Communities Should Empty, Lock Ballot Boxes On Halloween: Galvin

Massachusetts communities are being asked to empty and lock their ballot boxes overnight on Halloween if they are unable to monitor them.

Secretary of State William Galvin's office has implored cities and towns to ensure added security for ballot boxes following the suspected arson of a Boston ballot box early Sunday. The fire destroyed 35 of the 122 ballots. Police arrested a Boston man later that evening in connection to the fire.

Officials are worried "Halloween pranks" could result in more ballot box tampering and destruction.

"What happened in the early hours of this morning to the ballot drop box in Copley Square is a disgrace to democracy, a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty, and a crime," Galvin and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a joint statement.

Framingham is among the communities adding security to their ballot boxes. Police officers will be on guard around the clock until polls close the night of Nov. 3.