Unions don’t leave power on the table.
Just as we bring collective power to the bargaining table and to our communities, it’s important that we wield our power through our vote—at the local, state, and federal level.
As recent years have shown, elections have consequences that directly impact our workplaces, our families, and the communities we serve.
This voter guide provides all the resources AFT Massachusetts members need to cast our ballots and ensure our vote is counted in the September 2026 State Primary!
Power isn’t given to us. We have to take it. Make a plan to vote TODAY.
In this guide you’ll find:
- Key dates for voting
- How to ensure your registration is ready & active
- Key resources for making a plan to vote on or before election day
- Our endorsed candidates for federal & state office
- Opportunities to mobilize with AFT Massachusetts!
Thank you for being a voter and voting in solidarity with AFT Massachusetts! When we fight—WE WIN!
8/22: Deadline to Register to Vote or Update Registration
8/22-8/28: Primary Election Early Voting Period
8/25 at 5pm: Deadline to Apply to Vote by Mail (We recommend applications be mailed as soon as possible to give adequate time to receive and mail back your ballot)
9/1: State Primary Election Day! All polls open from 7am-8pm (Please note, all mail-in ballots must be received by 8pm on Election Day)
Ensure your registration is ready and active:
- Register to vote
- Check the status of your registration
- Update address or party affiliation
- Update name (Important if you’ve recently changed your name with the RMV!)
Make a Plan – Voting before the September 1 Primary:
- Vote by mail (available to most people)
- Vote early (in-person early voting offered in your community)
- Vote absentee (check here to see if you should vote absentee instead of by mail)
- Find your local ballot dropbox
- Track your mail-in ballot
Make a Plan – Voting In-Person on the September 1 Primary:
- Find your polling place (Note: All polling places must be open from 7:00am-8:00pm. As long as you are in line at your polling place by 8pm, you have the right to cast your vote. Stay in line!)
- Preview your ballot! Complete the state’s Voter Registration Status form to confirm you’re registered and preview each party’s primary ballot for your district.
Looking Ahead – November Election:
This year’s General Election will feature a host of ballot questions, please begin to read up on these important questions now. Check out the AFT MA Ballot Question Guide for a full breakdown of key ballot questions!
Ed Markey (D)
U.S. Senate - Candidate for Re-Election
Patrick Roath (D)
U.S. Congress, MA-08
Marjorie Decker (D)
State Representative, 25th Middlesex District - Candidate for Re-Election
John Drinkwater (D)
State Representative, 17th Middlesex District
Lisa Field (D)
State Representative, 3rd Bristol District - Candidate for Re-Election
Jim Hawkins (D)
State Representative, 2nd Bristol District - Candidate for Re-Election
Tara Hong (D)
State Representative, 18th Middlesex District - Candidate for Re-Election
Chris Lambton (D)
State Representative, 1st Barnstable District
Joseph Markey (D)
State Representative, 20th Middlesex District
Jim O'Day (D)
State Representative, 14th Worcester District - Candidate for Re-Election
Angelo Puppolo, Jr. (D)
State Representative, 12th Hampden District - Candidate for Re-Election
AFT MA Activist List
Want to get more involved with AFT Massachusetts? Join the Activist List to get opportunities to take collective action and show up for public education, justice, and our labor champions this election season. You’ll hear about in-person events, text and phone banks, webinars, and more. If you’re looking for more opportunities to make a difference in this fall’s elections, the Activist List is the space for you! Sign up to join at tinyurl.com/AFTMA-Activist.
AFT MA Mobilize
Your one-stop-shop for upcoming AFT Massachusetts phone banks and electoral actions this fall, plus other spaces where we’re gathering to take action as a union. Check it out at www.mobilize.us/aftma!
You & Who? Voter Registration Pledge
An important way to amplify our power is to make sure our families, housemates, and loved ones are ALL registered to vote and ready to cast pro-labor, pro-education, pro-democracy votes this fall. Take the pledge to help your loved ones are registered and ready at ma.aft.org/voter-reg.
AFT Massachusetts Linktree
Find links to upcoming action and key union resources at linktr.ee/aftma.