Election season is fast approaching, with the statewide primary elections slated for Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Voters in the Democratic and Republican parties are set to narrow down the competition in each party before the Nov. 5 general election.
Registered party members will receive that party’s ballot. Unenrolled voters can pick either ballot. There are no Libertarian candidates for state offices.
Though many of the races are uncontested, a few of the races have garnered interest — some local constituents are guaranteed a new face on Beacon Hill , with potential for more.
From who's running to how to take part, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming primary:
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Who has contested races in the September state primary?
U.S. Senator
U.S. Representative in the 9th District
- Democrat: incumbent Rep. Bill Keating of Bourne, no challengers
- Republican: Dan Sullivan of Plymouth, no challengers
State Representative in the 5th Bristol District
- Democrat: incumbent state Rep. Patricia Haddad of Somerset, no challengers
- Republican: Justin Thurber of Somerset, no challengers
Register of Deeds, Fall River District
- Democrat: incumbent Bernard McDonald III of Fall River and Christopher Carreiro of Swansea
- Republican: no challengers
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Is anyone running in September with no competitor?
- 4th District U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Newton (Dem)
- 1st Bristol & Plymouth state Sen. Michael Rodrigues of Westport (Dem)
- 4th Bristol District state Rep. Steven Howitt of Seekonk (Rep)
- 6th Bristol District state Rep. Carole Fiola of Fall River (Dem)
- 7th Bristol District state Rep. Alan Silvia of Fall River (Dem)
- State Representative in the 8th Bristol District Steven Ouellette of Westport (Dem)
- Governor’s Councilor Joseph Ferreira of Swansea (Dem)
- Clerk of Courts Jennifer Sullivan of Dartmouth (Dem)
- County commissioners John Mitchell of Fall River and Julie Katherine Ruggiero of Somerset (Dem)
What’s the scoop with the primary races? Are there any particularly interesting contests?
Warren is running for her third term in the Senate. Deaton, one of her Republican challengers , moved from Barrington, Rhode Island, to Swansea shortly before announcing his candidacy; he is a cryptocurrency advocate and lawyer.
With no challengers, Ouellette, chair of the Westport select board, is heading to Beacon Hill regardless of outcome. He will replace incumbent state Rep. Paul Schmid, who declined to run for re-election .
McDonald is facing an opponent for Register of Deeds for the first time since 1994 , when he was first elected to the post. At that time, the race was hotly contested. McDonald led the pack of 10 Democratic candidates in the primary; in the general election, he beat a Republican challenger and four unenrolled candidates.
His challenger in the Democratic primary, Carreiro, served on the Swansea Board of Selectmen for nearly nine years. He declined to run for re-election in that town to focus on the Register of Deeds position. The job is a six-year term.
Where do I vote in the state primary?
To find your polling place, visit the Secretary of State’s website at wheredoivotema.com and input your address.
Is there still time to register to vote in the state primary?
Yes. The deadline to register is Saturday, Aug. 24.
Can I vote by mail in the state primary?
Yes . The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Monday, Aug. 26.
How do I return a mail ballot?
If you get a mail ballot, follow the instructions to fill it out and secure it in the provided envelope. You can drop it in any mailbox or at your city or town hall . It must be received by Sept. 3 to be counted.
When are the polls open on primary day?
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: The Mass. state primary election is set for Sept. 3. Who's running in Greater Fall River?
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