Rallies happening across the state to demand every vote counted

BOSTON — It’s the day after Election Day and the winner of the U.S. presidential election might not be known for hours, days or longer as critical battleground states have not yet declared winners leaving President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden short of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.

In Massachusetts, Election Day went relatively smoothly. Areas of the Bay State saw record numbers of in-person voters and 2.3 million voters cast their ballots either by mail or in-person ahead of Nov. 3.

Here are the latest updates for Nov. 4:

Live updates

Rallies underway in Mass. as vote tally continues

8:45 p.m.: In multiple parts of Boston, rallies have begun as citizens have gathered to protest as results of the 2020 presidential election have continued to filter in. Rallies are taking place throughout the city, including in Nubian Square in Roxbury where they planned to march downtown.

Question 2 fails in Mass.

4:00 p.m.: The Associated Press has announced that Massachusetts' second ballot initiative, which would implement ranked-choice voting in some of the state’s elections, has failed. The organization made the announcement just before 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4

National Guard staging in Boston in preparation for planned protests

3:00 p.m.: National Guard troops have begun staging in Boston just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. There are multiple post-election marches planned in Boston tonight. Sky25 saw some of those troops in the area of Kneeland Street in Boston.

Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard on Monday in preparation for Election night and the ensuing days.

Mass. Elections Division says ballots not invalidated due to writing utensils in state

2:30 p.m.: The Boston Elections Division took to social media on Wednesday afternoon to answer a common question they said they’ve been receiving as it relates to ballot invalidation in the state. They said that, in Massachusetts, ballots are not invalidated if they are filled in with certain types of pens, markers or pencils.

The Elections Division also outlined the process by which ballots are counted in Massachusetts, regardless of the writing utensil used.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) retains seat in win over Sara Gideon

1:55 p.m.: In one of the senate’s most contentious elections in 2020, incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has won reelection in Maine, defeating challenger Sara Gideon, the Associated Press announced just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The win is a crucial keep for Republicans, who are looking to hold their majority in the U.S. Senate.

Trump picks up Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, earns lone electoral vote from New England

1:35 p.m.: The Associated Press has called Maine’s 2nd Congressional District for President Donald Trump, the organization announced just after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

As Maine has two congressional districts that award electoral votes in their own right from the state, the president has picked up one of four possible electoral votes from Maine. Joe Biden won the statewide vote and took home the other congressional district, awarding him the other three.

That means that the president has added one electoral vote to his tally, pushing him to 214. The lone electoral vote from Maine was the only electoral vote the president won from New England in 2020.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Boston voter turnout was “average”

11:45 a.m.: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh held a news conference Wednesday afternoon. In addition to providing updates about the coronavirus, he reported on local voting numbers from yesterday’s election.

For the city of Boston, Walsh said 274,344 Bostonians cast their ballot so far, tallying 63.5% of registered voters. In 2016, he said 66.75% of registered voters cast their ballot and in 2012 it was 65.87%.

“Boston yesterday beat the 2008 turnout. … If you average the last four presidential elections, we’re right in the average place,” Walsh said.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito released the following statement the day after Election Day

11:30 a.m.: The United States of America depends on every American having the freedom to cast their vote and for every vote to be counted.

Every American, regardless of political affiliation, especially the President and every candidate on the ballot, should be united in supporting this process.

Regardless of who wins this election, the challenges facing the Commonwealth and the nation remain: defeating the pandemic, rebuilding the economy, and supporting those who need help in these difficult days.

When the results are finally determined, we are hopeful that all candidates, especially the two running for the most powerful office in the world, set aside partisanship to improve the lives of all Americans.

While many anxiously await the results of this critically important election everyone must exercise their First Amendment right peacefully if they choose to do so, and we ask everyone to be respectful of one another.

Numerous rallies are planned across the Bay State to ensure every vote is counted

9 a.m.: Boston 25 News has learned of at least two rallies happening Wednesday night in the city.

Protect the Results, the ACLU, the NAACP and Indivisible are hosting a “Count Every Vote” rally starting at 3 p.m. in Boston Common. Organizers expect more than 3,000 people to attend.

The second rally starts at 6 p.m. in Nubian Square. It’s being put on by several progressive groups who are also calling for every vote to be counted.

Meanwhile, Worcester Trial Court will close early at 3 p.m. Wednesday out of an abundance of caution ahead of a pair of demonstrations in downtown Worcester that are set to begin at 5 p.m.

A court spokesperson told Boston 25 News the courthouse is closing early “out of an abundance of caution for staff and the public,” and said there is no intelligence from state or local law enforcement that the rallies will be violent in nature.

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