The state primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day. Many voters are unaware of this early primary date and may be out of town or unable to vote in the primary. There will not be an early voting period for the primary.
In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at their polling place on Election Day, due to:
- Absence from the voter’s city or town on Election Day; or
- Physical disability; or
- Religious belief.
Elections offices highly recommend that voters request an absentee ballot at least ONE MONTH prior to primary day to ensure that it arrives in time to vote. Absentee ballot applications can also be downloaded and must be received by a person’s city or town elections office by 5 p.m. Friday August 31, 2018. Voters must mail, email, or fax the completed absentee ballot back to their local elections office by the close of polls (8 p.m. EST).
There are many important races on primary day. For many offices on the ballot, the elected official will be decided on Sept. 4, not Nov. 6. In particular, many district races such as district attorney, state Senator and Representative, and Governor’s Council have only one party with primary candidates, potentially leading to primary winners running unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election.