Municipal election calendar starts officially on July 3 with access to nomination papers
From the Election Commission, May 8, 2017: The municipal election calendar for the year, culminating in Nov. 7 balloting that decides the members of a new City Council and School Committee, has been posted:
July 3: Municipal election nomination papers become available at the Election Commission offices, 51 Inman St., Mid-Cambridge. The commission’s regular office hours are Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The commission is closed for these holidays: Independence Day (Tuesday, July 4); Labor Day (Sept. 4); and Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 9).
July 31: The deadline to submit nomination papers and statements of financial interest for candidates is 5 p.m.
Aug. 14: The Election Commission will certify signatures on nomination papers by 5 p.m.
Aug. 16: The deadline for municipal candidates to file withdrawal of nomination is 5 p.m.
Oct. 18: The deadline to register to vote in municipal election is 8 p.m. In-person registration hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Election Commission office only. (Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 18).
Oct. 30: The deadline for School Committee candidates and political committees to file municipal campaign and political finance reports. (City Council candidates should consult their Office of Campaign of Campaign and Political Finance packets regarding depository-filing requirements.)
Nov. 3: The Election Commission will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on this Friday for over-the-counter absentee voting.
Nov. 4: The Election Commission office will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on this Saturday for over-the-counter absentee voting.
Nov. 6: The deadline to apply for absentee ballots, either for mail-in or over-the-counter voting, is noon.
Nov. 7: Municipal elections. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All absentee ballots (except overseas absentee ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8 p.m. to be counted. The ballot count begins at the Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, after the polls close. Overseas absentee ballots are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 17, but must be postmarked by Nov. 7.
Nov. 8: The ballot count resumes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Citywide Senior Center.
Nov. 17: Overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots will be counted at 5 p.m.