This Friday is the deadline to register to vote in the September 8th state primary in Massachusetts. There are several races around the western part of the state, especially in state legislative districts where incumbents aren’t seeking re-election. However, not many lawmakers are facing primaries overall.

We checked in with State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy and asked him why there are so few contested primaries this year.

Click the audio player above to hear New England Public Radio’s Henry Epp talk with Matt Murphy about the week ahead in Massachusetts politics and government.