Election 2020: How To Cast A Mail-In Ballot In Waltham

WALTHAM, 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 is Saturday Aug. 22. The former Bright School will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m on that day to accept last-minute voter registrations.

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

Waltham officials began sending out mail-in ballots to voters who had requested them last week.

Read more: Waltham Voting-By-Mail Ballots Being Sent Out: What To Know

The city will accept requests for mail-in ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Once you get the mail-in ballot, you can complete it and put it in the U.S. mail or it can be hand delivered and placed in the ballot drop box located behind City Hall.

Here's the link to the 2020 Vote by Mail Application. In either case, officials recommend voters get their ballots in as early as possible.

Early Voting

Early voting runs from Aug. 22 through Aug. 28.

All early-voting will be done at the former Bright School, 260 Grove St. Residents can register to vote for the November election there (it is now the Rosario "Russ" Malone Archives and Records Center) during early voting from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. up until Aug. 22.

Early voting hours:

In-Person Voting

Polling hours on election day run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on primary day.

Polling locations are determined by Ward and precinct:

What's on the ballot?

Democratic primary ballot includes races for a spot on the November ballot for senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, senator in general court, representative in general court for both the ninth and tenth Middlesex districts.

Sen. Edward Markey is vying to keep his seat in Congress, as Rep. Joe Kennedy III challenges him in what has been a close race.

In the Tenth Middlesex District Newton City Councilor Alison Leary is challenging incumbent Rep. John Lawn Jr. for his seat.

No one is challenging Third Middlesex District Sen. Michael J. Barrett for his seat on the Democratic ticket, nor is anyone challenging Rep. Tom Stanley for his position as a representative in state legislature in the Ninth Middlesex District, or Rep. Katherine Clark for her seat in Congress.

The Republican primary includes a race for a spot on the November ballot as the Republican contender for senator in Congress. Shiva Ayyadurai, of Belmont, and Kevin J O'Connor, of Dover, are vying for their names to be on the ticket.

In the Fifth District no one is challenging Caroline Colarusso to represent the Republicans in the Fifth District for a spot on the November election ballot.

Questions?

Contact the City Clerk’s office at 781-314-3120

Read more:

Waltham Voting-By-Mail Ballots Being Sent Out: What To Know

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.