Massachusetts has officially commenced early voting for the upcoming March 5 presidential primary, enabling residents to cast their ballots ahead of the critical Super Tuesday.
This period, which extends through the week until Friday, offers an advanced opportunity for voters to make their voices heard in one of the largest coordinated voting events in the United States, where numerous states hold primary elections and caucuses simultaneously.
To facilitate early voting, information on schedules and locations is accessible online at www.VoteInMA.com, a dedicated platform ensuring voters are well-informed about their voting options.
Additionally, for those preferring to vote by mail, the process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Completed mail-in ballots must arrive at local election offices or designated drop boxes by the end of the day on March 5 to be considered valid.
Highlighting the significance of this election period, Secretary of State William F. Galvin visited the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Roche Community Center in West Roxbury, one of the ten early voting sites in Boston.
Galvin revealed that, as of Wednesday, about 700,000 voters in Massachusetts had requested mail-in ballots, with over 200,000 having already submitted their votes.
The deadline for voter registration or updating registration details such as address or party affiliation was also set for Saturday, emphasizing the importance of readiness for the primary election. Massachusetts residents had until 11:59 p.m. online or 5 p.m. at local election offices to ensure they were registered.
For those interested in vote-by-mail, the cutoff to apply was 5 p.m. on the following Tuesday. Voters were reminded that mail-in ballots are not accepted at polling stations on Election Day but can be submitted to early voting locations by Friday or to official drop boxes by March 5.
The state also accommodates voters not affiliated with a political party, allowing them to select a party ballot at polling sites without changing their registered party status. This flexibility ensures that all residents have the opportunity to participate in the primary election of their choice.
Furthermore, provisions are in place for those who have applied for mail-in voting but decide to vote in person, whether due to not returning their mail-in ballot, their ballot not arriving at the election office, or their mail-in ballot being rejected.
On March 5, Election Day, in-person voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering a final opportunity for Massachusetts residents to contribute to the democratic process and help shape the outcome of the presidential primary election.
