Massachusetts Heads to the Polls in 2026: What You Need to Know

Coin from Ancient rome with a citizen casting a ballot for a democratic election

Massachusetts residents will have two major dates to circle on their calendars this year, as the Commonwealth holds its State Primaries on September 1, 2026, followed by the State Election on November 3, 2026. Together, the two elections will determine who represents Massachusetts in Washington and on Beacon Hill for the next term, from the U.S. Senate seat all the way down to local district attorneys.

Here's a rundown of what's on the ballot, key deadlines, and how the state's primary system works — straight from the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

What's on the Ballot

Both elections will feature a long list of statewide and local offices, including:

  • U.S. Senator
  • U.S. Representative
  • Governor and Lieutenant Governor
  • Attorney General
  • Secretary of State
  • Treasurer
  • Auditor
  • Governor's Councillor
  • State Senator
  • State Representative
  • District Attorney
  • Register of Probate
  • County Commissioner and County Treasurer (in certain counties)
  • Sheriff of Franklin County (to fill a vacancy)

The November ballot will also include additional local offices that vary by community.

Key Dates to Remember

State Primaries — September 1, 2026

  • Voter registration deadline: August 22
  • Vote by Mail application deadline: 5 p.m., August 25
  • Early voting period: August 22–28
  • Polls open: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

State Election — November 3, 2026

  • Voter registration deadline: October 24
  • Vote by Mail application deadline: 5 p.m., October 27
  • Early voting period: October 17–30
  • Polls open: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

How Primaries Work in Massachusetts

Primaries exist so that political parties can choose their nominees ahead of the general election. Massachusetts currently recognizes two parties — the Democratic Party and the Republican Party — and each holds its own separate primary, with its own ballot listing only that party's candidates. Independent, or "non-party," candidates don't appear on primary ballots at all; they go straight to the general election in November.

You don't have to belong to a party to vote in a primary. Every registered voter in Massachusetts can participate. The rules depend on how you're currently registered:

  • If you're registered as Unenrolled ("Independent") or under a political designation, you can choose either party's ballot on primary day.
  • If you're already registered with a party, you can only vote that party's primary ballot.
  • If you want to switch parties to vote in a different primary, you'll need to update your voter registration at least 10 days before the primary.

At the polls: Unenrolled voters simply request a party ballot when they check in — doing so does not enroll them in that party. Once you've made your selection and it's recorded, you can't change it, so it's worth reviewing the specimen ballots posted at your polling place beforehand.

Voting by mail: If you're not enrolled in a party, be sure to select one on your Vote by Mail application. Skipping that step means you won't receive a primary ballot at all.

A few other things worth knowing: Massachusetts doesn't allow you to vote in more than one party's primary, and candidates from different parties can't appear together on the same ballot. Write-in votes are allowed, but they count toward that party's nomination — so writing in a Republican candidate on your Democratic primary ballot casts a vote for that person to win the Democratic nomination, not the Republican one.

Where to Get More Information

Voters can check their registration status, confirm their party enrollment, or register to vote online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. For full details, visit:

With registration deadlines just weeks away for the September primary, now is a good time for Massachusetts voters to check their status and make a plan to vote.


 

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