What to expect in the Massachusetts state primary

Key Points:

• Massachusetts Democrats face a key primary election Tuesday, with incumbent progressive U.S. Sen. Ed Markey challenged by moderate U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton for a third full Senate term, highlighting the ongoing progressive vs. moderate divide within the party.
• Markey, age 80, has strong backing from prominent progressives including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, while Moulton, 47, is supported by moderate Democrats and The Boston Globe, making this a high-profile contest between experience and youth.
• The primary also includes competitive races for the U.S. House, governor, and various state and local offices, with notable contests such as the 6th Congressional District race to replace Moulton featuring candidates with significant endorsements and fundraising.
• Voter turnout and early voting trends from previous elections indicate significant participation, with about 57% of Democratic primary votes cast early or by mail in 2022; as of Thursday before the primary, nearly 468,000 ballots had already been submitted.
• The Associated Press will provide ongoing coverage and declare winners only when outcomes are mathematically certain, with no automatic recounts in Massachusetts but candidates eligible to request recounts under specific conditions.