Democratic Party primaries in Massachusetts, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 17
- Early voting: Oct. 22 - Nov. 2
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: No ID required generally
- Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on their party's ticket in the general election—can reflect internal conflict over the direction of a party.
Heading into the 2018 election, the Democratic Party sought to increase its power at the state and federal levels under the Trump administration. Its membership, however, disagreed on several major policy areas, including healthcare, free trade, education funding, a federal job guarantee, and a proposal to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[1][2]
Candidates endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee won 31 of 33 primaries in 2018.[3] Democratic Socialists of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D) primary victory over incumbent Joseph Crowley (D) in New York's 14th Congressional District was a notable victory for progressive activists.[4][5][6]
Democrats also won a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama for the first time in 30 years and flipped longtime Republican seats in the Wisconsin state Senate and Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. A record number of Republican congressional retirements also led to large Democratic fields for typically non-competitive seats.[7]
This page concerns the 2018 Democratic primary elections in Massachusetts. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.
Battleground primaries
Battleground elections are those that Ballotpedia expected would either be more competitive than other races or attract significant national attention.
- Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District election (September 4, 2018 Democratic primary)
- Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District election (September 4, 2018 Democratic primary)
- Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District election (September 4, 2018 Democratic primary)
- Massachusetts Secretary of State election, 2018 (September 4 Democratic primary)
- Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primaries, 2018
Federal elections
U.S. Senate
- Elizabeth Warren (Incumbent) ✔
U.S. House
District 1
- Richard Neal (Incumbent) ✔
- Tahirah Amatul-Wadud
District 2
- Jim McGovern (Incumbent) ✔
District 3
- Jeff Ballinger
- Alexandra Chandler
- Abhijit Das
- Rufus Gifford
- Leonard Golder
- Dan Koh
- Barbara L'Italien
- Bopha Malone
- Juana Matias
- Lori Trahan ✔
District 4
- Joseph Kennedy III (Incumbent) ✔
- Gary Rucinski
District 5
- Katherine Clark (Incumbent) ✔
District 6
- Seth Moulton (Incumbent) ✔
District 7
- Michael Capuano (Incumbent)
- Ayanna Pressley ✔
District 8
- Stephen Lynch (Incumbent) ✔
- Christopher Voehl
- Brianna Wu
District 9
- Bill Keating (Incumbent) ✔
- Bill Cimbrelo
State elections
Massachusetts Party Control: 1992-2024
Ten years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
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| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Gubernatorial election
Democratic primary candidates
Lieutenant gubernatorial election
Democratic primary candidates
Attorney general election
Democratic primary candidates
- Maura Healey (Incumbent) ✔
Secretary of state election
Democratic primary candidates
- William Galvin (Incumbent) ✔
- Josh Zakim
State legislative elections
Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Democratic caucus or had an impact on general election races.
To determine the Massachusetts state legislative Democratic primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:
- Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
- One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
- The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.
Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester Senate District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| The incumbent, state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D), resigned his seat and withdrew from the election after the filing deadline following the publication of a Senate Ethics Committee report alleging that he had improperly handled allegations of sexual harassment directed at his husband.[10] Rosenberg's only primary challenger, Chelsea Kline (D), faced three write-in candidates in the contest for the open seat. No candidates from other parties filed, meaning that the winner of the primary was guaranteed election to the state Senate in November. |
Outcome
| Write-in candidate Jo Comerford (D) defeated two other write-ins and Kline to win the Democratic nomination. Comerford received 54 percent of the vote to Kline's 41 percent. |
Sixteenth Essex District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| No |
What made this a race to watch?
