The primary election is underway in Massachusetts and western Massachusetts residents are tasked with voting for various state representative seats as well as a heated race for the 1st Hampden District Congressional seat which pits longtime incumbent Richard Neal against political newcomer Jeromie Whalen.
For more on all of the candidates running for office in WMass see our Elections 2026 voter guide.
5 p.m. - onward:
Rachel Bukoski is a resident in South Hadley. She came out to vote Tuesday because she believes in the power of every single vote.
"It's our constitutional right," said Bukoski. "Not every country gets to vote like this. So it's extremely important to get out there and vote in all the elections."
Mary Grace Biastoff is another South Hadley resident who hopes that her voting today will bring some funding changes to the town. She also stressed the importance of voting.
"Everybody needs to vote. Everybody needs to make their voice heard. Everybody needs to participate," said Biastoff. "Otherwise you can't complain after, you need to make sure that we get [to] participate in democracy. Otherwise we're going to lose our democracy."
Rick Paiva was at the Northampton Senior Center waiting for a friend who was going to vote. He says he chose not to vote this time because he doesn't support any of the candidates.
"In our country we have a lot of homelessness and I do a lot of advocating liaison," said Paiva. "Everybody that's been in office, from Ed Markey to his counterpart to the mayor of Northampton, to the city Council, to president of the United States has not talked about homelessness at all."
Anna Terwiel lives in Northampton. She believes that showing up for any eligible election is important.
"I didn't come out because of any particular issue," said Terwiel. "Mostly because I think it's important to turn out for any election that I'm eligible to vote for."
John Adams, of Wilbraham, said he wants to support candidates that respect people as they are. He said the conduct of President Trump has turned him off of the Republican party this primary election.
"I'm looking for somebody that is more honorable, more honest, that treats everybody as a human being,
is not prejudiced," said Adams. "Typically I would've voted Republican but I voted Democrat this time."
Chuck Anderson is also from Wilbraham. He really cares about the candidates who are from the state and who have lived in the state for a long time.
"I think that people who are in office now, who are purported to live in state, who spend most of their time out of state, don't really represent me," said Anderson. "I can be in touch with someone in state who takes my best interests at heart and doesn't try to get my vote at the voting season by appearing in the state. So yes, that that part of it is extremely important to me."
William Cumpiano lives in Northampton. Today he came out to vote to protect democracy in such challenging times.
"I'm very concerned about the state of democracy and the threat right now," said Cumpiano. "And that the best thing I can do is just to show up and vote and thank the people who are voting, who are supporting the vote, who are the election officials and trying to support them also because they're under siege."
Najy Elassi is from Holyoke. She is so passionate about voting and she also stands by all progressive values.
"I just really believe in getting progressive leaders into office, voting out people who have been in office and haven't really been serving the community," said Elassi. "And Jeremy's a really good guy who really stands by those progressive values for our community. And so I'm really excited to support him and get out the vote for him."
11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Voters at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Springfield trickled in throughout the day.
Springfield resident John Morgan says he is proud to vote and has always believed voting has secured many great things in the U.S.. But, he says, the country still has a long way to go. Morgan says this year has been very tough and is hoping to see things change locally.
"Times are changing. I do believe that there is more of a demand from people who are willing to stand up and be and hold our elected officials accountable," he said.
Morgan and others say they're voting based on issues around affordability, education, and health care.
Residents in western Massachusetts have powered through some serious downpours today to vote in the state's primary election.
This season, the Democratic Party nationwide has seen longtime incumbents unseated by members of the Democratic Socialists of America. But locally, not everyone wants to see the party move so far to the left.
Chuck Andersen of Wilbraham says he's not interested in supporting any type of socialism.
"This business of socialism and all of the rest of that... give me a break. Give me a break. I'm not into that at all," he said. "Let's go back to being real democrats if we're gonna be democrats. Period."
No primary candidates in western Mass are running as socialists. Michael Lachenmeyer, challenging Angelo Puppolo for state office in the 12th Hampden District, has been endorsed by the region's DSA chapter.
10 a.m.: U.S. Rep. Richard Neal casts his vote at the Boys & Girls Club on Carew Street, in Springfield. His opponent Jeromie Whalen cast his vote at South Hadley High School at the same time.
8 a.m.: At Springfield's Forest Park Middle School the polling location was quiet with just a handful of voters casting their ballots. The sidewalk outside the school, which usually has supporters holding signs, was empty with steady rain possibly keeping people away.
In Hampshire County the Northampton Senior Center was empty with just one voter casting their ballot.
7 a.m.: Polls are now open across Massachusetts.
