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Change will help Massachusetts comply with state and federal ballot deadlines
With the support of State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus), the House has given its approval to changing the date of the 2026 state primary from September 15 to September 1. The House endorsed the change in date on September 17. The proposal, House Bill 4531, on September 18 was passed by the Senate, enacted by the Legislature and laid before Governor Maura Healey for her signature and/or other actions.
Representative Wong said that moving next year’s scheduled primary date up by two weeks will provide some flexibility to help ensure that Massachusetts can meet all state and federal ballot deadlines, including a requirement that military personnel serving overseas receive an absentee ballot at least 45 days before the November 3, 2026, state election, pursuant to the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Under current state law, the state primary must be held seven weeks prior to the biennial state election, as long as that date does not coincide with a religious holiday. The House proposal would set the new 2026 state primary date at nine weeks prior to the November election.
According to Representative Wong, H.4531 establishes a deadline of September 3 for successful write-in or sticker candidates to file an acceptance of nomination to appear on the November ballot. In addition, the bill outlines the process for filling a vacancy that occurs in the event a candidate dies, withdraws or is ruled ineligible for the November ballot.
Representative Wong noted that H.4531 also contains provisions outlining the process for conducting recounts following the 2026 state primary. It requires recount petitions to be filed by 5 p.m. on September 3, with local certification due by noontime on September 4, and submission to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. the same day. Under the bill, recounts must be completed and notification of the final results issued by 5 p.m. on September 11. The bill requires two days’ notice to candidates on the date, time and location of the recount, with electronic notice deemed sufficient.
