In-person early voting begins Saturday in Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Polling stations will be open across Massachusetts starting on Saturday for early voting in the state’s September 3rd primary.

The early voting period continues through Friday. Saturday is also the last day Massachusetts voters can register to vote or change their party registration. All Massachusetts towns and cities are required to start early voting this weekend.

James Jiles from Springfield told 22News why he votes.

“I vote because everyone says how can we make a difference and what can we do. The thing is having the right people in office, people that when you talk to them listen. We respect people and politicians that pick the phone up and get back to you, make things happen, and care about the community like we do,” said Jiles.

There is only one contested primary statewide, and that’s the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. The winner will go on to face Senator Elizabeth Warren in November. Here in western Massachusetts, there are three contested Democratic primaries for seats in the Legislature. There is a primary for the State Senate in the Hampden District, a primary for the State House of Representatives in the 11th Hampden District, and a primary for the State House in the Third Berkshire District.

Voters who applied to vote by mail, but have not yet returned a ballot can still vote in person, if they wish. Those who have already returned their mail-in ballot will be marked off on the voting list and will not be able to vote again.

Municipal election offices will offer in-person voter registration until 5 p.m. on Saturday, while online voter registrations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.

“It’s important to vote because every vote does count and if you want change in your area it is not necessarily way up top.. you have to start with your ward leaders, city council, and state senators,” said Kenyon McCollum, a voter from Springfield.

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