Deadline for MA Primary Voters

As the Iowa caucuses kick off the voting season Thursday, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin reminds Bay State voters that they have less then two weeks to register to vote in the state's primary, scheduled to for February 5.

The registration deadline is January 16, and Galvin says it can be done by mail, although he encourages residents to sign up in person.

"The other opportunity people have...is to go to their local city or town hall," said Galvin. City and town halls will be open late to accommodate new voters.

The state's primary was moved up this year, joining 21 other states on February 5. Citing the increased importance of the state's primary, the Massachusetts League of Women Voters kicked off their voting drive early this year.

"There is every indication that this decision about who will be on the ballot in November will not be decided before February 5," said Diane Jeffery, president of the organization's Massachusetts branch. "Massachusetts voters will make a difference in this important presidential selection process."

The League of Women Voters, said Jeffery, aims to increase voter participation by providing extensive non-partisan information and to close the "participation gap", especially among 18-24 year olds, new citizens and ethnic and racial groups.

Both the Republican and Democratic primaries will take place on Tuesday, February 5.