Massachusetts Secretary of State Proposing Early Voting Hours Extension

Nearly 40,000 people in Boston alone have voted early so far

Voting in Somerville, Massachusetts, was a breeze Thursday afternoon, but by nightfall, the line was out the door at city hall as people got out of work and cast their ballots.

Early voting has proven to be extremely popular in the Bay State, with election officials estimating about 20 percent of registered voters will have taken part when all is said and done Friday.

"I actually kind of love election day, I like the ceremony of that, but decided I wanted to show that people cared and people wanted to get out early and get their votes cast," said Somerville resident Katie Henderson.

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin is proposing that early voting be extended until 5 p.m. on Friday at all locations across the Commonwealth.

But in Somerville, for example, the elections chairperson says it’s too late to make changes and the 12:30 p.m. closing time in the city will remain.

"There isn't any way we can do it," said Nicholas Salerno, who chairs the Somerville Election Commission. "Plans have been put in place, advertisements have been out there."

So far, roughly 800,000 voters have cast ballots in Massachusetts during the early voting period, according to Galvin.

"I figured there's going to be a big crowd because this election has been kind of contentious, so I figured early voting was a good idea just to get in there before all the crowds come out," said early voter Liz Rodwell.

In some states, if you vote early, you can change your mind. But that's not the case in Massachusetts.

Some polling locations aren't open until 5 p.m. Friday evening, which is why Galvin's office is asking town offices to stay open to accommodate the demand.

Boston City Hall is open until 5 p.m. Friday for early voting.

If you've missed early voting and aren't around Election Day, you can still apply for an absentee ballot until noon on Monday.

Click here to find your early voting location.

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