Early Voting for Massachusetts Primary Kicks off in Eastie

 The City of Boston Election Department kicked off ‘Early Voting’ in East Boston for the Massachusetts Primary over the weekend at East Boston High School 

In Eastie, voters will head to the polls on Sept. 1 during the state primary and cast ballots for Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor’s Councillors, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, and Register of Probate.

However, voters were able to cast early ballots at East Boston High on Saturday and Sunday and hundreds of registered voters did so over the weekend. 

Eastie voters can continue to vote early through Friday, Aug. 28 at Boston City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday. 

In Eastie, voters will make their choice for Massachusetts U.S. Senate between incumbent U.S. Senator Ed Markey or Congressman Joseph Kennedy III. Republican Shiva Ayyadurai is running against Kevin O’Connor on the Repulican side and the primary winner will face either Markey or Kennedy in the General Election. 

U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is running unopposed and there will be no Republican challenger for the General Election in the Massachusetts 7th District. 

Also running unopposed is State Rep. Adrian Madaro and State Sen. Joseph Boncore. 

Incumbent Suffolk County Register of Probate Felix Arroyo will square off against Kerby Roberson in the state primary and incumbent representing the Massachusetts 6th District on the Governor’s Council Terrence Kennedy will take on Helina Fontes. 

On Saturday, Kennedy stopped by early voting at East Boston High as part of several pop-up events to greet voters outside early voting locations throughout the Commonwealth. Kennedy cast his own ballot early alongside his wife Lauren in his hometown of Newton before heading over to Eastie. Kennedy also visited early voting locations in Worcester, Roxbury, Quincy, Weymouth, and Brockton. 

Due to COVID-19, health and safety protocols during the early voting period and on Election Day will be implemented at polling locations. All poll workers will receive face shields, face masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer. Cleaning will take place at each site every two to three hours. Voters waiting in line will be instructed to stand six feet away from others and wear a face covering. 

Ballots will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Language assistance will be available on Election Day by translators at polling locations or by contacting the Election Department’s translation phone bank.  

For more information on how to participate in this year’s elections, please visit boston.gov/election.

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