Massachusetts, Alaska Primaries See Low Turnout

Voter turnout for upcoming state primaries in Massachusetts is projected at around 15%, significantly higher than previous years but still low due to a lack of competitive races. Secretary of State William Galvin anticipates over 750,000 total votes, attributing the engagement partly to the popularity of mail-in voting. In Alaska, the recent primary election turnout is reported to be among the lowest in 50 years, with only about 17.5% of registered voters participating, a situation exacerbated by a lack of contested races and ballot measures. The open primary system in Alaska allows four candidates to advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation, with the top candidates including Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. In Hawaii, primary election turnout has reached a historic low of 32.3%, reflecting a trend of declining voter engagement, despite efforts to encourage participation through mail-in ballots and same-day registration. These trends highlight the varying levels of voter engagement across states amid differing electoral dynamics and candidate competitiveness.