Andover and North Andover residents who want to vote in the Sept. 1 Massachusetts State Primary have until Saturday, Aug. 22 to register, update their registration or switch their party enrollment.

The deadline carries extra weight this cycle. The primary ballot includes contested races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. representative and more than a dozen other offices. In the 6th Congressional District, Rep. Seth Moulton is not seeking re-election, opening the first competitive race for the seat in over a decade, according to the Marblehead Current. Two Andover residents, Dan Koh and state Rep. Tram Nguyen, are among the Democratic candidates for the MA-6 seat.

How to register

Andover's Board of Registrars will hold extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Town Offices, 36 Bartlet St., according to Andover News. Residents can also register online at sec.state.ma.us/OVR using a valid Massachusetts driver's license or RMV-issued ID by 11:59 p.m. that day, or mail a registration form postmarked by Aug. 22.

To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 by Election Day and not currently incarcerated for a felony. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may pre-register and will be added to the rolls automatically when they turn 18.

Three ways to vote

Once registered, voters have three options:

  • Election Day: Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
  • Vote by mail: Applications must arrive by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
  • Early voting in person: Saturday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 28 at Town Offices, 36 Bartlet St.

Aug. 22 is also the first day of early voting.

In North Andover, the same statewide deadlines apply. All precincts vote on Election Day at North Andover High School, 430 Osgood St., according to the town's election page.

Unenrolled voters may request any one party's ballot. Voters enrolled in a party may vote only in that party's primary.

Verify your status

Residents can check their registration, party enrollment and polling location through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's online voter lookup or by calling the Andover Town Clerk's Office at 978-623-8230. Deputy Town Manager and Town Clerk Austin Simko oversees the office.

The next key date: vote-by-mail applications close at 5 p.m. on Aug. 25.