Massachusetts Primary Sep. 6, 2022

See the statewide primary results at https://www.bostonglobe.com/

or https://commonwealthmagazine.org/.

See Needham results (when posted) on the town’s website.

Click the posts below for more about the 2022 Primary.

Voter Registration

The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation for the September 6 Primary is Saturday, August 27.

Keep in mind, however, that if you are voting by mail, you’ll need to make any necessary party changes before applying for your ballot, so you can get the ballot that you want.

Am I registered? Affiliated with a party?

Check your voter status and party affiliation at this link.

How do I register to vote?

The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website has complete information. There are online, mail-in, and in-person options for registering.

On Saturday, August 27 Needham residents can register to vote in person by visiting Needham Town Hall (9am – 5pm).

Vote by Mail

Massachusetts voters have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required. To request your Vote by Mail ballot, submit a signed application to your local election office or submit the application online (new option as of August 15).

In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead. See absentee ballot information below.

Steps to Vote by Mail (see details below, source: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleabsentee/absidx.htm)

1. Complete (be sure to sign) a Vote by Mail Application or request the ballot through the online portal (and skip step 2).
2. Deliver your application to the Needham Town Clerk
3. Vote after your ballot arrives
4. Return your ballot

Applying for your Vote by Mail Ballot

In 2022, Vote by Mail applications were mailed in July (for primary) and will be mailed in September (for general election) to every registered voter who hasn’t already requested a mail-in ballot for the fall elections. These applications will be pre-addressed to your local election office and postage pre-paid.

Vote by Mail applications can also be downloaded or printed.

Any written request with your signature is an acceptable application. You can simply write a signed letter to the Needham Town Clerk to apply for your ballot.

Applications can be submitted online or by mail, email, or fax. If you’re emailing your application, you need to sign it in a way that can be compared to your hand-written signature. Electronic signatures, scanned applications, and photos of applications are acceptable. Typed signatures cannot be accepted.

Applying for a Primary Ballot

If you’re applying for a primary ballot, and you aren’t registered in a party, you must indicate which party’s ballot you want to receive. If you don’t provide a party on your application, you will not receive a primary ballot.

Application Deadlines

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m., Monday, August 29, 2022. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached the Needham Town Clerk by the deadline.

Apply as early as possible, especially if your ballot will need to be mailed out of town. The U.S. Postal Service recommends allowing up to 7 days for mail delivery. To ensure you receive your ballot with enough time to mail it back, you should apply 2-3 weeks before Election Day.

For questions on any aspect of voting in Needham, contact the Needham Town Clerk:
Theodora K. Eaton, MMC
1471 Highland Avenue Needham, MA 02492
Phone: (781) 455-7500
Email: Teaton@needhamma.gov
Website: www.needhamma.gov

Track My Mail-In Ballot

If you submitted an application to vote by mail, you can track the status of your mail-in ballot application and ballot with this online “Track My Ballot” tool. You should be able to find your information if you have submitted an application and the Town Clerk has received it. The Tracker indicates the date the ballot was sent and the date it was received. If you do not find your name wait a few days and try again.

If you did not submit an early or absentee ballot application you will not find your name.

Absentee Ballots

To qualify for an absentee ballot, you must:

• Be away from your city/town on Election Day; or
• Have a disability that keeps you from voting at your polling place; or
• Have a religious belief that prevents you from voting at your polling place on Election Day

Absentee voters use the same ballots as early voters and have the same deadlines for returning their ballots. Most voters who qualify for an absentee ballot can choose instead to apply for an early Vote by Mail ballot. There are some times that an absentee ballot application is needed. You should fill out an absentee ballot application if:

• You are a U.S. citizen residing overseas; or
• You are on active military duty; or
• You are currently incarcerated for a reason other than a felony conviction; or
• You are requesting an emergency absentee ballot due to hospitalization.

Deadline to Apply In Person for Absentee Ballot

Last day to apply in person for an Absentee Ballot is Friday, September 2, at 12 pm (noon).

Emergency Absentee Ballots

If you have been admitted to a healthcare facility within 1 week of the election, you may use the absentee ballot application to designate someone of your choice to deliver a ballot to you. The person you designate to deliver your ballot will need to bring the signed application to your local election office, pick up your absentee ballot, bring it to you, and return it for you by the close of polls on Election Day. Emergency ballots may be requested up until the close of polls.

Military & Overseas Voters

If you are a U.S citizen residing out of the country or on active military duty, you may use the Federal Post Card Application or the Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Application to request your ballot. More information is available on our page for Voting for Military & Overseas Citizens.

Download an Application

Official Vote by Mail Application

Official Absentee Ballot Application

Early Voting In Person

Early Voting in Person for the September 6, 2022 primary will be held Saturday, August 27 – Friday, September 2. All in person early voting will be at Needham Town Hall. Enter Town Hall from one of the side doors. Specific dates and times for Needham are listed below:

Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28: 12 noon – 5pm
Monday, August 29 – Friday, September 2: 9am – 5pm

Sources for this page:

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

http://www.needhamma.gov/5245/2022-State-Primary-State-Election-Calend