MA election results show a great night for incumbents. See primary results

It was a night for incumbents in Massachusetts.

The night started with the U.S. Senate primary race quickly being called in favor of Sen. Ed Markey over Rep. Seth Moulton, and from there, incumbents came out ahead in a string of races against challengers who promised generational change.

Markey will face Republican candidate John Deaton, who was unopposed in the primary.

Down the ballot of U.S. House races, not a single challenger running on a platform of change took home the win.

In District 6, which was left wide open by Rep. Seth Moulton not running for reelection, Dan Koh, a former White House aide, was the projected winner in a crowded field. Koh had endorsements from former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Mike Minogue defeated Brian Shortsleeve. He will move on to face Maura Healey, who was unopposed in the primary.

Here’s what to know:

Lynch fends off challenger, will have opponent in general election

11:16 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., has defeated lawyer Patrick Roath in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts 8th Congressional District, fending off a challenge that revolved around generational change.  HHDQ and NBC called the race in favor of Lynch.

Like many races around the country, Roath, 39, had made an argument for generational change in his bid to unseat the 71-year-old congressman, who has served since 2001.  

However, Lynch emphasized his experience, saying there was value in having institutional memory and pointing to his ability to work across bipartisan lines. 

Lynch’s win in the primary means it’s likely that he will be serving his 14th term in office. Lynch will face Republican Robert Gerald Burke, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, in the safe blue district in the November general election. 

Neal holds off challenger to keep seat

11:01 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Incumbent Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., 77, has defeated teacher Jeromie Whalen, 39, in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts 1st Congressional District with NBC and DDHQ calling the race.

The race was one of the many in Massachusetts that revolved around generational change. Neal has served 19 terms in the House. 

With this win, he’ll almost certainly serve a 20th. No Republican is running in the November general election. 

The 1st District covers the western and some central parts of the state, including the city of Springfield. 

Dan Koh wins primary for Seth Moulton’s empty seat

10:33 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Dan Koh, a former White House official, has won the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. DDHQ and NBC called the race in his favor.

He will likely be replacing Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who vacated his seat to run for U.S. Senate, in the solid blue seat. Koh will face Republican Micah Quinney Jones, who was uncontested in the Republican primary, in November. 

Koh, who was endorsed by heavy hitters like former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Boston mayor Marty Walsh, bested a crowded field of candidates. They included state Rep. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, who had been backed by U.S. Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Lori Trahan as well as MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell. 

The other candidates were software engineer Bethany Andres-Beck, 42, businessman John Beccia, 56, and Topsfield Town Moderator Jamie Belsito, 52. Former federal worker Mariah Lancaster, 36, was on the ballot but ended her campaign on Aug. 30 and endorsed Nguyen. 

Markey declares victory, thanks youth

10:14 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Sen. Ed Markey shouted out his young supporters and the progressive movement in his victory speech on Sept. 1 after winning the U.S. Senate Democratic primary over Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton.

“Tonight is a testament to the progressive movement. It is a progressive movement fueled by young people demanding more from their leaders, and it’s your voices that are the ones we need to hear right now,” Markey said. “Your leadership will show us the way.”

Markey said he spoke to Moulton and offered him his “appreciation for a hard-fought campaign.”

He then turned to the general election, where he will face Republican John Deaton, explaining what he called his “bold, transformational, progressive agenda,” which includes universal childcare, Medicare for all and abortion rights.

“Don’t stay out too late tonight,” he said. “Our work has only just begun.”

Incumbent Keating wins his primary

10:00 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Incumbent Rep. Bill Keating, 73, has defeated Craig Swallow, a 40-year-old consultant, in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 9th Congressional District, which covers Cape Cod and the Islands and parts of the South Shore. NBC and DDHQ have called the race in Keating’s favor.

The race was one of the many in Massachusetts that revolved around generational change. Keating has served eight terms in the House. 

With this win, he’ll likely serve a ninth. He will face Republican R. Tyler MacAllister, who was uncontested in the Republican primary, in November in the solid blue district.

