Mayor Martin Walsh urged Bostonians to consider voting early ahead of the November 3 presidential election. Early voting in Boston will begin on Sat., Oct. 17 and go through Fri., Oct. 30. All registered voters will be able to vote at any of the 21 early voting locations.

“For those who still need to register to vote, the deadline to do so is Saturday, Oct 24,” Walsh said during a press conference on Friday. “For those of you that are just coming of voting age, make sure you register to vote. It’s one of the most important things you can do— vote in the presidential election.”

Early voting locations in Dorchester and Mattapan include:

• Saturday, Oct.17 from 11a.m.-7 p.m.; & Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m at the Richard J. Murphy K-8 School (Cafeteria), 1 Worrell St., Dorchester

• Saturday, Oct., 24: 11a.m.-7p.m. & Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.— BCYF Perkins (Gymnasium), 155 Talbot Ave., Dorchester; Mildred Avenue K-8 (Gymnasium), 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan; The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 650 Dudley St., Dorchester.

“All in person early voting locations will have advanced covid health and safety protocols including social distancing and sanitizing procedures, and all poll workers are trained in the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment,” said Walsh.

To receive a vote by mail ballot, voters must first complete, sign and return the prepaid postcard application to the Election Department by 5 p.m. on Wed., Oct, 28.

“If you return by mail, we want to ask that you please return it as soon as possible so that you’re not waiting for the last minute,” said Walsh.

The election department will begin mailing out ballots in early October, Walsh said. Returned ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6. There are 17 mail in ballot drop boxes across the city.

“I want you to keep in mind, if you request a mail in ballot you can not return your completed ballot to your polling location on Election Day. You’ll have to go in and vote,” said Walsh.