MA State Primary Elections 2018: Where To Vote, Ballots, Results

Latest: Catch the latest results from Tuesday's State Primary Elections across Massachusetts here.

BOSTON, MA — Voter turnout for the State Primaries appeared to be healthy as of Tuesday afternoon, despite the heat and quirky date.

As of noon, voter turnout in Boston was at 33,368 - or 8.27 percent. Recent similar turnouts have resulted in more than 1 million voters statewide, reports MassINC Polling's Steve Koczela.

The heat isn't making it easy for poll workers. Another hot, humid day had election officials working to make sure they stay comfortable. And as is usually the case in Massachusetts, parking wasn't helping matters.

Massachusetts was the last state to set a date for the primaries this year, waiting until Jan. 9 to set it. State law required Secretary of State William Galvin to schedule the primary within seven days of the second Tuesday of September, which is Sept. 11, but the timing of some Jewish holidays complicated the scheduling.

You can see all the candidates for every race across the state here (Democrats,) here (Republicans,) and here (Libertarians.)

Check back throughout Election Day for the updated results from across the state. Sign up to your local Patch to get results in your town.

Some races will draw national attention, perhaps none more so than the one for the 7th congressional district, where longtime incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano is locked trying to survive Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley.

Some pundits eye the race as a referendum on how far Democrats are leaning in the wake of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez's stunning victory in New York's 14th congressional district. Pressley, who is 22 years younger than the 66-year-old Capuano, would become the Bay State's first woman of color in Congress. She is already the first black woman to serve on Boston's city council.

Tahirah Amatul-Waded is also looking to make some firsts as she challenges Rep. Richard Neal in the 1st congressional district. Amatul-Waded, a black woman, is angling to become the first Muslim to serve in the state's congress.

The race for the 3rd congressional district doesn't feature an incumbent trying to fend off hungry newcomers. Instead, 10 candidates have flooded the Democratic primary ballot to replace Rep. Niki Tsongas, who will retire.

Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Baker has challenge on the Republican side of the ballot from controversial conservative pastor Scott Lively, who has pledged himself to President Trump. Baker, wildly popular Republican governor in a deep blue state, has openly criticized the White House.

Jay Gonzalez and Robert Massie are vying for the opportunity to take Massachusetts' governor seat back for the Democrats.

Secretary of State William Galvin, who is looking for his seventh term, will face a youthful Democratic challenge in the form of 34-year-old Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim.

Three Republicans will make a move to eventually try and unseat Sen. Elizabeth Warren: State Rep. Geoff Diehl, John Kingston, and Beth Lindstrom.

When do polls open?

Voting across the Bay State opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Polling places will close at 8 p.m.

Where can I vote?

You can input your address here and it will tell you where your polling location is.

Am I registered to vote?

Check here to see if you are registered to vote. If you aren't registered yet, it's too late for Tuesday's primary. But you have until Oct. 17 to register for the general election in November. Click here to get started.

What about the ballot questions?

It appears there will be three ballot questions to vote on, but those aren't on the ballot until November.

Proposed mandatory nurse staffing levels will be Question 1 [pdf] on the ballot. That debate will pit much of the health care industry against the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Question 2 [pdf] will ask voters if they want to establish a commission to look into the impact of political spending in Massachusetts and recommendations on potential amendments to the U.S. Constitution around that subject.

Question 3 will give voters the option to repeal the transgender public accommodations law that Gov. Charlie Baker signed in 2016.

Read more about the ballot questions here.

Materials from the State House News Service were used in this report

Photo by Alison Bauter for Patch