State Rep. O’Day defeats Rajeshkumar

09:39 PM ET, September 1 2026, Adri Pray

Rep. James O’Day defeated his first primary challenger in his near two-decade career leading Worcester’s 14th District, defeating West Boylston Select Board member Barur “Raj” Rajeshkumar.

Voters in West Boylston and parts of northern Worcester endorsed O’Day for an 11th term leading the district. O’Day received 2,921 votes to 1,815 for Rajeshkumar.

O’Day had touted his record of championing affordability, housing, health care and commuter service priorities against Rajeshkumar’s promises to chase state and federal funding for education and infrastructure for the area.

O’Day, who serves Speaker Ronald Mariano’s House leadership team as Fourth Division chair, collected a slew of high-profile endorsements from Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Ed Markey, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., and Mariano.

Locally, his record earned him endorsements from Worcester City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King, District 2 Councilor Robert Bilotta and District 4 Councilor Luis Ojeda, according to his campaign. Bilotta’s and Ojeda’s council districts sit within O’Day’s legislative district.

Representative Mary Keefe, who faced her own challenger in Tuesday’s primary, also endorsed O’Day.

Rajeshkumar has collected endorsements from Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty; District 1 Councilor Tony Economou; District 5 Councilor Jose Rivera; and Councilors-at-Large Morris Bergman, Kathleen Toomey and Satya Mitra.

Economou, whose district sits within the area Rajeshkumar seeks to represent, endorsed the West Boylston selectman because of his stance to audit the Mass. Legislature, which voters overwhelmingly voted for in 2024, he told MassLive. O’Day voted for the audit in a House vote, he told the Telegram, but expressed concerns that the audit would be an overzealous overstep of power for a Legislature that is routinely examined.

O’Day has outspent Rajeshkumar over the course of the race, according to filings with the Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance. To date, the incumbent has spent $71,979.56 to his challenger’s $37,057.99.

No Republican candidate qualified for the ballot in the 14th Worcester District.

Moulton concedes to Markey

09:31 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said he spoke to Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and pledged to help him win reelection in November after Moulton lost the U.S. Senate Democratic primary.

“We entered this race as an underdog and know the outcome tonight might not be what we had hoped for. We ran a race that stood on principle – that wasn’t just about politics as usual – and that elevated the voices of Massachusetts citizens who have been left behind by the status quo in Washington,” Moulton said in a statement. “I am proud of the race we ran, the culture our campaign built, and the conversations we started. Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn’t easy, but it is necessary. I will continue to push the Democratic Party – and our country – to look towards the future.”

Moulton said he is “confident” that his campaign will encourage others to also “buck the system when they’re told to ‘wait their turn.'” 

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark wins her primary

09:29 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., has defeated two challengers in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 5th Congressional District to win an eight term in the U.S. House. NBC and DDHQ have called the race in her favor.

She bested Tarik Samman, a 27-year-old union organizer and Harvard Law School researcher, and Jonathan Paz, a 33-year-old former Waltham city councilor and immigrant rights organizer. 

Clark will almost certainly win the general election as no Republicans are running. 

The 5th District includes suburbs north and west of Boston, including parts of Cambridge.

Worcester Rep. Mary Keefe defeats primary challenger

09:27 PM ET, September 1 2026, Adri Pray

Democratic Rep. Mary Keefe fended off a primary challenge from political newcomer Ron Waddell Jr. to win the Democratic nomination for an eighth term as state representative from Worcester’s 15th District.

Keefe received 1,285 votes to 696 for Waddell, winning by a margin of 65% to 35%. The district stretches from downtown Worcester east to the shore of Lake Quinsigamond, and includes the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood in Worcester.

Keefe, a founding member of the Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, touted her experience, which focuses heavily on criminal justice reform, education, affordability and transparency, over electing a new representative. Waddell, who moved to Worcester in 2002, said it was time for fresh faces. He prioritized safer streets, affordability and economic opportunity for the city’s downtown neighborhoods.

