The Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office has mandated changes in Boston’s election processes following ballot shortages at several precincts during November’s Election Day. A thorough investigation led by Secretary of State William Galvin revealed that although Boston had an adequate overall supply of ballots, certain precincts did not receive enough in advance, contravening state election requirements that stipulate a ballot must be available for every voter.
This mishap resulted in unwarranted delays and some instances of voters being unable to cast their ballots because waiting was not feasible, as detailed in the report authored by Rebecca Murray, the general counsel to the secretary of the commonwealth. The investigation discovered that Boston intended to distribute ballots equating to 80% of the registered voters per precinct, but an error in calculation resulted in a significant shortfall.
Moreover, inadequate communication between the Boston Election Department and polling stations aggravated the issue. Murray observed that the department could not efficiently communicate in real-time with the precincts to track locations needing additional ballots immediately. This communication breakdown was a pivotal issue highlighted in the report.
The city has been tasked with refining its practices to adhere to state election laws. Galvin appointed an official to oversee these improvements, extending their role until the end of 2026. Boston must also implement a strategy to ensure real-time communication between the city administration and poll workers during elections.
Additionally, there is a requirement for a dedicated team to liaise with polling stations on election days, addressing problems such as voting machine malfunctions and ballot deficiencies. The report underscored the need for better training for poll workers to efficiently manage situations like ballot shortages. As of publication, a city spokesman has yet to comment on the findings or subsequent orders.
