Rainbow Multiversity, Inc. 431 Columbus Avenue Boston, MA 02116 (617) 424-1 041 The Rainbow Multiversity is a vehicle for education and empowerment serving the goals of racial equality, an equitable sharing of political power and promotion of a more democratic society based upon equality and justice for all, regardless of race, class, sex, age, nationality, sexual orientation , disability or religion. Goals of the Rainbow Multiversity include: l)To develop educational programs for people and community organizations concerning current city issues and possible avenues for change. 2) To develop a cultural program providing avenues for multi­ cultural exchange as well as encourage the preservation and development of diverse cultures and languages. 3) To register voters to encourage voting and greater political activism and to advocate for avenues for increased access to political participation. 4) In all activities to maximize participation and empowerment of people especially those traditionally with least access. Board Qf Directors Chair May Louie Vice Chair Isaih George Treasurer Lillian Gonzalez Press Secretary Patrick Cusick Recording Secretary Phil Giffee Organizational Secretary Virginia Bullock Staff Administrative Director Ros Everdell Intern Charles Cook Special Thanks and Acknowledgements to: The Episcopal City Mission - Burgess Orban Fund for their support Charles Cook intern from Roxbury Community College, for doing the hours and hours of research and information gathering it took to compile this handbook Virginia Bullock for Conceptualization The many individuals who helped to shape the content of this handbook through their invaluable feedback: Teddy Aaron Richard cauchi Lydia T. Cedrone Elizabeth Conners Patrick Cusick David Douglas Ros Everdell Jim Praser Isiah George Kelvin lUng Cal Kolbe Robin Leeds May Louie sam Mahlau Sheila Maith BUrt Hadler Byron Rushing susan Steubing David Sullivan carrie TUrnbow Jim Vance Charles Weeks C Rainbow Multiversity Inc. 1987 Rainbow Multiversity 431 Columbus Avenue Boston,MA 02116 1987 Boston Voter Handbook Table of Contents: Introduction •••••••••••••••••••••• •• •••••••••••••••• • • ) Voter Registration ••••••• •• •••••••• •••• ••••••••••••••• 4 Who can Register? •••••••••••••••••• •• • ••••••• • ••••••• • 4 How t~ Register ........................................ 4 Calendar of Voter Registration Deadlines •••••.•••.•••• S Absentee Voter Registration ••••••••••.•••••••••••••••• 6 Stue~nt Voter Registration ..•.•••• • .•••••••••.•.•••••• 6 Voter Registration for Non-English Speakers .•.••••.•.• 6 What to do if You Move ••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••• ••• 6 Bow to Conduct a Successful Voter Registration Drive •• ? Voting ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 11 Election Day Calendar for 1987 & 1988 .••••••••••••••• 11 Party Enrollment and Voting ••••••••• ••••• •••••••••••• ll Writing-In a Candidate •••••••.••.•.•••••••••••••••••• ll Ward and Precinct Map of Boston ••••••••.••••••••••••• l2 List of Polling Locations in Boston ••••••.••.•••••••• l3 Voting Absentee •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 16 Voting Rights of Non-English Speakers •••••••••••••••• l7 Your Voting Rights on Election Day ••••••• •• •••••••••• l7 What to do if You Move .•• ••••••• •••• •••• ••••••••••••• l7 What if You are Asked to Show I.D •••••••••••• • ••••••• l7 What if You're Not on the Voting List •••••••••••••••• l8 What is a Challenged Ballot •••••••••••••• • ••••••••••• l8 What if the Polls Close? •••••••••• • •••••• • ••••••••••• l9 Public Presence at the Polling Place ••••••••••••••••• l9 Federal Officea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20 President, u.s. Senate, u.s. Congress •••••••••••• • ••• 20 u.s. Con9ressional District Map of Boston ••••••• ••• •• 22 State-Wide Offices ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 23 Governor, ~t. Governor,Secretary of State, Auditor, Attorney General, Treasurer ••••••••.•••••••• 23 The Massachusetts State Legislature •••••••••••••••••• 26 state Senators, State Senate Map of Boston ••••••••••• 26 State Representatives, State Rep Map of Boston ••••• •• 2B State Legislative Committees ••••.••••••••••••• • •••••• 31 City Offices ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 32 Mayor ••••••••••••• •••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 32 Boston City Council •.•••••.••••.••••.•••••••••••••••• 33 Boston School Committee •••••••••••••.••••••.•.•••.••• 34 City Council and School Committee Map •••••••••••••• • • 36 Ballot Questions ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 37 Ballot Questions that Affect State Laws & Government.37 Ballot Questions that Affect City Policy ••••••••••••• 38 Getting Questions on the Ballot •••••••••••••••••••••• 38 Political Parties in Kassachusetts ••••••••• •••••••••• 39 Massachusetts Democratic Party •••••••••••.