Special Preliminary & Municipal Elections for Boston City Council District 7

The Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Boston is providing you with the following information in the hope that you will share it with your members, colleagues, friends, and voters in the District Seven community.

SPECIAL PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Last Day to Register to Vote for 2/15: January 26, 2011

SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Last Day to Register to Vote for 3/15 is February 23, 2011

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. on the election days.

The vote registration deadlines apply to address changes as well as voter registration. Voters must be registered at their District Seven residences in order to participate in these elections.
Many voters are asking Election Department staff why these elections are being held in the middle of winter. The formula for determining the dates for special municipal elections is established by law, once an office is formally declared vacant. In this particular instance, the City Council chose the earliest possible date for the election to be held, so that District Seven would not be without representation.

CERTIFIED CANDIDATES (according to February 15, 2011 Ballot Order)
Natalie E Carithers [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter]
Danielle Renee Williams
Cornell Mills [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter]
Tito Jackson [Website] [Facebook] [Twitter]
Roy Owens [Website]
Althea Garrison

POLLING LOCATION CHANGE
Northeastern University's Matthews Arena is unavailable on February 15 due to a previously scheduled event. The Election Department was forced to find new locations for Ward 4 Precincts 5 and 8, which voted at the Arena. Beginning with the February 15 Special Preliminary Municipal Election, Ward 4 Precinct 5 will vote at SymphonyPlaza East, 334 Massachusetts Avenue. Ward 4 Precinct 8 will vote at SymphonyPlaza West, 333 Massachusetts Avenue. All registered voters in these precincts will receive a first-class mailing next week advising them of the changes. Additionally, advertisements have been purchased in community newspapers.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Given the unpredictable nature of February weather, the Election Department strongly suggests that any voter, particularly the elderly, who may have difficulty getting to his/her polling location in bad weather, consider applying for an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. Visit the Department's website: www.cityofboston.gov/elections for an in-depth explanation of the absentee ballot process, or to print out an application for an absentee ballot. Any voter who wishes to vote absentee should not delay getting his or her application to the Election Department as soon as possible to allow time for mailing.

Please contact the Boston Election Department at 617-635-3767 if you have any questions