Massachusetts voters are scheduled to cast ballots on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in a primary that will determine party nominees for several high-profile offices ahead of the November midterm elections.
What’s at stake
The primary includes contests for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general and all nine U.S. House seats. The outcome will shape the fall general-election matchups and could alter the balance of competitive seats in the state.
Among the races attracting the most attention is the Democratic U.S. Senate contest between incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and challenger Rep. Seth Moulton. The matchup pits a long-serving senator against a sitting member of the U.S. House in a race that has drawn national interest.
Governor and other statewide contests
On the Republican side, the gubernatorial primary features two candidates: Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve. The winner will go on to face incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in November; Healey was unopposed in her party’s primary.
The attorney general’s race and other statewide contests may also have long-term implications for policy and administration in Massachusetts, depending on which nominees prevail.
House races to watch
Several U.S. House contests are unusually competitive for this cycle. The open Sixth District seat — vacated by Rep. Seth Moulton as he sought the Senate nomination — drew a crowded Democratic field, with multiple candidates competing for the party’s nomination.
County and district-level races could reshape party representation in the U.S. House from Massachusetts, particularly where incumbents are not running or where multiple strong contenders have emerged.
Election logistics
Polls across the state will be open on primary day; voters should confirm location and hours through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website or their local elections office. Voters registered with a party can participate in that party’s primary; unenrolled voters may be able to participate depending on the party rules. Those who sought to vote by mail should have arranged for ballots in advance: ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted in most jurisdictions.
- Primary date: Tuesday, Sept. 1
- Polling hours: Vary by municipality; check local listings
- Key statewide races: U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general
- Notable House race: Open 6th District seat
| Race | Notable candidates |
|---|---|
| U.S. Senate (D) | Ed Markey, Seth Moulton |
| Governor (R) | Mike Minogue, Brian Shortsleeve |
| U.S. House, 6th District (D) | Multiple candidates vying to replace Seth Moulton |
Voter guidance and resources
Residents should verify their registration status, polling location and any ballot measures ahead of going to the polls. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s online resources include polling-place lookups and tools to check ballot status for those who used mail ballots.
Election officials remind voters that deadlines for absentee or mail ballots vary by municipality, and that mail ballots generally must be returned by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted. Drop boxes and town clerk offices in some communities accept completed ballots; voters should consult their local election office for permitted return methods.
What to expect after the polls close
Primary results typically begin to be reported after polls close, but the pace at which final results are available can vary depending on absentee ballot processing and any recount provisions. Close or contested races may take longer to be finalized if additional verification or legal challenges arise.
The primary will set the stage for the November general election, giving voters their first opportunity this cycle to shape which candidates appear on the fall ballot for some of the Commonwealth’s most consequential offices.
Andre Okonkwo is WE NEWS’ state correspondent covering Massachusetts politics and government.