Incumbent Juana B. Matias (D) did not file for re-election, instead running for the U.S. House seat in Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District. Former state Rep. Marcos Devers, whom Matias unseated in 2016, faced former state Rep. William Lantigua (D). Devers and Lantigua previously contested the seat in 2006 and 2008.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many |
Outcome
| Devers defeated Lantigua in the election for their old seat, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Lantigua's 48 percent. |
Thirty-sixth Middlesex District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| Sitting state Rep. Colleen Garry (D), who was first elected in 1994, faced Dracut School Committeewoman Sabrina Adena Heisey (D) in her first primary challenge since 2004. According to the Beacon Hill Roll Call, Garry voted alongside state House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D) 89 percent of the time in 2017, less than any other Democratic member of the state House. In an interview with the Lowell Sun, Garry said that she was representative of the district: "(Heisey's) very, very progressive, very liberal ... I'm a JFK kind of Democrat. I'm a conservative Democrat, and that's what this district is." Heisey said that Garry was not representative of the Democratic Party in 2018: "This is not 1960. This is 2018 and it's time to get with the times...We don't need any more JFK Democrats in the Statehouse."[11] Garry was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[12] |
Outcome
| Garry defeated Heisey, receiving 73 percent of the vote to Heisey's 27 percent. |
Ninth Suffolk District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| Incumbent Byron Rushing (D) was first elected to the chamber in 1982. He faced two challengers in the primary. At the time of the primary, Rushing was the fourth highest-ranking Democratic member of the state House.[13] Rushing was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[12] |
Outcome
| Rushing was unseated by challenger Jon Santiago (D), who received 48 percent of the vote to Rushing's 38 percent. |
Eleventh Suffolk District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| Incumbent Elizabeth Malia (D) was first elected to the chamber in 1998. She faced radio station founder Charles Clemons Muhammad (D) and MassCare Executive Director Ture Turnbull (D). Both Muhammad and Turnbull differed from Malia in their support for legislative leadership term limits and their statements that they would not oppose the extension of the state tax holiday. Muhammad, citing his experience as a corrections and police officer, emphasized his support for community involvement in development projects. Turnbull emphasized healthcare, stating his support for single-payer healthcare and promising to act as a counterweight to what he described as a conservative state government if elected.[14] Malia was one of eight Democratic incumbents included in state House Speaker Robert DeLeo's (D) political action committee's first round of funding.[12] |
Outcome
| Malia held on to her seat, defeating Turnbull and Muhammad. She received 66 percent of the vote to Turnbull's 18 percent. |
Fourteenth Suffolk District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| Incumbent Angelo Scaccia (D), who was first elected in 1972 and was re-elected in every election since with the exception of 1978, faced four primary challengers including activist Segun Idowu (D) and attorney Gretchen Van Ness (D). His challengers argued that Scaccia, who received an "F" rating from Progressive Massachusetts, was no longer representative of the district. According to The Bay State Banner, Scaccia was less active on the campaign trail than his challengers.[15] |
Outcome
| Scaccia defeated his primary challengers, receiving 40 percent of the vote. His closest opponent, Van Ness, received 26 percent. |
Fifteenth Suffolk District
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a race to watch?
| Incumbent Jeffrey Sanchez (D), who was first elected in 2002, faced Nika Elugardo (D), a former advisor to state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D) who has founded several local youth programs. Elguardo pointed to Sanchez's C+ rating from Progressive Massachusetts as evidence that he had lost touch with the district: "I love that Sánchez has mastered the old school game...But it’s a game we as people of color cannot afford to play. It’s a plantation model, where if you can get favor with the master, you can come into the house." Sanchez's supporters pointed to his accomplishments since taking office and his leadership position in the House: "For the first time in years we have a progressive in leadership who can come through and deliver things...I know his work. I’ve watched him do what he’s said he’s going to do."[16] |
Outcome
| Elugardo unseated Sanchez, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Sanchez's 48 percent. |
State party overview
- See also: Democratic Party of Massachusetts
State political party revenue
State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws. The following table displays the Democratic Party of Massachusetts' revenue over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. Revenue totals are broken down by account type and year. The data was compiled through publicly available state and federal campaign finance reports.
| Democratic Party of Massachusetts revenue, 2011 to 2016[17][18] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Federal account | State account(s) | Total |
| 2011 | $864,715.44 | $560,668.09 | $1,425,383.53 |
| 2012 | $3,758,272.37 | $575,016.35 | $4,333,288.72 |
| 2013 | $2,328,287.46 | $330,295.77 | $2,658,583.23 |
| 2014 | $3,079,008.55 | $3,382,236.49 | $6,461,245.04 |
| 2015 | $924,134.14 | $380,424.53 | $1,304,558.67 |
| 2016 | $4,862,696.13 | $935,350.88 | $5,798,047.01 |
Massachusetts compared to other states
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:
Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016
Primary election scheduling
Massachusetts was the only state to hold a primary election on September 4, 2018.