In a debate hosted by members of Worcester-area media, Keefe voiced support for the creation of civilian oversight review board with subpoena power to oversee the Worcester Police Depatment, citing the will of her constituents and the recommendations of a Worcester Regional Research Bureau report. The creation of a review board has been a hot-button issue for some Worcester residents who say the added layer of accountability is necessary in fostering trust with the Police Department, which was the subject of a recent federal investigation.

Waddell did not outwardly endorse the idea of a review board, but spoke in favor of funding intervention services to de-escalate situations through community partnerships. He said his work with the nonprofit he leads, Legendary Legacies, which assists formerly incarcerated individuals with reentry after release, positions him well to do this work.

Waddell would have been the first person of color to serve one of Worcester’s state representative districts. Former 15th District Rep. Vincent Pedone, who represented the area for nearly 20 years, endorsed the newcomer.

Waddell outspent the incumbent candidate over the course of the race, according to filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Keefe’s reelection campaign has spent $12,600.26 to Waddell’s $38,844.93.

No Republican candidate has qualified for the ballot in the 15th Worcester District.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss fends off challenger

09:18 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Incumbent Rep. Jake Auchincloss, 38, has defeated Jason Poulos, a 40-year-old AI researcher, in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District.  NBC and Decision Desk HQ have called the race for Auchincloss.

He will face Thomas Stalcup, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, in the November general election. Like all nine House districts in Massachusetts, the district is rated “Solid D” by the Cook Political Report.

Mike Minogue earns GOP Governor primary nomination

08:51 PM ET, September 1 2026, Hazel Gandhi

Mike Minogue has defeated Brian Shortsleeve to win the Republican nomination for Massachusetts’ Governor race, NBC and AP project.

Minogue, a 59-year-old businessman and political newcomer will now face Democrat Maura Healey in the general election in November. 

Minogue earned the Republican endorsement at the party’s convention in April and was largely self-funded, raising over $17 million for his campaign, of which about 90% was his own money. 

Compared to him, Shortsleeve raised about $3 million with 40% self-funded.  

Minogue’s campaign largely focused on accountability, affordability, opportunity and safety.

Senate race called for Markey

08:33 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has defeated Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, AP and DDHQ project, all but assuring a third full term. 

Moulton, 47, had run on a message of generation change, arguing that Markey, 80, was too old for another term and that the state needed a new generation of leaders. However, Markey had stressed his progressive credentials and the benefits of his experience. 

“It’s not your age, it’s the age of your ideas,” he said repeatedly. 

On Tuesday, it appeared Markey’s message had won out. 

Markey will face Republican John Deaton in the general election in November. However, in the safe blue seat, Markey is expected to win. 

Markey takes early lead as votes start to be counted

08:24 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

The first elections numbers are starting to come, and outlets are reporting Sen. Ed Markey is leading over Rep. Seth Moulton with 75.5% of the vote. It’s early in the night with only about 12,000 votes counted.

In the GOP Governor race Michael Minogue is leading over Brian Shortsleeve with less that 2000 votes counted.

See poll results in key races in real-time

08:06 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Has President Donald Trump endorsed Michael Minogue or Brian Shortsleeve

07:37 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

President Donald Trump has stayed out of the Massachusetts races, not endorsing any candidates this cycle.

When will we have official election results?

07:31 PM ET, September 1 2026, Caitlyn Kelleher

Local election officials release unofficial results shortly after polls close. The final results need to be certified by election officials, which does not happen until a few days after the election.  This is because the local elections office has 4 days after a state primary election to resolve all provisional ballots and wait for ballots to come in the mail. According to the Secretary of State’s Office those four days will be used to  

• Review write-in vote tallies to ensure an accurate count 

• Confirm vote tallies by precinct 

When do polls close in Massachusetts?

07:00 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Polls will close at 8 p.m. in Massachusetts today. Anyone who was in line to vote at 8 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

Photos from election day

05:53 PM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Where are election monitors in MA today?

03:28 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

The Justice Department is also sending election monitors to Lowell, the Civil Rights Decision announced Sept. 1, in addition to Boston and New Bedford.

