Watch your mailbox: Applications to register for state primary mail-in ballots on the way

Registered Massachusetts voters should start checking their mailboxes for applications to register for vote-by-mail ballots for the state primary Sept. 3. These are being sent out in the coming days by the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Only registered voters who have not already applied for mail-in voting ballots will receive applications. Residents who applied for the ballots earlier in the year to vote in the presidential primaries in March will not receive applications.

“These applications will look very similar to the ones that were sent to voters in January, ahead of the presidential primaries,” said Secretary William Galvin. Unenrolled or independent voters can apply for a ballot but must indicate the party ballot of their choice. Three are available: Democrat, Republican and Libertarian. “(Voters) will only receive an application if (they) haven’t already applied or if (they) didn’t make a party selection on a previous application.”

Listed on the primary ballots are contested races for U.S. senator and representative, governor’s councillor, state senators and representatives, registrar of deeds, clerk of courts and in certain counties, county commissioner, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.

All registered voters can access the vote-by-mail option by using the applications, which are preaddressed and postage-paid. The deadline to request the ballots is Aug. 26; while voter registration closes Aug. 24, a date that coincides with the start of the state’s early in-person voting.

The applications being sent to voters will allow them to apply for either the September primary ballot as well as November’s general election ballot or both. To access the application online, visit www.VoteInMA.com.

“Of course, if you’d rather vote in person, you don’t need to send the application back. Early voting for the state primaries begins August 24th,” Galvin said.

In Worcester County there is only one primary race for a legislative seat. In the House's 7th Worcester District Rep. Paul Frost, R-Auburn, is facing a challenge from fellow Republican Michelle Frigon or Millbury.

National and statewide elections are scheduled for Nov. 5. On the ballot are electors of president and vice-presidential candidates, in addition to candidates running for state, regional and local offices. Registration for November balloting closes Oct. 26. Applications for mail-in ballots close Oct. 29.