Massachusetts voters are gearing up for the primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 1, a pivotal moment for several high‑profile contests, including the Democratic Senate nomination. Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey and former Rep. Seth Moulton, both Democrats, have been trading remarks about turnout and polling accuracy as the campaign heats up.

Senate Candidates Emphasize Turnout

“We will get the result next Tuesday night,” Sen. Markey told reporters, underscoring his confidence in the Democratic base. Rep. Moulton, who is seeking to unseat Markey, countered that the race is fundamentally about voter participation, stating, “This is all about turnout.” Both candidates warned that recent polls have been unreliable, with Moulton noting that “every primary poll in the last three months for every primary around the country has been wildly off.”

Secretary of State Issues Voting Reminders

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin said early voting will close on Friday, Aug. 28, and urged voters to bring any mail‑in ballots to their local City or Town Hall rather than mailing them. “Do not mail, because the possibility of them being not received in time exceeds the likelihood that they will be,” Galvin explained, emphasizing the importance of timely ballot delivery.

As of now, the Secretary reported receipt of 390,070 Democratic ballots and 78,167 Republican ballots, and he anticipates a “reasonably decent turnout” on Election Day.

Ballot Distribution Issue Addressed

State Sen. Nick Collins raised concerns after voters at Condon School in his district received ballots for a different district. Galvin described the mishap as a “legitimate, good‑faith mistake” and assured the public that it would not affect the outcome of the specific race in question. Collins added, “One is an issue, two is an issue, three is a crowd. If it can happen three times, or four times in this case, we want to identify how many times did it happen.”

Registration Deadlines and General Election Outlook

Voters who missed the primary registration deadline still have a chance to register for the November general election, with the deadline set for Oct. 24. The general election will be held on Nov. 3, giving residents ample time to prepare for the next round of voting.

Local election officials continue to monitor the process closely, encouraging citizens to verify their registration status, confirm ballot locations, and participate fully in the democratic process.

What Voters Should Do Next

• Check your voter registration status online or at your town hall.
• If you have a mail‑in ballot, drop it off at a City or Town Hall before the early voting deadline.
• Stay informed about any ballot distribution updates from the Secretary of State’s office.
• Plan to vote on Sept. 1, and remember the general election deadline of Oct. 24 for registration.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.