The Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Boston released plans for the 2009 Municipal Election.

The City of Boston has well over the number of ballots to satisfy each of the 356,453 registered voters eligible to participate Tuesday. Of the over 1,500 election officials that will work, approximately 400 are fluent in second languages. Boston has a total of 254 precincts and 156 polling locations which will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

All precincts will have ballots written in English and Spanish and ballots fully translated in Chinese and Vietnamese will also be available. Interpreters will be available to assist voters in Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and Russian as well as other languages. In addition, there will also be audio recordings of the ballots in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.

For more information about the 2009 Municipal Election, please visit cityofboston.gov/elections.

Reporter Notes

Reporters are reminded that there are certain rules that must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters as well as their privacy. The rules are:

• Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away.



• Interviews with election day officers at polling locations are not allowed. Interview requests of city officials will be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461.



• Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each poll's warden.



• Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and shots over the shoulders of voters will not be allowed – please respect every voter's right to a private ballot.



• The following locations for b-roll shots are recommended:
  • The Boston Public Library in Copley Square.
  • Cathedral High School at 74 Union Park in the South End.
  • Roxbury Boys and Girls Club at 115 Warren St. in Roxbury.