Boston Elections Overhaul Ordered After Ballot Shortages

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin has ordered an overhaul of the Boston Election Commission's practices following an investigation into significant ballot shortages during the November 2024 election. The investigation revealed that several precincts ran low or completely out of ballots due to a miscalculation in delivery, leading to long wait times and voter disenfranchisement. Communication failures also hindered the ability of election workers to request additional ballots, exacerbating the situation. Galvin has appointed a designee to oversee election administration through 2026, ensuring compliance with state laws and improved communication protocols. The city government expressed support for these reforms, acknowledging the need for better management and training of election staff. The upcoming mayoral and state elections will be closely monitored to prevent a recurrence of these issues.