Boston City Council Hearing on Voter Accessibility and Election Day Registration – October 2, 2026

On October 2, 2026, the Boston City Council Committee on Census, Redistricting, and Elections held a hearing on Docket #0183 (order for a hearing regarding voter accessibility and election preparedness) and Docket #1805 (Resolution in support of Question 4 to establish Election Day Voter Registration in Massachusetts). Chair Ruthzee Louis-Jean presided, joined by Councillors Flynn, President Breedon, Weber, and Mejia. The hearing featured testimony from advocacy groups including Lawyers for Civil Rights, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, MassVote, ACLU of Massachusetts, and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, followed by an administration panel from the Boston Elections Department.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Tanner, a Boston resident, testified in favor of Docket #1805 (same-day voter registration), arguing it would eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and increase voter turnout. He addressed opposition arguments about election security, noting that similar rhetoric has been used to undermine mail-in voting.
• Ed Shoemaker, representing Voter Choice Massachusetts and a Dorchester resident, supported Question 4 and urged the council to resurrect the ranked choice voting home rule petition. He highlighted the frustration of voters who miss the registration deadline on moving day (September 1) and are unable to participate.

Discussion Items

• Voter Accessibility and Election Preparedness: Tracy Griffith (ACLU of Massachusetts) reported issues from the September 2026 primary, including inadequate signage, inaccessible polling places (especially for ADA compliance) in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, and confusion about poll observers. She noted that many locations lacked designated ADA parking, had locked accessible entrances, and had signs that were poorly placed or hard to read. Brooke Simone (Lawyers for Civil Rights) urged the city to promote early and mail voting, train poll workers on laws regarding federal agents at polling places, coordinate with advocacy groups, and communicate voters’ rights. She also emphasized the need to address fears of ICE or armed federal agents near polling locations, which she said would be illegal.
• Election Day Registration (Question 4): All advocates expressed strong support. They noted that 23 states and the District of Columbia already have same-day registration with no evidence of fraud or increased administrative burden. The proposed Massachusetts version includes a one-year delay (effective 2028) and requires proof of residency and a sworn affidavit under penalty of felony. Celia Canavan (League of Women Voters) shared her personal experience benefitting from same-day registration in Maine. Cheryl Clyburn Crawford (MassVote) described observing smooth implementation in New Hampshire. Advocates argued that the arbitrary 10-day deadline disenfranchises voters who move, face clerical errors, or become engaged late in the campaign.
• Federal Threats to Elections: Speakers expressed concern about potential presence of armed federal agents (ICE, DOJ, FBI) at polling places, calling such actions unlawful and intimidating. They noted that the DOJ sent monitors to the primary and may do so again, but no issues arose.
• Municipal Census Decoupling: Several advocates noted that the municipal census (street listing) is a major cause of voters being marked inactive. They cited House Bill 799 and Senate Bill 503 (currently sent to study) as efforts to decouple the census from voter rolls. Councillor Louis-Jean raised this as a city-level concern, and advocates reported that in some other municipalities (e.g., Lawrence) 80% of voters at one precinct were inactive.
• Voter Education and Engagement: Suggestions included making Election Day a holiday, using more visible signage (e.g., fluorescent colors), starting civics education in schools, partnering with colleges, providing audiovisual aids for low-literacy voters, and making voting a social event. Brooke Simone also noted that voters have the right to receive assistance at the polls.
• Administration Panel: Kerry Jordan (new Executive Director, Boston Elections Department), Paul Chong (Commissioner, City Records), and Sabino Pamonte (Head Assistant Registrar) reported that the department successfully administered the September primary with 79,474 voters, answered 800 calls with an average wait time under 16 seconds, staffed 275 precincts with 1,700 poll workers, and used electronic poll books seamlessly. They acknowledged federal monitors were present but reported no issues. They are preparing for the November election with two weeks of early voting starting October 17, improved signage rebranding, and continued use of electronic poll books. They are still seeking additional poll workers (target 2,000) and will train through November. Sabino explained rigorous quality control for ballot counts to avoid shortages like those in 2024, including multiple sign-offs and pack slips. The department complies with state VRIS system and does not use the federal SAVES database. They also have a student poll worker program (75 participants last November) and conduct voter registration drives in high schools. Kerry Jordan noted that the budget for 2028 presidential primaries will require council support.
• Poll Worker Recruitment and Training: Councillor Mejia suggested raising the training stipend (currently $20-30 for 2.5-3 hour in-person training) and holding regional trainings with incentives like pizza. The department noted that some trainings are virtual, and returning poll workers may not need in-person sessions. Sabino mentioned that experienced poll workers can take on leadership roles in training.
• Language Access: The department provides ballots in Vietnamese and Chinese based on federal requirements, and also has interpreters and auto-mark machines. The department goes above and beyond requirements.
• Police Presence at Polling Sites: Sabino noted that the city ordinance requires a Boston police officer at the checkout table. Councillor Mejia suggested exploring civilian flaggers as an alternative.
• Central Tabulation: The process is governed by state law and is open to the public.

Key Outcomes

• The committee will hold a vote on Docket #1805 (Resolution supporting Question 4) at a future meeting, likely the following Wednesday.
• Docket #0183 (voter accessibility and election preparedness) will remain in committee for continued oversight and follow-up.
• The committee encouraged the Elections Department to improve signage, address accessibility issues (e.g., ADA compliance), and consider raising poll worker training stipends.
• The administration panel committed to implementing election day registration if Question 4 passes, with implementation in 2028.
• Councillor Mejia indicated she would file an ordinance to allow police-free poll sites and explore other changes to reduce barriers for poll workers.