Waltham 2020 Primary Election Guide: Races, How To Vote

WALTHAM, MA — From the normal twists and turns of any election season to the reported issues with the U.S. postal service and the pandemic, the 2020 September primary is shaping up to be 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. Kennedy has been criticized for wanting to unseat a progressive who's been largely seen as doing a good job in Congress for some 40 decades. While others have supported the possible change.

A major factor in the election is, of course, the pandemic. Early voting ends Aug. 28, but anyone in Massachusetts could vote absentee by mail this year — although uncertainty about the U.S. Postal Service has some voters nervous about that option. A Newton City Councilor filed a lawsuit asking the Secretary of the Commonwealth extend the deadline for ballots to be counted, but that was shot down by the MA High Court.

How to vote in Waltham:

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.

If you requested a mailed ballot in but haven't gotten it yet, here's how to track it. You have until Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. to get that ballot to the drop box outside city hall. It must be in their hands at that time, not post marked by that time.

Polling hours on Sept. 1, election day, run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

Neither the Green Rainbow nor the Libertarian parties have candidates running in the primary.

Questions?

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

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

Mail-In Ballots Need To Be In By Election Day: MA High Court

Tips for voters:

• Face masks are required while inside the polling location.
• Make sure to keep 6- foot from another person inside the polling location.
• Clothing that advertises a campaign is not permitted at the polling location: This includes on face masks as well as hats, shirts, buttons.
• Campaign activity, or sign holding is not permitted within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location.

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).