••••••••••• 39 Massachusetts Republican Party •••••••••••••.•...••••• 41 Schedules for Ward Committee Elections •••••••.••••••• 42 Running for Political Office ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 43 1987 Election Calendar/Boston City Elections ••••••••• 44 1988 Election Calendar/Massachusetts State Elections.45 Wards of Boston/Maps 'Ward Committee Members •••••••• 46 Important Telephone Ruabers •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 68 Introduction Welcome to the Rainbow Multiversity's ~ Boston Voter Handbook. We have tried to produce a comprehensive guide to the political process. We hope that this handbook will take us further along the path to the political empowerment that is its inspiration. Knowledge is key to any political participation, including movements for change. As many of us have tried to use the electoral system, we are often frustrated by the maze of government agencies, regulations and restrictions, and "legalese" that seem to greet us at every turn. Information is often scattered, difficult to read and to digest. ~ Handbook has gathered, sifted, and tried to simplify. What we ask of you is that you~ it. It brings together information that Boston-based community and political party activists, potential candidates, voter registration advocates, and constituency groups can use--both as a reference to specific pieces of information, and as a planning and strategizing resource. We especially hope this guide will encourage more activity around voting rights, voter registration, and exercise of the right to vote. Over 1/3 of eligible Bostonians are nQt registered to vote. Each election day the Secretary of State's office accurately predicts record low voter turn-out. We must do things that make it worth registering and voting-we must encourage meaningful candidacies that will inspire, and the introduction of ballot measures that can make needed changes. We must analyze the electoral structures, so that we can enhance democratic features, and remove obstacles to greater participation. This handbook is also a tool in organizing voter registration drives. This takes on greater significance in light of the 1986 purge of 40,000 names from the Boston voter rolls, which turned back many of the registration gains of the last 3-4 years. Here are the changes in registered voter numbers in some of the key wards of color: 1984 1986 Loss Ward 8 4,196 3,691 505 (12%) Ward 9 7,274 6,462 812 (11%) Ward 12 9,418 7,531 1,887 (20%) Ward 14 12,248 9,909 2,339 (19%) Voting is a right, but the current registration procedures don' t encourage its exercise. Those who believe that society can only be enriched by the input and empowerment of ~ its members should join us in our goal of 100% registration. We consider this Handbook a working document that will grow and develop with your feedback. Its aim is to give residents of Boston a tool for maximum democratic participation. Use it well. Use it often. J • 1-oY 1> e. -h -n ""'- <-j, w ~ vc---r ""- v o ~ f\..5lJ\,, " +r ec.n ~ 4-cvb ~ I QJ._U)__Q_ ~0 h r\ b C.FY\ 0 V C'vn I J I . ~I e c-h VV\..4...1 ~~~---~ ~ <;--, ~ 1<-VV\ 24-t, ~~ H~ -=r2s- sB~o J Voter Registration Who Can Register to Vote? If you are a United States Citizen and 18 years old or older by election day you are eligible to register to vote. If you want to register in Massachusetts you must be a resident of the state. Registration is permanent in Massachusetts, so you only have to register once, unless you move or change your name. How to Register to Vote You may register during business hours (Monday - Friday,9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Election Commission at City Hall or at a special registration session in your city or neighborhood. (Note that registration records are processed by individual cities and towns. If you live outside Bostnn then you must register at the town hall for your town.) Call the Election Commission to find out when neighborhood registration sessions will be taking place in your area. To Contact the Election Comission in Boston: Boston Election Commission: Room 24l,Boston City Hall Boston,MA 02201 725-4635 When you go to register bring some identification or proof of residence, such as a driver's license or a utility bill printed with your name and address. The registrar will ask you to fill out the following form: l!!l'!'!l!yC:!! !0!!I!B!!W! ...,.. ..., _.._ . ~.......... ... r ~., JCICP'l' ...,." • .__- -- · .=,,......,, ....,..,_ ,,, - ,. ........... I I .-, -, • -,- ., -,, -·,, ..,.•----='r A -- ~ -!-;; .. ol- i!EJ- , -. 6 · _ . Lr-.. -.--- T"!l" -: I! ll'=-":' !1 .,---------'- ' -' ...----___,__ ' ...; '-:: ..._. I I - ':,..:'--'---~"-----= -.-rsnoar-.. .. ... I I ' I I I ~ I I I : I I ' ! Ill , 7iTij·~l I I[JI iii lli:j _,....~0110'GIM'I,__ !! _ _..,... 11= 11 """""" II - -I'MY10USI.YUSIIIII'•liJI lll __ii lll' l _ lll