Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Boston’s November 3 state election, according to the City of Boston. Here is how to make the trip smooth, especially if you are driving.
Know where you are going
Check your polling place on the City’s polling location map at boston.gov before you leave. Many polling places are in schools, libraries and community centers on residential streets, where parking is limited and resident permit rules still apply.
Avoid the rush hours
Lines and curb space are usually tightest before work and right after work. If you can, vote mid-morning or early afternoon.
Read the signs
Election Day does not suspend posted parking rules. Watch for resident-permit zones, time limits and school pickup zones near polling places. If parking is tight, a short walk from a nearby lot or garage often beats circling.
Mail ballot? Different stop
Mail-in ballots cannot be returned at polling places. Drop them at an official City drop box (boston.gov/ballotdropbox) or at City Hall by 8 p.m.
Questions about voting? Call 311.
Quick check
How much did you catch? Tap a question to see the answer.
1. Until what time are Boston polls open today?
Answer: 8 p.m.
2. Do posted parking rules still apply on Election Day?
Answer: Yes. Resident-permit zones, time limits and school zones are still enforced.
3. Where should you return a mail-in ballot today?
Answer: An official City drop box or the Election Department at City Hall, not your polling place.
Planning Your Trip to the Polls
Voting usually takes far less time than the trip to and from the polling place. Thinking through the trip in a few steps keeps Election Day simple.
- Confirm your polling place. Polling locations can change between elections. Check the City’s polling location map before you leave, even if you have voted at the same place before.
- Look at the block. Use a map with street-level imagery to see whether the polling place is on a residential street, near a school or close to a main road. That tells you how tight parking will be.
- Choose how you will get there. Many Boston polling places are within walking distance of home. If yours is not, compare walking, biking, the T, a bus or driving.
- Pick your time. Mid-morning and early afternoon often mean shorter lines and more curb space than the hours around the morning and evening commute.
- Pick a backup time. Plans change. If your first window falls through, know when you can try again, and do not leave it until the final minutes before polls close.
If You Drive
Driving to the polls can be the right choice, especially for voters with limited mobility or busy schedules. A few habits help near the neighborhood buildings that often serve as polling places.
- Read every sign. Resident permit zones, time limits, school zones and loading zones near polling places are still enforced on Election Day.
- Look for a nearby lot or garage. A short walk from a legal space is better than circling or stopping somewhere you should not.
- Leave hydrants, driveways and crosswalks clear. Polling places see extra foot traffic, and pedestrians, including voters with strollers or mobility devices, need clear paths.
- Do not double-park. Even a quick stop can block traffic and buses on narrow streets.
- Watch for school traffic. When a polling place is in a school that is in session, expect drop-off and pickup traffic at the usual times.
Voting With Kids or Helping a Relative
Election Day trips often include children or a family member who needs a hand. A little planning makes it easier for everyone.
- Bring something to keep kids busy in case there is a line, and plan a short visit.
- Drop off first if walking is hard. If a relative has trouble walking, drop them safely at the entrance with a companion, then park legally nearby.
- Ask poll workers about assistance. If you or someone with you needs help, poll workers can explain what accommodations are available at that location.
- Call 311 with questions before you go, as noted above, so you are not sorting things out at the door.
Common Election Day Mistakes
- Going to an old polling place. Check the current map before you leave.
- Bringing a mail-in ballot to the polls. Mail ballots go to an official drop box or City Hall, not your polling place.
- Waiting until just before polls close. Traffic, parking or a long line can leave you short on time.
- Assuming parking rules are relaxed. They are not. Tickets still apply.
- Parking in a school pickup zone. These zones protect children and are enforced during posted hours.
Questions Voters Ask
Can I walk or take the T instead of driving?
Often, yes. Many polling places are close to home, and the T and bus routes reach many neighborhoods. It removes the parking question entirely.
What if I cannot find parking near my polling place?
Try a nearby lot or garage, or a legal space a few blocks away, and walk. Allow extra time for the walk, especially in cold or wet November weather.
Is the drop box a quicker stop than the polls?
For a mail-in ballot, yes. Check the drop box map, note any parking near the location and allow time to return it before 8 p.m.
Who can I ask if I am unsure where to vote?
Call 311 or check the City’s polling location map at boston.gov before you leave home.
A Quick Timing Worksheet
Before you head out, run through these numbers. They take a minute and can save you from rushing.
- Travel time: how long it takes to get from home or work to your polling place at the hour you plan to go.
- Parking time: a few extra minutes to find a legal space and walk to the entrance, more if the block is residential or near a school.
- Line time: a cushion in case there is a wait inside.
- Return time: how long you need to get back to work, school pickup or your next commitment.
Add those together and work backward from your next commitment. If the total feels tight, choose an earlier window or a different way of getting there, and remember that polls close at 8 p.m.
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