Voting Options for the September 1, 2026 State Primary

The State Primary will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 . Below is an overview of key information: voter registration, voting by mail, voting early in-person, voting on Election Day, and specimen ballots for the State Primary.

Voter Registration

Check your voter registration status

For Cambridge residents not already registered, the last day to register to vote is Saturday, August 22, 2026. The Election Commission office at 689 Massachusetts Ave will be open for in-person registration from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Online voter registration is available until 11:59 p.m. on August 22nd. Individuals may use the online system to register to vote, update their address or change their party affiliation. You must have a valid driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to submit a registration online. If you do not have an RMV ID you can use the system to fill out a registration form. Print and sign the completed form and mail or bring it to the office of the Cambridge Election Commission. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by August 22.

For more information, visit the Voter Registration page.

Voting Early by Mail

The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail application for a mailed ballot for the Municipal Election is Tuesday, August 25, 2026 by 5 p.m.

1. Apply online or complete a Vote by Mail Application. Applications can be sent by:

• Email to [email protected] (scan or take a photo of your application - no typed signatures)
• Mail or hand deliver to Election Commission, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
• Fax to (617) 349-4366

2. Vote when your ballot arrives

3. Return your ballot to the Cambridge Election Commission by mail, in-person, or by drop box.

Only the main drop box located at 689 Massachusetts Ave will be open on Election Day. Satellite drop boxes will be closed at 8 p.m. the day before the Election. For the 2026 State Primary, all drop boxes will open starting on Monday, August 10th and will be open 24 hours a day.

View Map of Drop Box Locations

The deadline to return a Vote by Mail ballot is Tuesday, September 1, 2026 by 8 p.m. (Election Day)

If you have already applied, you can check the status of your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com

For more information, visit the Vote by Mail page.

Voting Early in Person

Visit any of the three (3) early voting locations offered in Cambridge during the period of Saturday, August 22, 2026 to Friday, August 28, 2026 for the State Primary. Click here for a schedule with the times and locations.

The last day to vote early in-person will be Friday, August 28, 2026 at 12 p.m. (noon).

Please be advised that once a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on Election Day.

Voting on Election Day

Voting on Election Day will still be available for those who may want to vote at the polls. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. You must vote at the polling location where you are registered.

Your polling location may have changed. Please double check your polling location before going to vote. To find your polling location and precinct information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/pollinglocations. Before election day, voters will receive a Voter Notification Card with information regarding your polling place. Signage will also be posted to help voters find their polling sites.

POLLING LOCATION CHANGES FOR STATE PRIMARY, SEPTEMBER 1^ST

WARD 1 PRECINCTS 2 & 2A
WARD 5 PRECINCT 2

Voters located in Ward 1 Precincts 2 & 2A, and Ward 5 Precinct 2 please be advised that your polling location, if you choose to vote in-person on Election Day for the upcoming State Primary, September 1, 2026, will be located at:

MIT WELCOME CENTER
292 MAIN STREET

Your polling location will NOT be MIT Kresge Auditorium, 70 Massachusetts Avenue.

POLLING LOCATION CHANGES FOR THE 2026 STATE PRIMARY AND STATE GENERAL ELECTIONS

WARD 3 PRECINCT 2

Voter located in Ward 2 Precinct 2 please be advised that your polling location, if you choose to vote in-person on Election Day for both the State Primary, September 1, 2026, and the State Election, November 3, 2026, elections held in the upcoming State

SAINT BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH
243 HARVARD AVENUE

Your polling location will NOT be Moses Youth Center, 243 Harvard Street.

You will receive a Polling Notification Card in the mail before Election Day, including information about your ward, precinct or polling location. Please contact this office or go to www.cambridgema.gov/pollinglocations for more information. Please be advised that all postings and notifications will be completed as required.

Primary Information

If you are registered as a Democrat or Republican, you may only vote in that party's primary. If you are unenrolled (no party) or registered in a political designation, you can choose which party ballot you would like to vote at the primary. This choice will not change your voter registration.

Offices on the ballot:

• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representative
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• Treasurer
• Auditor
• Governor's Councillor
• State Senator
• State Representative
• District Attorney
• Register of Probate

List of Candidates in Cambridge Precincts (PDF)

Your sample ballot is based on the ward and precinct where you are registered. To view sample ballots for both parties, please enter your voter registration information here.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.