MassachusettsH 4531194th General Court (2025-2026)House

An Act relative to the 2026 state primary election date

Sponsored By: House Committee on Ways and Means

Signed by Governor

House Ways and MeansHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Ballots to military and overseas voters

If you are a uniformed service member or overseas voter and your application arrived at least 45 days before the November 3, 2026 election, local officials must send your absentee ballot by Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Secretary can adjust 2026 election dates

The state secretary may add or change dates tied to nominations from the September 1, 2026 primary when needed to run the November 3, 2026 election. The secretary must notify state parties and affected people, file the notice, and post it on the secretary’s website. The secretary may also use any other appropriate way to give notice.

2026 primary date and candidate deadlines

The 2026 state primary is on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. If your name was not printed on the ballot but you earned enough votes, you must file a written acceptance and a State Ethics Commission receipt by 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Any objections to, or withdrawals from, nominations must be filed with the state secretary by 12:00 P.M. on Friday, September 4, 2026. If a nominee dies, withdraws, or is ineligible, the state party’s executive committee that made the original nomination picks the replacement. That committee must file the certificate of nomination, on the secretary’s form, by 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Fast-track recounts and ballot challenges

To start a recount of the September 1, 2026 primary, file with your local election official by 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026. District-wide and statewide petitions must be submitted for certification by 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, certified by 12:00 P.M. on Friday, September 4, 2026, and filed with the state secretary by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 4, 2026. All recounts must finish and results be sent to the state secretary by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 11, 2026. Registrars give only two days’ notice, and electronic notice is allowed. For nomination objections, the Ballot Law Commission must notify candidates by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 4, 2026, hold hearings on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and decide by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

House Committee on Ways and Means
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 30 • No: 0

committee vote • 9/16/2025

Committee In Part: H.4429 “An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects” in part, as amended