Melrose Primary 2026 Voter Guide: Where To Vote, Races, Candidates

MELROSE, MA — Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to pick party candidates for the 2026 November election.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is challenging longtime sitting U.S. Sen. Ed Markey for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican John Deaton in the November general election.

Melrose is also home to several contested Democratic races. U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark is seeking another term representing Massachusetts' 5th Congressional District and is facing challenges from Waltham City Councilor Jonathan Paz and Cambridge resident Tarik Samman.

The retirement of longtime State Sen. Jason Lewis has also opened up the 5th Middlesex District seat. State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, of Melrose, is facing Malden City Councilors Carey McDonald and Ryan O'Malley for the Democratic nomination. The district includes Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and portions of Winchester.

Lipper-Garabedian's decision to run for Senate has opened up her 32nd Middlesex District seat in the House of Representatives. Jay Higgins, of Malden, and former Melrose City Councilor Leila Migliorelli are seeking the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidate qualified for the ballot in the district.

Democratic voters will have additional choices in the race for Governor's Council, where incumbent Terrence Kennedy is facing Diann Baylis for the 6th District nomination, and in the Middlesex County district attorney race, where incumbent Marian Ryan is facing David Solet.

Republicans will have some choices on Tuesday as well, as they prepare to challenge Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Nov. 3. North Shore businessman and combat veteran Mike Minogue is facing former MBTA chief and veteran Brian Shortsleeve for the gubernatorial nomination. Republican Shawn Oliver is the party's candidate for lieutenant governor.

How To Vote

All polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Unlike previous elections in which Melrose voters cast ballots at polling locations throughout the city, all registered Melrose voters will vote at one location for the 2026 State Primary:

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, 90 Melrose St.

RETURNING VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS

Melrose voters who have already received a mail-in ballot can return it by mailing it back in the postage-paid envelope provided, hand-delivering it to the Elections Office at City Hall, 562 Main St., or using the city's secure ballot drop box located in the alleyway between City Hall and the Melrose Post Office.

Mail-in ballots cannot be returned at the Election Day polling location.

Voters can use the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Track My Ballot tool to check the status of their ballot, including when it was mailed and returned and whether it was accepted or rejected.

Check back with your Patch throughout Election Night for updates, results and reactions.

See Also:

Tree Work Underway Ahead Of Melrose Park And Playground Renovation

Melrose Water Main Projects Expected To Affect Two Neighborhoods

Melrose Early Voting Schedule For Primary Election

Melrose Municipal Pizza Event Returning Next Month

Melrose Police Warning Residents About Phone Scam