“Monitoring is an essential duty for the Civil Rights Division during election season,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a press release. “Nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory monitoring efforts promote transparency, accountability, and most importantly trust in our federal elections.”

According to the press release, the DOJ sent 12 monitors to polls in those three cities. 

This primary season so far, the department has deployed over 80 monitors to 200 polling locations across eight states. In 2022, monitors were sent to nine states.

What to know about the open seat race to replace Seth Moulton in 6th District

02:56 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Six Democrats are on the ballot for the Massachusetts 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who is running for U.S. Senate. This district encompasses the Northeast part of the state.

Among the candidates are former White House official Dan Koh, 41, and state Rep. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, 40.

Koh has received endorsements from former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Boston mayor Marty Walsh. 

Nguyen has received endorsements from U.S. Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Lori Trahan, MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell and the Boston Globe.

UMass Boston political science professor Erin O’Brien said that Koh has been tagged with “the more moderate DC swagger, DC insider,” while Nguyen and others have been seen as “progressive, not as connected, grassroots.”

The outcome of the race, she said, will signal what “flavor of Democrat” voters are looking for.

“I don’t know if the frame’s completely fair, but the frame that’s been put on this race is more moderate, DC connections, more of an outsider, which one of those will make a difference?” O’Brien said. “It’s one data point on what direction is the Democratic Party going.”

The other candidates include software engineer Bethany Andres-Beck, 42, businessman John Beccia, 56, and Topsfield Town Moderator Jamie Belsito, 52. Former federal worker Mariah Lancaster, 36, ended her campaign on Aug. 30 and endorsed Nguyen. There has been limited polling in the race.

A solid blue district, the winner of the primary is expected to win the general election.

How many people have already voted? Some turnout higher than normal

02:11 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Over 10% of Massachusetts residents already voted before polls even opened on Sept. 1.

555,525 people had cast their ballots for the Massachusetts primary election early, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, with 483,946 returning a ballot by mail and 71,579 voting early in person.

It’s the highest in-person early voter turnout the state has had for a primary since 2020, Deb O’Malley, director of communications for the office, said. In 2024, the overall turnout, including both early voting and day of voting, in the primary was just 16.7%.

Democrats are more likely to have voted early than Republicans: about 84% of early ballots were cast by Democrats.

Polls in final weeks show Markey pulling ahead

12:52 PM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Four polls released in the final two weeks before the primary have found Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., pulling away from Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary.

A UMass Poll from Aug. 17 found that 60% of said they are planning to vote for or leaning towards Markey, over 32% for Moulton. A Suffolk University poll released Aug. 18 found Markey leading Moulton 52% to 38%. A University of New Hampshire poll released Aug. 26 found Markey leading Moulton 63% to 28%. And an Emerson College poll released Aug. 30 found Markey leading Moulton 65% to 35%.

Both the UNH poll and the Emerson poll were a switch from earlier this summer, when both polls found Markey’s lead over Moulton had narrowed to single digits.

“If these numbers hold, this race will mirror Markey’s successful ‘peak-late’ approach to winning in 2020, when the Senator moved from 16 points behind in our May poll to 12 points ahead in August, a 28-point swing, ultimately winning by 11,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a statement. “This cycle, the margin similarly shifted from a five-point lead in May to a 30-point lead in the final Emerson poll.”

In Worcester, some never miss a vote

11:20 AM ET, September 1 2026, Kinga Borondy

WORCESTER – For the early morning voters trickling into the gym Tuesday morning, Sept. 1, at Burncoat High School, where two voting precincts had been set up side-by-side, separated only by yellow caution tape, filling out the ballot was a matter of civic duty, ingrained from an early age.

Robin Currie walked in, prepared to vote in Ward 3, Precinct 6, part of the 14th Worcester House District, where Rep. James O’Day is being challenged by Barur Rajeshkumar in the Democratic primary. Currie was accompanied by two of her adult children.

