changes to voter registration, residents are encouraged to visithttp://www.cityofboston.gov/elections,the Election Department in room 241 of City Hall, or the City Hall To Go Truck. Additionally, these changes can be made by downloading a mail-in registration form. All mailed registrations must be postmarked by the February 10, 2016 deadline.

For registered voters who will be unable to vote in person on March 1, 2016, absentee ballots are now available in the Election Department from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The deadline for an absentee ballot application and/or to vote in person via absentee status is February 29, 2016 at noon. The absentee process is designed for registered voters who will be absent from the city onelection day, have physical disabilities preventing them from getting to the polling location, or are unable to get to a polling place for religious reasons. Absentee ballot options are also available to non-registered voters who are Massachusetts citizens who will be absent from the state on March 1, 2016, an active member of the armed forces; their spouse or dependent and if one is confined in a correctional facility or jail except by reason of felony conviction.All Absentee Ballots must be in the possession of the Election Department by8:00 p.m. on March 1, 2016, not postmarked by March 1, 2016.