Voter information
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Massachusetts utilizes a semi-closed primary system. An unaffiliated voter is allowed to vote in the primary election of his or her choice.[19][20]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
In Massachusetts, most polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, municipalities may open their polls as early as 5:45 a.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[21]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Massachusetts, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Massachusetts, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.[22]
The deadline for registration is 10 days prior to the election. A voter can register online, by mail, or in person at any registration office or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A form of identification is required to register. The following are acceptable forms of identification:[22]
- Valid driver's license
- State-issued identification card
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Paystub
- Government-issued check
- Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address
Automatic registration
Massachusetts automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, division of medical assistance, health insurance connector authority, and other agencies that collect what state law defines as reliable citizenship information.[23]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Massachusetts has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.[24]
Same-day registration
Massachusetts does not allow same-day voter registration.[24]
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Massachusetts, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.[22]
Verification of citizenship
Massachusetts does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, the penalty for an illegal registration is a "fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years or both."[25]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[26] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Massachusetts does not require voters to present identification (ID) while voting, in most cases.[27]
However, voters will be asked to show ID in the following circumstances:
| “ | ” |
The following list of accepted ID was current as of August 2024:
- A driver's license
- A state ID card
- A recent utility bill
- A rent receipt or lease.
- A copy of a voter registration affidavit
- A letter from a school dormitory or housing office
- Any other printed identification which contains your name and address
| “ | Acceptable identification must include your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. Examples of acceptable identification include: a driver's license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification which contains the voter's name and address.[28] | ” |
Early voting
Massachusetts permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.
Absentee voting
Any eligible voter has the option to vote by absentee/mail-in ballot in all elections.[29]
See also
| Federal primaries in Massachusetts | State primaries in Massachusetts | Massachusetts state party apparatus | Massachusetts voter information |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
 |
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Footnotes
- ↑ CNN, "Why a 'federal jobs guarantee' is gaining steam with Democrats," April 26, 2018
- ↑ The Atlantic, "What ‘Abolish ICE’ Actually Means," July 11, 2018
- ↑ CNBC, "Despite Ocasio-Cortez upset, Democratic primaries have not gone as far left as some argue," June 28, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "There Is a Revolution on the Left. Democrats Are Bracing." July 21, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "Democrats Are Moving Left. Don’t Panic," July 23, 2018
- ↑ Time, "How Democrats in Congress Responded to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Surprise Win," June 28, 2018
- ↑ CNN, "9 Democratic primaries to watch in 2018," October 26, 2017
- ↑ MassLive, "Elizabeth Warren knocks Marisa DeFranco off ballot as 2012 Massachusetts Democratic Convention wraps up in Springfield," June 2, 2012
- ↑ Politico, "Warren delivers strong fundraising haul," July 13, 2017
- ↑ WBUR, "Embattled Former Senate President Rosenberg To Resign Following Ethics Committee Report," May 3, 2018
- ↑ Lowell Sun, "Democratic showdown in Dracut: Heisey to challenge Garry," February 10, 2018
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 The Lowell Sun, "Garry, Mom among first beneficiaries of Democratic House PAC," August 21, 2018
- ↑ WGBH, "Rep. Byron Rushing of South End, Roxbury To Face Democratic Challenger," February 6, 2018
- ↑ Jamaica Plain Gazette, "State rep forum highlights similarities and differences among candidates," June 8, 2018
- ↑ The Bay State Banner, "Challengers hit streets in 14th Suffolk District race," July 18, 2018
- ↑ The Bay State Banner, "An idealistic challenger takes on a pragmatic incumbent in J.P./Mission Hill district," June 13, 2018
- ↑ The Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance, "View Reports," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Republican State Committee and Democratic State Committee)
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate and Committee Viewer," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Massachusetts Republican Party and Massachusetts Democratic State Committee - Fed Fund)
- ↑ NCSL, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 3, 2024
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "How to Vote in a Primary," accessed October 3, 2024
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "The Voting Process," accessed April 13, 2023
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Voter Registration Information," accessed April 13, 2023
- ↑ Governing, “Automatic Voter Registration Gains Bipartisan Momentum,” accessed April 13, 2023
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 26, 2024
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Official Mail-in Voter Registration Form," accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Identification Requirements," accessed April 13, 2023
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Voting by Mail," accessed July 18, 2022
