Voting in the 2020 Massachusetts Primary: A Guide
Civic Duty
By: Klaire Chandler '20
The Massachusetts Primary takes place on March 3rd, 2020, and for those of you interested in participating, we’ve compiled the following list of commonly asked questions.
When does the 2020 Massachusetts’ Primary Take Place?
The Massachusetts’ Primary for both the Democratic and Republican parties will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd, commonly referred to as "Super Tuesday” as it is the same day on which over a dozen primaries will be held.
When is the last day to register to vote in the Primary?
Wednesday, February 12th by 8:00 PM is the latest you can register to vote in the Massachusetts Primary.
How can I register to Vote in the Massachusetts’ Primary?
Luckily, many of you are probably already registered to vote thanks to Massachusetts’ automatic voter registration. If you have applied for or renewed your license or state ID or applied for health insurance through MassHealth or the Commonwealth Health Connector you should be registered already, unless you opted out.
However, if you haven’t done any of those things recently (or ever) or you are unsure, then you may need to register to vote in the primary. The state of Massachusetts’ offers 3 ways to vote on their website: online, by mail, and in person.
You can register to vote online by visiting the Massachusetts State Website here and fill out the application.
To register by mail, you must also visit the website to download and print off the voter registration application, which you can then mail to your local election official.
Finally, to register in person you can visit your local election office and apply there.
In order to register to vote, the state of Massachusetts requires you to meet three criteria: you must be citizen of the United States, be 16 years old (18 to actually vote, but you can register at 16), and not be currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.
Also here at Salem State, if you visit the Office of Civic Engagement on the third floor of Meier Hall, with your driver’s license, and you know your social security number, you can register there.
What if I can’t make it to the Polls on “Super Tuesday”?
If you can’t make it to the polls on “Super Tuesday” because you are busy with class or work, don’t panic! You can always cast your vote during the designated early voting period. The early voting period for the 2020 Massachusetts’ Primary will take place between Feb. 24th and Feb. 28th.
You do not need an excuse to vote early and there will be a least one early polling location in every city and town across the Commonwealth.
Do I need to register as a member of a political party to vote in the Primary?
While registering to vote you may be asked if you would like to officially join a political party. It is your choice whether you wish to do so, however, you do not need to register as a member of a political party to vote in the Massachusetts’ Primary. Massachusetts holds semi-closed primaries, meaning that on the day of the primary you are welcome to register or change your party affiliation at the polls.
Where do I go to vote in the Primary?
Now that you’re registered it’s time to get out and vote.
Polling locations are assigned to each of the precincts in the state. When you register to vote you will receive information from your local election official detailing your polling location. You can also search for your polling location on the Massachusetts State Website, here.
Most polling locations will be open between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, however, some locations are expected to be open as early as 5:45 AM.
What if I’m not from Massachusetts but I still want to vote?
Well you have a couple of choices. You could register to vote in the state of Massachusetts using your current address, as long as you meet the criteria to register (and have some form of identification that proves you live at a Mass address); You could return home on the day of your state’s primary to vote; Or you could procure an absentee ballot for your state’s primary.
As long as you are registered to vote in your home state, and can prove that you can not make it to the polls on polling day (because you are away at school) you can request an absentee ballot.
However, be aware that different states hold different types of primaries and you will need to research your state’s process to make sure you are all set to vote. For example, my home state of Maine holds closed primaries, which means that I must register as a member of the party in whose primary I wish to vote.
Now Go Vote!
Regardless of your political party or what candidate you are voting for, it is your civic duty to get our there and make your voice heard.
We know Salem State students appreciate their right to vote, last year our campus received a Gold Seal for Excellence in Student Voter Engagement for participation in the 2018 mid-term elections as part of Tuft University’s All In Campus Democracy Challenge. We were also among the top 80 schools in the country for voter turnout (take that California Institute of Technology), so let’s keep it up and vote this primary season!