Concord residents who want to vote in the Sept. 1 state primary have until 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, to register or change their party enrollment, Town Clerk Kaari Mai Tari told The Concord Bridge.

The deadline matters for unenrolled voters, too. In Massachusetts, unenrolled (independent) voters may cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary, but anyone switching party affiliation must update their registration by the Aug. 22 cutoff.

How to vote

Residents have three options beyond Election Day itself:

  • Early in-person voting begins Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Town House, 22 Monument Square, and continues Monday, Aug. 24, through Friday, Aug. 28.
  • Vote-by-mail requests must reach the clerk's office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25. Completed mail ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. Mai Tari urged voters to send ballots early.
  • Election Day voting is Tuesday, Sept. 1, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What's on the ballot

Multiple contested races are driving what Mai Tari expects could be higher-than-usual turnout. Predicting participation is "always hard," she said, but "there could be an increase."

On the Democratic side, incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey faces Rep. Seth Moulton. Closer to home, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan is challenged by David Marc Solet, and Governor's Council incumbent Mara Dolan, a Concord resident, faces Margie Palladino in the District 3 race. In the 5th Congressional District, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark faces challengers Jonathan Paz and Tarik Samman.

Republicans will choose between Michael Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve for the gubernatorial nomination, according to WGBH. Incumbent Gov. Maura Healey is unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

What Lexington voters should know

The contested Senate, governor's council, district attorney and congressional races all appear on Lexington ballots as well. The statewide registration and vote-by-mail deadlines apply in Lexington, though early voting locations and hours are set by each municipality. Lexington's specific early voting site and hours were not yet available at publication.

Concord voters can check registration status and request mail ballots at concordma.gov/2341/AbsenteeEarly-Voting-in-Concord or contact the Town Clerk's office at 22 Monument Square. Lexington voters should contact the Lexington Town Clerk for early voting details.