Boston began casting ballots last weekend in the Sept. 1 state primary, with early voting opening on Saturday at locations across the city, including sites in Dorchester and Mattapan.
According to city Election officials, 2,262 voters took advantage of the early vote opportunities across the city on Saturday and Sunday.
Early voting will run through Friday (Aug. 28), with 17 locations available over the course of the week, including Boston City Hall. During early voting, Boston residents can cast their ballots at any early-voting site in the city, regardless of their normal Election Day polling place.
The first weekend included two neighborhood locations serving Dorchester and Mattapan—Mildred Avenue Community Center and the Richard J. Murphy School. Both were open on Saturday, and Sunday (Aug. 22, 23).
Two additional Dorchester sites will operate next week. The Perkins Community Center, 155 Talbot Ave., will be open on Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m., while Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St., will host early voting on Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
Boston City Hall’s Haymarket Room will be open to voters throughout the work week: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
While many incumbents are running without primary opposition, several competitive contests will appear on Democratic ballots in Dorchester and Mattapan. At the top is a Democratic primary for US Senate, where incumbent Ed Markey faces Congressman Seth Moulton.
Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will both appear on the Sept. 1 ballot, but are running unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Michael Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve are competing for the gubernatorial nomination and the chance to challenge Healey-Driscoll in November. Other constitutional officers — including Attorney General Andrea Campbell— do not have primary opponents.
Boston voters are divided between two congressional districts. In the 7th District, Rep. Ayanna Pressley— who represents most of Dorchester and Mattapan— is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while in the 8th District, Rep. Stephen Lynch faces a primary challenge from Patrick Roath. Lynch’s seat includes significant chunks of Dorchester’s wards 13, 16, and 17, including Neponset, Savin Hill, and part of Lower Mills.
One of the most closely watched local contests is for Suffolk County district attorney, where incumbent Kevin Hayden is being challenged by Linda Champion and former Suffolk DA and US Attorney Rachael Rollins.
Some Dorchester voters will also see a contested race for the First Suffolk state Senate district, where incumbent Nick Collins faces challengers Latoya Gayle and Juwan Skeens. In the Second Suffolk Senate district, incumbent Liz Miranda is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
In the House of Representatives, Democratic incumbents Brandy Fluker Reid in the 12th Suffolk, Dan Hunt in the 13th Suffolk, David Biele in the Fourth Suffolk, and Rob Consalvo in the 14th Suffolk are all unopposed in the primary. Also running unopposed, but appearing on the ballot, will be Suffolk County Register of Probate Stephanie L. Everett.
Dorchester and Mattapan Democratic primary voters will also see the Fourth District Governor’s Council race between incumbent Christopher A. Iannella Jr. and Ronald Primo Iacobucci on the Sept. 1 ballot.
Polls will be open across the city on Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information on your polling location, go online to the Secretary of State’s office: sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote.
