Peabody 2020 Primary Election Guide: Races, How To Vote

PEABODY, MA — From the pandemic to the twists and turns of the U.S. Senate race, the 2020 September primary is going to be yet another interesting election in Massachusetts.

The marquee race this year is between incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III. The reason why Kennedy wants to unseat a progressive who's been in Congress for 40-plus years is a little unclear, depending on how close you are to Hyannis Port.

But Democratic voters on the North Shore have another important race to consider: Rep. Seth Moulton is facing two primary challengers: Jamie Zahlaway Belsito and Angus McQuilken, both of Topsfield.

Previously on Patch:

• Moulton Has Upper Hand In Fundraising Ahead Of Primary
• Challengers Attack Moulton's Record With Pelosi In Second Debate
• Moulton: Rift With Pelosi In Past

Another factor in the election is, of course, the pandemic. Early voting is happening through Aug. 28, but anyone in Massachusetts can vote absentee by mail this year — although uncertainty about the U.S. Postal Service has some voters nervous about that option.

You can check your voting status on the Secretary of State's Website. You can also use the Website to find your polling place. If you missed the deadline to register to vote, make sure you register for future elections.

Vote By Mail

If you are voting by mail, your ballot needs to be returned to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot has passed for Tuesday's primary. If you requested a mail-in ballot and have not received it yet, you can track your ballot on the Secretary of State's Website.

Completed mail-in ballots can be returned using the postage-paid envelope that comes with your ballot, or by dropping them off at the clerk's office.

Early Voting

Early voting runs from Aug. 22 through Aug. 28. All early-voting is done at Higgins Middle School, 85 Perkins Street. Earl-voting hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on every day of the early-voting period.

In-Person Voting

Polling hours on election day run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city has changed polling locations this year to allow for social distancing:

• Ward 1: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 BROWN SCHOOL, 150 LYNN STREET
• Ward 2: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 WELCH SCHOOL, 50 SWAMPSCOTT AVENUE
• Ward 3: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 TORIGIAN SENIOR CENTER, 75R CENTRAL STREET
• Ward 4: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL, 85 PERKINS STREET
• Ward 4: Precinct 3A MacINTOSH CLUBHOUSE, 300 BROOKSBY VILLAGE DRIVE, 1ST FLOOR
• Ward 5: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 PEABODY VETS. MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL, 485 LOWELL STREET
• Ward 6: Precincts 1, 2 & 3 BURKE SCHOOL, 127 BIRCH STREET

Dave Copeland covers the North Shore for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).