“We used to live in another town where they had the voting machines where you clicked the buttons and then pulled the lever [to record the vote],” Currie said. “My son always pulled the lever.”

Tuesday morning, two of her children filled out their own ballots and cast them alongside their mother.

“If people are not involved in voting, it’s not good for democracy,” Currie said. “Stuff happens quietly when we’re busy with our lives. We have to be cognizant.”

Walter Shea has been voting in every election since he was old enough to register to vote – and that has been for more than 50 years.

“Mom and Dad, God rest their souls, told me I had to get involved with my community; I had to participate,” Shea said.

Other voters told similar stories about their parents introducing them to voting and election cycles.

“My father raised me to be a voter,” said Ellen Green, adding that the least of a person’s civic responsibilities as an American is to vote. “I have been voting all my life, as soon as I could.”

Green remembers missing elections cycles only when she was ill, but now votes in every single one.

“I wish people would remember we’re a community – either a micro community, like the neighborhood; or a macro community, like the U.S.; or globally – we should try to get along,” Green said.

Even as older voters reminisced about their introduction to casting ballots, younger parents walked into the polling location with their children. Ryan Matson brought his son, William, with him to the polling location, stopping to cast a ballot on their way to the boy’s school.

“It’s an important civic duty,” Matson said.

Laurel and Charlie Stine walked in with dog, Freya, who earned pets and scratches from the poll workers.

“I love participating in local government,” Laurel Stine said, adding she hasn’t missed an election cycle since she was old enough to register. “Primaries are important.”

Luis “Rod” Rodriguez, a National Guardsman with the Joint Forces Headquarters, said his high school history teacher explained the process of voting to him, and the importance of being part of the process and having his voice heard.

“It’s my civic duty; I’ve been voting my whole life,” Rodriguez said after casting his ballot.

On the other side of the caution tape, Cynthia Njenga cast her ballot after updating her voter information.

“I was listed as an inactive voter,” Njenga said, explaining that she had failed to update her address, but was able to do so on the spot.

“More young people need to be involved in local politics,” said Njenga said, who working to earn her master’s degree in public health.

At Worcester Technical High School on Officer Manny Familia Way, poll workers were lamenting the lack of morning voters registered to cast ballots in Ward 3, Precinct 1. Locally, Rep. Mary Keefe, representing the 15th District Worcester, is running in the Democratic primary against challenger Ronald Waddell Jr.

“We haven’t had a single voter,” said Jennifer Ziegenfuss, a first-time poll worker, at about 8:30, an hour and a half after the polls opened.

Ziegenfuss volunteered for duty after reading on the city’s web page about the need for poll workers. “I’ve always been interested in history and politics. I registered at 18 and have voted in every election since.”

A research scientist at UMass Chan Medical School, Ziegenfuss enjoyed the morning, despite the lack of voter traffic. “I got to talk to people who are as interested in politics as I am.”

The experience, Ziegenfuss believes, will help her answer questions about the process and importance of voting.

“Especially now,” Ziegenfuss said, adding that having young people volunteer as poll workers shows that the voting system in the United States is still healthy.

Has Trump endorsed any candidates in Massachusetts?

11:00 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck and Margie Cullen

President Donald Trump has stayed out of the Massachusetts races, not endorsing any candidates this cycle.

In the past, he has. In 2022, he endorsed former Massachusetts state Rep. Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, in his 2022 run for governor. Diehl won the primary but lost the election to Gov. Maura Healey.

So far this election cycle, Trump has a near-perfect record when it comes to endorsing winning Republican primary candidates: a 96% success rate in GOP contests across congressional, state legislative and statewide elections so far in 2026, according to a review of Trump’s picks by Ballotpedia.

While he did not endorse in Massachusetts, he has made endorsements in two New Hampshire races ahead of their primary next week. Trump endorsed former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate and Portsmouth businessman and first-time candidate Anthony DiLorenzo in the crowded Republican primary for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.

Where are there election monitors in Massachusetts today?

10:01 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Voters in Boston and New Bedford may see federal election monitors when they head to the polls on Sept. 1.

