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Boston Mayoral Election

The city of Boston elected its first mayor in 1822, with John Philips being the first to take up the mantle. Roughly fifty people have held the title since, although the official number may change depending on who you ask.

Unlike some other cities, the Boston Mayoral election is a nonpartisan race, meaning candidates do not run as democrat, republican, or third-party. Instead, all candidates will compete in the Preliminary Municipal Election on Tuesday, September 9, and only the top two candidates will move forward to the General Election on Tuesday, November 4. 

This year, four mayoral candidates have qualified for the Preliminary Municipal Election: Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, philanthropist Josh Kraft, community activist Domingos DaRosa, and former Boston police officer Robert Cappucci. 

This guide will provide brief introductions to the mayoral candidates, an overview of the city council race, and information on how to vote in the City of Boston. 

Incumbent: In an election, the incumbent is the person holding or acting in the position that is up for election, regardless of whether they are seeking re-election.
Dates to Remember

Preliminary Municipal Election - September 9

Voter Registration Deadline: August 30

Early Voting: August 30 - 31; September 2 - 5

Municipal Election - November 4

Voter Registration Deadline: October 25

Early Voting: October 25 - 31

Mayoral Candidates

Mayor Michelle Wu

Michelle Wu headshot

From Mayor Wu's official campaign website, "Mayor Michelle Wu is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She began her career in public service interning at City Hall for Mayor Tom Menino and is an alumna of the Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy. Mayor Wu lives in Roslindale with her husband Conor and their three children, Blaise, Cass, and Mira."

If re-elected, "Mayor Wu will work to make Boston a home for everyone.
Since taking office, she has invested more in making housing affordable than any other administration in Boston’s history. In her first full year as mayor, gun violence fell to the lowest level on record in the city—and has continued to fall every year since. She promised a paid summer job to every BPS student who wanted one—and delivered, and has expanded Boston’s Pre-K and early education to serve more children and families than ever before."

Find out more about Michelle Wu's plan for her second term.

 

Josh Kraft

Josh Kraft giving speechFrom Kraft's official campaign website, "Josh Kraft has spent 35 years working in the communities of Boston. Most recently, Josh was President of the New England Patriots Foundation, and for three decades worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including 12 years as its President and CEO."

If elected, Kraft wants to tackle "lack of access to housing that regular people can afford, which is forcing many people to leave the city. Boston Public Schools that are failing our kids and families. Poorly planned bike and bus lanes that are changing our neighborhood streets and creating gridlock all across the city. The humanitarian crisis and public safety concerns at Mass and Cass need to be addressed." 

Find out how Josh Kraft plans to implement his platform.

 

Domingos DaRosa

Domingos DaRosa headshotFrom DaRosa's official campaign website: “Born in Cabo Verde (Cape Verde Islands) and raised throughout Boston’s diverse neighborhoods, Domingos DaRosa has dedicated over two decades to serving our city with unwavering commitment. As a respected 23-year veteran of Boston’s Centers for Youth and Families, President of the Boston Bengals Pop Warner Football Program, co-founder of the South End-Roxbury Community Partnership, and small business owner, Domingos brings proven leadership that’s grounded in real community experience. With an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and experience on the Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee representing METCO students, and Former President of SEIU Local 888/BCYF Chapter, he combines practical knowledge with a vision for a more equitable Boston."

If elected, "DaRosa’s campaign platform focuses on several key priorities: education, public safety and mental health services, affordable housing solutions, youth empowerment and employment access, worker protections, small business economic opportunities, and green space and environmental justice."

You can find out more about DaRosa's platform from his interview with WBUR.

 

Robert Cappucci

Robert Cappucci posing in parkFrom Cappucci's official campaign website, he is a lifelong resident of East Boston. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amhearst and a master's in criminal justice from Anna Maria College. He is a retired Boston police officer and U.S. Navy veteran. 

*Note: Cappucci's campaign website has not been updated since his run for mayor in 2021

If elected, Cappucci has said he is willing to work with President Trump and favors the increase in arrests and deportations made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is critical of Mayor Wu's handling of the situation at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard and the redevelopment plans for White Stadium.

