The 2026 Massachusetts state primary falls on Tuesday, Sept. 1, ahead of midterm elections this November.
Registered voters in Massachusetts will cast ballots for U.S. senator, governor, and attorney general, among several other offices. The primary election determines which candidates will represent their respective parties in November’s general election.
While incumbent Gov. Maura Healey is the only gubernatorial candidate on the Democrats’ ballot, two candidates – Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve – are on the Republicans’ ballot. Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton are competing for the 2026 U.S. Senate Democratic nomination, while John Deaton is the only Republican running for senator.
If you’re registered as a Democrat or 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 (“Independent”) or in a political designation, you can vote in the primary of your choice.
Here’s what to know about voting in this primary election.
Massachusetts voting deadlines
Here are the Massachusetts voting deadlines for the 2026 state primary election, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website:
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Voter Registration Deadline: Saturday, Aug. 22
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Vote by Mail Application Deadline: Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m.
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Early Voting Period: Saturday, Aug. 22, to Friday, Aug. 28
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Election Day: Tuesday, Sept. 1
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State General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Where to vote for the 2026 MA state primary
You can find your Massachusetts polling location here to vote in person on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
No-excuse early Vote by Mail is available for state elections, state primaries, presidential primaries, and most local. However, you would have already had to request a mail-in ballot for the 2026 state primary.
To return your ballot, you can mail it back, hand-deliver it, drop it off at an early voting location, or use a ballot drop box. Ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day. You can track your ballot here.
When do polls open and close on Tuesday, Sept. 1?
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.
Do you need an ID to vote at the polls?
According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, voters may need to show identification when they check in at their polling place if:
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They’re voting for the first time in Massachusetts
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They’re on the inactive voter list
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They’re casting a provisional or challenged ballot
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The poll worker has a practical and legal reason to ask for identification
Examples of acceptable identification are:
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Copy of a voter registration affidavit
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Letter from a school dormitory or housing office
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Any other printed identification which contains voter’s name and address
How do I register to vote in this MA election?
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?
The following government offices are on the ballot in Massachusetts for state primary (a list of candidates is available on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website):
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County Commissioner (certain counties only)
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County Treasurer (certain counties only)
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Sheriff (Franklin County – to fill vacancy)
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts Sept. 1 primary: Where to vote, polling hours
