City of Cambridge Ballot Drop Boxes to be Locked from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Each Day. Change is part of enhanced security protocols. Boxes to Close at 5 p.m. on October 31st Only.

Change is part of enhanced security protocols

The Cambridge Election Commission announced today that enhanced security protocols will be in effect for the City’s six exterior ballot drop boxes. Beginning today, October 26, 2020, the Cambridge Police Department will increase the frequency of its routine monitoring of the ballot drop boxes, Cambridge Election Commissioners will increase the frequency the ballot drop boxes are emptied, and ballot drop boxes will be locked from 8 p.m. though 7 a.m. each day, except for October 31st when boxes will close at 5 p.m. These enhanced protocols are being implemented pursuant to an Election Directive issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth on October 25, 2020, addressing increased concern over attempts to interfere with ballots and ballot drop boxes.

“The Cambridge Election Commission is committed to ensuring our voters have access to easy and convenient methods to cast their ballots,” said Executive Director Tanya Ford-Crump. “We have and will continue to implement strategies that will protect the integrity of the electoral process. These new safety measure will have minimal impact on Cambridge voters.”

Registered Cambridge voters can visit any of the three early voting locations offered in Cambridge through Friday, October 30 to vote in the State/Presidential Election. Mail in ballots may be returned at early voting locations. Early voting locations are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and are located at:

• Longfellow Community School - 359 Broadway, Rear Entrance near Antrim Street
• Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
• Valente Library - 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street

Voters who have elected to vote by mail must have their ballots postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and the ballot must arrive at the Cambridge Election Commission office by Friday, November 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. Ballots delivered by hand or by drop box must be delivered by 8 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Official ballot drop boxes are available at the following six locations:

• City Hall - Near the back door of the building located at 795 Massachusetts Avenue
• Morse School - Near the front entrance of the building located at 40 Granite Street
• Cambridge Police Headquarters - Left-side of the front of the building located at 125 6th Street.
• Maria L. Baldwin School - Right-side of the Oxford Street entrance of the building located at 28 Sacramento Street
• O’Neill Library - Adjacent to the entrance stairs of the building located at 70 Rindge Avenue
• Coffon Building - Right-side of the front of the building located at 51 Inman Street

For additional information, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Voting or contact the Cambridge Election Commission at 617-349-4361.