Read more about Cappucci's bid for mayor in this write-up by Dorchester Reporter. 

 

City Council Race

The mayoral seat is not the only position up for grabs. This year, Boston will elect four At-Large city council members who represent the entire city, along with nine district councilors who represent specific neighborhoods in Boston. City councilors are elected every two years and operate as the legislative body of Boston's government. Councilors are responsible for passing local laws to ensure public policy meets the changing needs of the city. They also review and approve the city's annual operating and capital budget. 

In the Preliminary Municipal Election on Tuesday, September 9, all Bostonians will have the chance to vote in the At-Large City Council race. For the District City Council race, ballots will change depending on which of the nine districts you live in. After the Preliminary Election, the top eight At-Large city council candidates and the top two candidates from each district will move forward to the General Election on Tuesday, November 4. 

Do you know what City Council district you are in? Check your address using the My Neighborhood Tool.

 

At-large City Council Candidates 

Interested in learning more about the candidates? The Dorchester Reporter, in partnership with the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, invited candidates to explain their positions on a range of policies through a questionnaire. 8 of the 10 candidates have filled out the questionnaire, and the full statements are available online at DotNews.com for voters to review. 

 

District City Council Candidates Boston City Council election districts

District 1 city council (East Boston, North End, Charlestown): 

District 2 (South Boston, South End, Downtown, Chinatown):

District 3 (Dorchester):

District 4 (Dorchester):

District 5 (Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan):

District 6 (West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain):

District 7 (Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway):

District 8 (Beacon Hill, Back Bay, West End, Fenway, Mission Hill):

District 9 (Allston/Brighton):

Want to know more about the highly contested District 7 City Council race? Check out this article by Boston.com.

Click the map to see an enlarged version of the City Council Districts. Published by the City of Boston's Planning Department. 

 

Voting in Boston

Eligibility

To vote in the City of Boston you must be a U.S. Citizen, a Boston resident, and at least 18 years old by election day.

Not sure if you are registered to vote in Boston? Check your registration status 

Registration

To vote in the City of Boston, you must be registered at least 10 days before the election. Boston does not allow same-day registration. 

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at City Hall. 

To register, you will be required to provide proof of citizenship and residency in Boston. If you do not have a Massachusetts State ID or Social Security number, you can still register to vote, but will be required to show some form of ID before voting. Examples of acceptable identification include a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease agreement, or any other printed document that contains your name and address.

Learn more about your voting rights in Massachusetts

Voting In-Person

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM for the Preliminary Municipal Election, Tuesday, September 9, and the General Election, Tuesday, November 4. 

Find your polling place. 

Early Voting

Registered Boston voters can vote early at any voting location. You don’t need an excuse or reason to vote early. 

Early voting for the Preliminary Municipal Election will take place on Saturday, August 30, Sunday, August 31, and Tuesday, September 2, through Friday, September 5. For the General Election, early voting will be held from Saturday, October 25, through Friday, October 31. 

There are a number of early voting sites in Boston. If you plan to vote early, you have until 5 p.m. on Friday, September 5, for the Preliminary Municipal Election and Friday, October 31, for the General Election.

Voting By Mail

Registered voters have the option to vote by mail in Massachusetts.  

You can request a mail-in ballot by completing the online application. 

If you are unable to apply online, you can download the application and email the completed copy to absenteevoter@boston.gov or fax it to 617-635-4483. 

You can also drop off or mail your completed application to: 
Elections Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Office hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Applications to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025 for the Preliminary Municipal  Election.

Once your absentee voter application is approved, you will receive a ballot in the mail with a set of return envelopes. You have the option to
mail in your ballot using the address return envelope or drop it off in-person at one of the dedicated drop boxes. All ballots must reach the Election Department or a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9 for the Preliminary Municipal Election. 

Track your mail-in ballot on the state's website.

Resources to Learn More

BPL Research Guides
Online Resources