NEW BEDFORD — Election season is almost here, with only a few weeks to go before the statewide primary on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Democrats and Republicans will go head-to-head within their respective parties to determine who will face off in 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 races are uncontested, a couple of long-term incumbent state representatives opted not to seek re-election , guaranteeing some new faces on Beacon Hill in the next session.
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
- Democrat: incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Cambridge, no challengers
- Republican: Robert J. Antonellis of Medford, Ian Cain of Quincy and John Deaton of Swansea
U.S. Representative in the 9th District
- Democrat: incumbent Rep. Bill Keating of Bourne, no challengers
- Republican: Dan Sullivan of Plymouth, no challengers
State Senator in the 2nd Bristol & Plymouth District
- Democrat: incumbent Sen. Mark Montigny, Molly Kivi of New Bedford
- Republican: No challengers
State Representative in the 10th Bristol District
- Democrat: Mark David Sylvia of Fairhaven, no challengers (incumbent Democrat Rep. William Straus is not seeking re-election )
- Republican: Robert S. McConnell of Fairhaven, Joseph M. Pires of Rochester
Is anyone running in September with no competitor?
- 8th Bristol District state rep., Steven J. Ouellette (Dem). Incumbent State Rep. Paul Schmid III (Dem) is not seeking re-election
- 9th Bristol District incumbent state Rep. Christopher Markey (Dem)
- 11th Bristol District incumbent state Rep. Christopher Hendricks (Dem)
- 13th Bristol District incumbent state Rep. Antonio "Tony" Cabral (Dem)
- New Bedford District Register of Deeds incumbent Sherrilynn M. Mello (Dem)
- Governor’s Councilor incumbent Joseph Ferreira of Swansea (Dem)
- Clerk of Courts incumbent Jennifer Sullivan of Dartmouth (Dem)
- County commissioner incumbents John Mitchell of Fall River (Dem) and Julie Katherine Ruggiero of Somerset (Dem)
What’s the scoop with the primary races? Are there any particularly interesting contests?
Incumbent state Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett, opted earlier this year not to seek re-election to the 10th Bristol District seat he has held since 1993.
That leaves three candidates vying to become his successor in the 10th Bristol — Democrat Mark David Sylvia of Fairhaven, who is the Fairhaven town moderator — and Republicans Robert S. McConnell of Fairhaven, who chairs the Fairhaven Republican Town Committee and was defeated in the primary for this seat in the last election; and Joseph M. Pires of Rochester, who is a member of the Old Rochester District School Committee.
With no challengers, Steven J. Ouellette, vice chair of the Westport select board, is heading to Beacon Hill regardless of outcome. He will replace incumbent state Rep. Paul Schmid of Westport, who declined to run for re-election after serving in the House since 2010.
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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 is early voting in New Bedford?
Aug. 24 to 30; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Main Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., downtown
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 Standard-Times: The Mass. state primary election is set for Sept. 3. Who's running in Greater New Bedford?
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