What you need to know about the Massachusetts primary

On September 3, Massachusetts voters will decide on the slate of candidates for local and state offices that will appear on the general election ballot on November 5. Here's what you need to know to vote in the Massachusetts primary.

Important dates:

Primary election day: September 3
Deadline for voter registration: August 24, 11:59 p.m.
Early voting: August 24-30
Deadline for submitting postal ballot applications: August 26, 5 p.m.

How do I register to vote?

On-line: You can register to vote online using your driver's license or other identification document. Click here to see a list of all accepted identification documents.

By post: You can register to vote by mail by downloading this voter registration form, completing it, and mailing it to your local election office. Your form must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline of August 24.

Personal: You can register in person at your local town clerk, electoral commission and election offices. You can also register at the Commonwealth Secretary's office, the Elections Division and the Commonwealth Secretary's regional offices.

When and where can I vote on election day?

On Election Day, all polling places across the state will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, in some cities or towns, polls may open as early as 5:45 a.m. Check with your local election office for your polling place's hours.

Can I participate in the primaries of either party?

Massachusetts has three political parties: Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian. Each party holds its own primary election, with only that party's candidate appearing on the ballot. Unaffiliated candidates, or “independents,” do not appear on the primary election ballot, but rather on the general election ballot.

How can I vote by mail?

Absentee ballot applications must be received by your local election office by 5:00 p.m. on August 26. You can return your absentee ballot by mailing it in the enclosed envelope, dropping it off in person at your local election office, dropping it off at an early voting location during early voting hours, or using an absentee ballot drop box. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be received by your local election office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

What if I need help voting?

Massachusetts requires polling places to meet certain accessibility standards, including providing accessible parking, entrances, and ramps wherever there are stairs.

If you are blind or have a visual impairment or other disability that would make it difficult to complete a paper ballot, you can request an accessible absentee ballot.

Federal law also requires that all ballot materials be available in both Spanish and English. In Massachusetts, ballot materials are also available in Chinese, Vietnamese and Khmer.

If you became a U.S. citizen after the voter registration deadline, you can still register to vote at your local polling place until 4 p.m. on the day of the primary election. You will need proof that your naturalization ceremony took place after the voter registration deadline.

Voters may bring someone with them to the polling place to assist them during the voting process. Click here for more information on language and disability access.

How do I get more information about the cCandidates?

Click here to see a list of candidates running in the primary. Visit ballotready.org to learn more about the candidates and plan your vote. Click here for more information on voting and elections in Massachusetts. You can find more of our coverage of the 2024 elections at thepublicsradio.org/2024elections.