In July, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon said in a post on X that New Bedford and Boston were two of 15 jurisdictions in six states that were getting election monitors. 

Secretary of the Commonwealth spokeswoman Debra O’Malley confirmed in an email Aug. 24 that the office expects the Department of Justice to send monitors to those towns. She said that the DOJ has communicated directly with the cities, but not with the Secretary’s office.

O’Malley did not know whether they will visit any other locations in Massachusetts. Monitors are also being sent to Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Virginia.

Full Coverage: Where and why DOJ is sending election monitors to Massachusetts

What are provisional ballots?

09:04 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

In Massachusetts, provisional ballots will be issued for two reasons during an election – either your name is not on the voter list or you cannot provide proper identification when you check in to vote.  

Local elections office have 12 days after local elections to resolve all provisional ballots for local elections. Local offices only have three days after state or presidential primary elections.  

If the local election office confirms that you’re registered to vote, your ballot will be counted, according to Massachusetts law. If your voter registration status cannot be confirmed, your ballot will be destroyed and not counted.  

If your name is not on the voter list, double check to make sure you are at the correct polling location. If you are, you can ask a poll worker to contact your local election office to confirm you’re registered to vote.  

If you registered to vote by mail, then you must provide identification when voting for the first time in Massachusetts. If you don’t have identification with you, then must return with proof of identification before the polls close for your ballot to be counted.  

For more information, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. 

Hot district attorney race

08:30 AM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

A few district attorney primary races in Massachusetts are contested, but it’s the Norfolk County race that’s garnered the most attention after Michael Morrissey, who has been the DA for 15 years and presided over controversial cases like the Karen Read trial, decided not to run again.

Seven Democrats are vying to take his spot. They include Jim Barakat, Gregory Connor, Adam Deitch, Robert Louis Jubinville, Macy Lee, Craig MacLellan and Djuna Elizabeth Perkins.

State House shakeups

08:01 AM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Slightly more state lawmakers are being challenged this year than last.

Four Senate and 20 House incumbents face a primary challenger, and 15 seats are open. 

The Massachusetts State House has a Democratic supermajority, and most of the primary challenges are on the Democratic side.

You can see if your state lawmaker is being challenged using our maps.

Challengers stress generational change in contested primaries for U.S. House

07:30 AM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

All of Massachusetts nine House seats are considered safe Democratic seats. But the current representatives face more primary challenges than usual this year, with many revolving around generational change.

Here are the contested Democratic primaries:

1st Congressional District: Incumbent Richard Neal, 77, vs. Jeromie Whalen, 39, a teacher. This district covers the western and some central parts of the state, including the city of Springfield.

4th Congressional District: Incumbent Jake Auchincloss, 38, vs. Jason Poulos, 40, an AI researcher. This district goes from communities right outside Boston, like Newton and Brookline, down to the Rhode Island border and Fall River.

5th Congressional District: Incumbent House minority whip Katherine Clark, 63, vs. Tarik Samman, a 27-year-old union organizer and Harvard Law School researcher, and Jonathan Paz, a 33-year-old former Waltham city councilor and immigrant rights organizer. This district includes suburbs north and west of Boston, including parts of Cambridge.

6th Congressional District: Six Democrats are vying for the seat vacated by Rep. Seth Moulton, who is running for Senate. They are software engineer Bethany Andres-Beck, 42, businessman John Beccia, 56, Topsfield Town Moderator Jamie Belsito, 52, former White House official Dan Koh, 41, former federal worker Mariah Lancaster, 36, and state Rep. Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, 40. This district encompasses the Northeast part of the state.

8th Congressional District: Incumbent Stephen Lynch, 71, vs. Patrick Roath, a 39-year-old lawyer and former aide to former Gov. Deval Patrick. This district includes parts of Boston, its suburbs and southeast Massachusetts.

9th Congressional District: Incumbent Bill Keating, 73, vs. Craig Swallow, a 40-year-old consultant. This district encompasses Cape Cod and the Islands and parts of the South Shore.

