The two ballot questions Boston's council backed both passed. Election Day registration arrives in 2028

This fall the City Council went on record for two of the nine statewide ballot questions: Question 4, Election Day voter registration, and Question 6, a conservation fund. Both passed statewide, and Boston voted for both by wide margins.

Results here are unofficial.

The results

From the city's unofficial results page, last updated at 3:46 a.m. Wednesday with all 275 precincts in:

• Question 4 (Election Day registration): 129,913 yes (73.51%), 46,820 no (26.49%).
• Question 6 (conservation fund): 120,709 yes (68.36%), 55,859 no (31.64%).

Statewide, the Associated Press called Question 4 for "yes" just before 2 a.m., WBUR reported, and WBUR listed Question 6 as passed. In Boston.com's 6:06 a.m. summary, both were projected to pass.

How the council voted

• Question 4: The council adopted a resolution in support on Oct. 7, 12-0, with Council President Liz Breadon absent (docket 1805). City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, who chairs the Census, Redistricting, and Elections Committee, filed it, and all 13 councilors are listed as sponsors. It went through a committee hearing on Oct. 2 first (meeting page).
• Question 6: A resolution in support passed 13-0 on Sept. 30 (docket 1856), on a motion by City Councilors Sharon Durkan and Brian Worrell.

Our Oct. 27 story covers those votes in detail.

Question 4: what changes, and when

Same-day registration will take effect Jan. 1, 2028, WBUR reported before the vote. That means Boston's 2027 municipal election will still use the current 10-day registration deadline, and the first state election with same-day registration will be in 2028. To register at the polls, a voter will need proof of residence, such as a photo ID with a current address or a recent bill or lease, and must sign an oath of eligibility. Voters without proof can cast a provisional ballot that counts only if they bring documents back by a deadline, WBUR reported.

What our records add. At the Oct. 2 hearing, Louijeune asked what the city should do to prepare for "the potential and hopeful implementation of it in 2028," including how to make sure eligible voters are the ones voting (watch at 54:15). City Councilor Benjamin Weber asked what Boston would need in place for it to work, including whether it could be done with the same staff and whether new machines would be needed (watch at 1:12:17). An advocate on the panel answered that polling places would need reliable internet access to check voter records, and called the change "a very simple implementation" given how Massachusetts already staffs its polls.

The Election Department will have to plan for polling place internet access, staffing and training for 2028. Our separate story covers where the department stands after Tuesday.

Question 6: what it means for parks

Starting July 1, 2027, the fund will receive half of the state sales tax collected on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf, Boston.com explained. Supporters estimate about $100 million a year. It redirects existing tax revenue and does not raise a new tax.

When the council voted in September, Durkan said the fund would protect and maintain parks (watch at 1:42:00). Worrell said a dedicated source for green space could free more of the city's Community Preservation Act money for affordable housing (watch at 1:44:06). Worrell has a pending hearing order on raising the CPA's housing share (docket 1601).

The state will decide how the money is spent, and how much reaches Boston isn't known yet.

What's next

The city expects unofficial precinct results Wednesday and must certify official results by Nov. 18, according to its results page.