More than a third of Bostonians have already cast their ballots ahead of tomorrow’s state and presidential election as city officials prepare for in-person voting on Tuesday amid increased safety measures.

Close to 159,000 voters have turned in their choices, bringing the early turnout to 36.5 percent of all registered voters,” Mayor Walsh said during a Monday morning press conference at City Hall.

“Four years ago, our overall turnout was 66.75 percent, so it looks like we will at least meet if not shatter that record tomorrow,” he said. “We are committed to making sure that voting is safe and accessible. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy and the right to self-determination that we believe in. We’re doing whatever it takes to protect our rights and safe access to ballot boxes.” 

There are 432,000 Bostonians registered to vote, up from 415,500 in 2016; 55,716 residents cast their votes during early in-person voting, and as of Sunday, 103,268 mail-in ballots (of 192,000 requested) had been returned to City Hall. 

The Elections Department is continuing to count votes and prepare polling locations for Tuesday. Anyone who still has not sent in their mail-in ballot can complete it and place it in one of the city’s 17 dropbox locations through 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The city will accept mail-in ballots that arrive in the mail by Friday, but only if they were postmarked by Tues., Nov. 3.

Voters who bring their mail-in ballots to a polling location tomorrow will be asked to vote in person instead. Poll workers will take the mail-in ballot, void it, and exchange it for a new one to be filled out there. 

In-person voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 225 precincts citywide.

The vast majority of people will vote at their usual precincts, although 20 polling locations have been changed (as they were in the state’s primary election.) Residents who voted in a different site in the primary balloting will vote at those same locations on Tuesday.  Polling locations can be found at boston.gov/elections. 

Ballots will be available at the polls in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and translators will be on site to assist anyone needing translation services in Haitian Creole, Cabo Verde Creole, Russian, and Portuguese.  

The city has established a “dedicated voter hotline” – 617-635-VOTE (8683) for anyone who has voting-related questions on Election Day. 

On Monday, Walsh said that all of the polls will be equipped to protect workers and voters from the coronavirus that has been spiking in the city and across the commonwealth over the last six weeks. Dorchester posted the highest covid-19 test rate last week, at 11.9 percent, well above the citywide average of 7.9 percent. Over the weekend 112 new cases were recorded, bringing the city’s caseload to 20,607. 

“It’s a hard week to focus on Covid-19 with all that’s happening with our elections, but we have to stay vigilant,” said Walsh. “Every polling location is set up to follow Covid safety guidelines and provide access to people with disabilities. Polling sites will be cleaned several times throughout the day All locations are prepared for physical distancing with clear signage and floor markings and all poll workers have been issued PPE, including face shields, makes, gloves, disinfectant and  hand sanitizer.” 

No one will be turned away from the polls if they don't wear one, but. Walsh urged anyone going to the polls to wear a mask or face covering and follow social distancing protocols. 

“I’m asking people— don’t try to go and make a political statement tomorrow by going into vote without a mask,” said Walsh. “I’m asking you to wear a mask. Have the courtesy for the poll workers, the people around you, and the families that are coming there.”

A police officer will be stationed inside every polling location, as is customary, Walsh noted.

“The police are there to protect the ability of residents to exercise their right,” he said. “We’re monitoring conversations across the country about potential voter intimidation at polls. We do not have any information about threats here in Boston, but I want to make it clear that voter intimidation is against the law and it won’t be tolerated.

“If you are outside of your polling location campaigning on behalf of a candidate we’re asking you to respect the views of others. There's a great deal of tension around the election, more than I’ve ever seen or felt in my lifetime,” said Walsh. “Much of it is anticipation of the results of the presidential election, and because of Covid, that process has been more challenging.” 

City officials will post unofficial election results online on Tuesday night, although the Elections Department will be counting mail-in and absentee ballots for several days afterward. 

“Mail in ballots do not fundamentally change the process. They are handled like traditional absentee ballots— that's how we’ve always counted the votes of the military members and those voting overseas and out of state,” said Walsh. 

Voters should not be surprised if there’s not a clear national result of the presidential election on Tuesday night or for several days after, said Walsh. 

“That does not mean that the voting process is broken or compromised in any way. In this particular year, it seems like we’re going to be setting a record in the country for turnout in a national election. I advise everyone to be prepared for the process to take some time,” he said.   

The mayor advised voters to “think through” their reactions to the results of the presidential election.  “I see a lot of tension in our country right now between Covid, all of the undercurrents of systemic racism, and a presidential election that’s been at the forefront of a lot of people's minds for a long time,” he said.  “Whether you like the results or not, there will be strong emotions on all sides tomorrow. We must take care of ourselves, families, and community, and we must respond peacefully.” 

Boston police officers will be active citywide during and after Election Day, Walsh said. Police Commissioner William Gross added that BPD is working in partnership with federal and state law enforcement entities.

“We want you to be comfortable with the fact that the Boston Police Department will cover all of the poll sites according to city ordinances,” Gross said. “We want everyone to know that we also have coverage in the neighborhoods for the community, including at places of worship, schools, and hospitals.

“You are not going to see an overwhelming presence of police officers,” Gross said, adding: “We don’t want anyone to feel intimidated by the police. Every election, you have police officers at the poll. We do have protocols in place if things do go to the side of civil unrest or violent protests that we’re going to implement in the city.” 

Gross confirmed that BPD is prepared to deploy “a staffing level that will accommodate calls to service, protect neighborhoods, businesses and voting polls until we have the results of the election.” 

“If extra patrols are needed, we have the assets for that,” he said. 

Walsh said it’s “too early to worry about demonstrations,” when asked about the potential need to call on state or federal agencies if protests arise. 

“There’s no reason to believe there's cause for concern. We’re all cautiously optimistic that Election Day will be incident free but we want to encourage residents to call if there are concerns,” he said. 

“We have an election tomorrow and we’re asking everyone to come out and vote and exercise your right, and we’ll be prepared for whatever happens after the election.”