There are no contested Republican primaries for U.S. House.

Polls open across Massachusetts

07:04 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Polls are now open across the state. Opening at 7 a.m., they will remain open until 8 p.m. Voters in line when polls close at 8 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

If you’re unsure where your voting place is, this handy tool from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office will help you find your location.

What to know in Governor’s race

06:45 AM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is uncontested in the Democratic primary. But she will face a general election challenge from one of two Republicans vying for the nomination.

The candidates in the Republican primary are Michael Minogue, former CEO of a medical device company, and Brian Shortsleeve, former MBTA chief administrator. The two are fairly similar: they are both military veterans turned businessmen who support cutting taxes and immigration enforcement. However, Minogue does not support abortion rights, while Shortsleeve does. Minogue also leads handily in fundraising, with $8.1 million on hand compared to Shortsleeve’s about $527,000 according to the latest campaign finance reports.

What are voter ID laws for Massachusetts?

06:30 AM ET, September 1 2026, Bailey Allen

Most voters will only have to tell a poll worker their home address to be able to vote.

According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, voters may need to show identification when they check in at their polling place if:

• They’re voting for the first time in Massachusetts

• They’re on the inactive voter list

• They’re casting a provisional or challenged ballot

• The poll worker has a practical and legal reason to ask for identification

Examples of acceptable identification

• Copy of a voter registration affidavit

• Letter from a school dormitory or housing office

• Any other printed identification which contains voter’s name and address

What if you don’t have proper identification?

Those who need to show identification because they’re voting for the first time and don’t have their ID with them can cast a provisional ballot. If they return with identification before the polls close, their ballot will be counted, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

Voters who need to show identification for any other reason and are not able to do so can cast a challenged ballot. This ballot will be cast as normal and only examined if there is a recount, court order, or audit, the office said.

US Senate battle between Markey and Moulton

06:15 AM ET, September 1 2026, Margie Cullen

The biggest race of the day is on the Democratic ballot.

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, six-term Rep. Seth Moulton, who represents the northeast part of the state, is taking on incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass, who is seeking his third full term in the Senate. The race has centered around age versus experience: Moulton is 47, while Markey is 80.

The winner will face Republican John Deaton, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. But in deep blue Massachusetts, the winner of the Democratic primary is heavily favored in the general election. Deaton last ran for Senate against Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2024, when he lost. 

Can independent (Unenrolled) voters cast ballots in the MA primaries?

06:07 AM ET, September 1 2026, Bailey Allen

If you’re registered as a Democrat or a Republican, you can vote only in your respective party’s primary, according to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

If you’re registered as Unenrolled (also known as “independent”) or in a political designation, you can vote in the primary of your choice. Choosing a ballot won’t enroll you in a party.

Once you’ve chosen a Democratic or Republican ballot, and the poll worker marks your choice, you cannot change your selection.

If you vote by mail, you must select a Democratic or Republican ballot on the Vote by Mail application. If you don’t, you won’t receive a primary ballot.

How do I register to vote in this MA election?

05:45 AM ET, September 1 2026, Bailey Allen

The deadline to register to vote ahead of the 2026 state primary has passed. There is no same-day voter registration in Massachusetts.

You can check your voter status here. If you aren’t registered, you can do so online, in person, or by mail.

The deadline for voter registration ahead of the general election in November is Saturday, Oct. 24.

Which offices are on the ballot in MA?

05:30 AM ET, September 1 2026, Bailey Allen

The following government offices are on the ballot in Massachusetts for the 2026 state primary (a list of candidates is available on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website):

• County Commissioner (certain counties only)

• County Treasurer (certain counties only)

• Sheriff (Franklin County – to fill vacancy)

Where to vote for the 2026 MA state primary

05:15 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

You can find your Massachusetts polling location here to vote in person on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

When do polls open and close on Tuesday, Sept. 1 in Massachusetts?

05:15 AM ET, September 1 2026, Katie Landeck

Polling centers will be open on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: MA election results show a great night for incumbents. See primary results