Massachusetts voters head to the polls Tuesday for the Sept. 1 state primary, with Worcester voters weighing in on contested races for U.S. Senate and governor as well as two Democratic contests for seats in the state House of Representatives.
For those looking to cast a ballot before Election Day, time is running out. Friday is the final day of early voting in Worcester, with voting available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Worcester Public Library Main Branch, 3 Salem Square.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The deadline to register to vote in the primary was Aug. 22, while the deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot was Aug. 25.
Voters who already have mail ballots can return them by mail, deliver them to their local election office or use an authorized ballot drop box. Primary ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day.
What’s contested?
The highest-profile contest on the Democratic ballot is for U.S. Senate, where incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey faces U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.
Markey has served in the Senate since 2013 after more than three decades in the U.S. House. Moulton, a Marine veteran, has represented Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District since 2015.
The winner faces Republican John Deaton in November. Deaton is the only candidate in the Republican Senate primary.
The Republican ballot features a contested race for governor between Michael Roger Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve. The winner advances to the Nov. 3 election, where Democratic Gov. Maura Healey is seeking a second term. Healey is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Contested races closer to home
For some Worcester voters, another choice awaits farther down the Democratic ballot.
In the 14th Worcester District, longtime state Rep. James J. O’Day of West Boylston faces challenger Barur R. Rajeshkumar, also of West Boylston.
The district includes a portion of Worcester as well as West Boylston.
In the 15th Worcester District, incumbent state Rep. Mary S. Keefe of Worcester faces challenger Ronald B. Waddell Jr., also of Worcester, for the Democratic nomination.
The other House districts that include Worcester do not have contested Democratic primaries. John J. Mahoney is seeking reelection in the 13th Worcester District, Daniel M. Donahue in the 16th Worcester District and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf in the 17th Worcester District.
Republicans have no candidates on the primary ballot in Worcester’s 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th or 17th Worcester House districts.
Worcester is also divided between two state Senate districts, but neither has a contested primary. Democratic state Sen. Robyn Kennedy is the only candidate in the 1st Worcester District primary, while Democratic state Sen. Michael Moore is the only candidate in the 2nd Worcester District. Republicans have no candidates in either district.
Because Worcester is divided among several legislative districts, not every city voter will see the same state representative or state Senate race. Voters can enter their address in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s online voter information system to see the Democratic and Republican ballots specific to their precinct.
What else is on Worcester ballots?
Several statewide Democratic officeholders are seeking renomination without primary opposition, including Healey, Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Secretary of State William Galvin, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Auditor Diana DiZoglio.
U.S. Rep. James McGovern is also unopposed in the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District.
Democratic Governor’s Councillor Paul DePalo is unopposed in the 7th District primary, while Margaret Abboud is the sole Republican candidate for the seat.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is the only Democratic candidate for the Middle District, with no Republican candidate.
There is no Democratic nominee for Worcester County register of probate. Republican Stephanie Fattman is the only candidate for that office in the Republican primary.
Other Republican candidates running without primary opposition include Shawn Oliver for lieutenant governor, Michael C. Walsh for attorney general and Elizabeth Dionne for treasurer. Republicans have no candidates for secretary of state or auditor.
Which primary can I vote in?
Massachusetts has separate Democratic and Republican primary ballots.
Voters registered as Democrats may vote only in the Democratic primary, while registered Republicans may vote only in the Republican primary.
Voters registered as unenrolled — commonly referred to as independents — may choose either the Democratic or Republican ballot. Choosing a party ballot does not change an unenrolled voter’s registration.
Voters registered under one of Massachusetts’ recognized political designations, such as Libertarian, Green-Rainbow or Working Families, may also choose either party’s primary ballot.
Once a voter chooses a ballot and the poll worker records that selection, however, the voter cannot switch to the other party’s ballot.
Do I need an ID?
Most Massachusetts voters do not need to show identification when voting, but some may be asked to provide it.
That can include people voting for the first time in Massachusetts who registered by mail, voters listed as inactive and those casting provisional or challenged ballots.
Acceptable identification can include a driver’s license or state identification card as well as documents such as a recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease or other printed identification containing the voter’s name and address.
Not registered to vote? Sorry, too late
Massachusetts does not have same-day voter registration, meaning residents who were not registered by the Aug. 22 deadline cannot register at the polls Tuesday. But those who aren’t registered could perhaps take out a few minutes to do so.
The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 state election is Oct. 24.
Worcester voters can check their registration status, find their polling location and view the ballots for their ward and precinct on the secretary of the Commonwealth’s site.
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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