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Can I vote? Move-in mania doesn't quite align with Boston's voter registration deadline this year
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
TGIF! It's not only Labor Day weekend, but Boston's annual move-in weekend. About 70% of Boston’s leases turn over on Sept. 1, so instead of kicking their feet up like the rest of us, many residents will be lugging boxes, scavenging for free furniture at Allston Christmas and NOT driving their U-Hauls down Storrow Drive.
But beyond the stress of moving, they'll have something else to keep in mind tomorrow.
Moving weekend 🤝 voting deadlines: This year, move-in weekend coincides with the first day of early voting and the last day for voter registration for Boston's preliminary election on Sept. 9. And it's a local election year with a big mayoral race on the books. So, what does that mean if you're moving to the city on Sept. 1? Can you vote this month? It depends on where you're coming from.
- If you have a new lease in Boston starting Sept. 1, but are not currently a resident... Sorry, no. To vote in this year's preliminary election, you need to reside in Boston by Aug. 30, and you can't register to vote at an address before you physically reside there, Debra O’Malley, the communications director for the Sec. of State Bill Galvin's office, told WBUR. (In a state election, you have up to 6 months to vote from an old address in another city or town, but that doesn’t apply to municipal elections.) Your next voter registration deadline to hit before November's general election is Oct. 25.
- If you're registered to vote at your current address in Boston, but moving to a new spot still in Boston... just vote from your old address. After Sept. 9, O'Malley suggests updating your registration, so you can vote at a polling place more conveniently located to your new digs in November.
- If you're moving into your Boston apartment today or tomorrow... You're in luck. Go to any early voting location or to City Hall to register in person up until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
- If you're a current Boston resident moving out of Boston... No, you can't come back to vote in the prelims. Once you move and register in another city, you’re removed from the voter list. (And updating your license or MassHealth automatically updates your voter registration.)
- Now let's talk about what you're voting on: There are three candidates trying to unseat Mayor Michelle Wu, but there are also contested City Council races and mayoral elections outside of Boston. We cover it all in our preliminary voter guide here.
Meet your finalists: After over 1,000 serious and silly submissions from residents, the state yesterday shared its top proposed designs for its new state flag, seal and motto. The three flag designs being considered include a mayflower, a circle of feathers and a blue hill with waves. (You'll notice, the flag-enthusiast-favorite pine tree designs did not make the cut.)
- What's next? The state’s Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Commission will hold several public hearings over the designs over the next two months.
"Water would be nice": Nearly 15% of Massachusetts is experiencing "moderate drought," including most of Cape Cod and Nantucket. An additional 48% of the state falls into the less severe "abnormally dry" category, including Worcester, and both the South and North shores. August is about 2 inches below its average rainfall, according to meteorologist Danielle Noyes. "Add it up, and it's understandable why New England has seen drought conditions expand again," she said.
- Speaking of dry... There's no rain in sight for Labor Day weekend, just pleasant temps, with highs in the 70s. Not great for drought conditions, but terrific for moving or end-of-summer fun.
A reminder for night owls: Starting tonight, every subway line, three Silver Line routes and five bus routes will have expanded late-night service. As part of the new fall schedule, service on Fridays and Saturdays will extend by 1 hour and run more frequently during that time. It's part of an effort to help late-night workers and encourage nightlife, WBUR's Paul Connearney reports.
- Save the date(s): The T is making it free to ride all its transit on Fridays and Saturdays after 9 p.m. starting Saturday, Sept. 5 through Oct. 4.
P.S. — According to a new report, what state sector is experiencing job loss and investment lows not seen in years? Think you know the answer? Take our Boston News Quiz.
