Election 2020: Reading Primary, Recall Voting Guide

READING, MA — The Massachusetts state primary is Tuesday, Sept. 1, but the election will be much different this year, thanks to the coronavirus. This year voters have the option of voting in-person on election day, as well as early voting and mail-in voting options.

The last day to register to vote for the Sept. 1 primary election was Saturday, Aug. 22. 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.

Click here to see who is on the ballot in Reading.

In addition to the primary election, Reading voters will also be asked to consider a petition to recall Select Board member Vanessa Alvarado. The petition to recall Alvarado claims she "acted to block police force ratification discussions following the Town Manager's selection of the Police Chief candidate on January 11." Voters will have the option to elect John Halsey to her seat. Click here for the ballot.

Mail-In Voting

Mail-in voting applications for the Sept. 1 primary were due Wednesday, Aug. 26. Ballots may be mailed to the Town Clerk's office or dropped in the white box in the Town Hall parking lot. The deadline to deliver a voted ballot is 8 p.m. on Election Day.

You can check the status of your ballot here.

Early Voting

Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28 are the last two days to vote early in-person. Early voting is held at the Reading Public Library in the Community Room, Basement Level, 64 Middlesex Ave.

Early voting times:

Aug. 27: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Aug. 28: 12-5 p.m.

In-Person Voting

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 1.

Find your polling place on the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.