Salem 2020 Primary Election Guide: Races, How To Vote

SALEM, MA — From the pandemic to the twists and turns of the U.S. Senate race, the 2020 September primary is going to be yet 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. The reason why Kennedy wants to unseat a progressive who's been in Congress for 40-plus years is a little unclear, depending on how close you are to Hyannis Port.

But Democratic voters on the North Shore have another important race to consider: Rep. Seth Moulton is facing two primary challengers: Jamie Zahlaway Belsito and Angus McQuilken, both of Topsfield.

Previously on Patch:

• Moulton Has Upper Hand In Fundraising Ahead Of Primary
• Challengers Attack Moulton's Record With Pelosi In Second Debate
• Moulton: Rift With Pelosi In Past

Another factor in the election is, of course, the pandemic. Early voting is happening through Aug. 28, but anyone in Massachusetts can vote absentee by mail this year — although uncertainty about the U.S. Postal Service has some voters nervous about that option.

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

If you are voting by mail, your ballot needs to be returned to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot has passed for Tuesday's primary. If you requested a mail-in ballot and have not received it yet, you can track your ballot on the Secretary of State's Website.

Completed mail-in ballots can be returned using the postage-paid envelope that comes with your ballot, or by returning them to the clerk's office.

Early Voting

Early voting runs from Aug. 22 through Aug. 28. All early-voting is done at the City Hall Annex at 98 Washington Street, 1st floor. Parking will be available in the Sewall Street Parking Lot (YMCA Lot).

Early voting hours are:

• Saturday, Aug. 22: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 23: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 24: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 25: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 26: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 27: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 28: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In-Person Voting

Polling hours on election day run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city has changed polling locations for this year's election to allow for social distancing:

WARD ONE

• 1 - 1 BENTLEY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 25 MEMORIAL DRIVE \
• 1 - 2 SALTONSTALL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 211 LAFAYETTE STREET

WARD TWO

• 2 - 1 COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER, 401 BRIDGE STREET
• 2 - 2 COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER, 401 BRIDGE STREET

WARD THREE

• 3 - 1 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 77 WILLSON STREET
• 3 - 2 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 77 WILLSON STREET

WARD FOUR

• 4 - 1 WITCHCRAFT HEIGHTS SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 1 FREDERICK STREET
• 4 - 2 WITCHCRAFT HEIGHTS SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 1 FREDERICK STREET

WARD FIVE

• 5 - 1 SALTONSTALL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 211 LAFAYETTE STREET
• 5 - 2 SALTONSTALL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 211 LAFAYETTE STREET

WARD SIX

• 6 – 1 BATES SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 53 LIBERTY HILL AVENUE
• 6 – 2 BATES SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 53 LIBERTY HILL AVENUE

WARD SEVEN

• 7 - 1 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL, LIBRARY MAIN FLOOR, 77 WILLSON STREET
• 7 - 2 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL, LIBRARY MAIN FLOOR, 77 WILLSON STREET

Dave Copeland covers the North Shore for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).