Politics & Government
Malden 2026 Election Voter Guide: Candidates, Ballot Questions And Where To Vote
Here is everything that voters need to know before casting a ballot.
MALDEN, MA — Election Day is approaching, and Malden voters will face a lengthy ballot with federal, statewide, and local district races.
The Massachusetts state election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3. Malden residents will vote for governor, U.S. senator, state legislators, and other offices, along with nine statewide ballot questions. Here is what Malden voters need to know before casting a ballot.
When Is Election Day?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Malden polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote, according to the Massachusetts Elections Division. The voter registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 24. Residents can register, update an address, or check their registration through VoteInMA. In-person registration closes at 5 p.m., while online registration remains available until 11:59 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Maldenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Where Do I Vote?
Election Day voters must use the polling location assigned to their home address. Residents should confirm their location before heading out.
The city’s election information page provides polling-place information and links to the state’s Where Do I Vote? lookup, where residents can confirm their polling location and view their sample ballot.
Find out what's happening in Maldenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Early Voting
Early in-person voting will begin Saturday, Oct. 17. Malden’s posted schedule lists voting dates through Thursday, Oct. 29, with most sessions held in the first-floor lobby of Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St.
According to the city’s posted schedule, voting hours will be:
- Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 17–18 and Oct. 24–25: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 19, Oct. 21–22, Oct. 26 and Oct. 28–29: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Oct. 20 and Oct. 27: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 23: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Malden Police Station, 800 Eastern Ave.
The police station will serve as the early-voting location on Oct. 23 only. The city’s posted schedule does not list hours for Friday, Oct. 30.
Registered Malden voters may use the early-voting sites regardless of their assigned Election Day polling location. No application is needed to vote early in person.
Voting By Mail
The deadline to request a mail-in or mailed absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Applications must reach the local election office by that time. Residents may apply online through VoteInMA or submit an application to the Malden City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 215 Pleasant St., Room 220.
Completed ballots may be returned by mail, delivered to the City Clerk’s Office, or placed in secure ballot drop boxes at:
- Malden City Hall: 215 Pleasant St.
- Malden Police Station: 800 Eastern Ave.
Ballots cannot be dropped off at an Election Day polling place.
Ballots returned in person or by drop box must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots returned by domestic mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and arrive by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
Voters can also track a mail-in ballot online.
Who Is On The Ballot?
The following candidates will appear on Malden ballots, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s certified candidate list. The city provides sample ballots for its three state House districts on its election information page.
U.S. Senate: Edward J. Markey (D); John Deaton (R); Shiva Ayyadurai (I); Joe Tache (Socialism and Liberation).
Governor And Lieutenant Governor: Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll (D); Michael Minogue and Shawn Oliver (R); Andrea James and Kayla Kittredge (I).
Attorney General: Andrea Joy Campbell (D); Michael C. Walsh (R).
Secretary Of The Commonwealth: William Francis Galvin (D); Anne R. Brensley (R).
State Treasurer: Deborah B. Goldberg (D); Elizabeth Dionne (R).
State Auditor: Diana DiZoglio (D); Al Ozonoff (Libertarian).
U.S. House, 5th Congressional District: Katherine M. Clark (D).
Governor’s Council, 6th District: Terrence W. Kennedy (D).
State Senate, 5th Middlesex District: Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D).
The state House contest depends on the voter’s address.
State House, 32nd Middlesex District: Leila Bhatti Migliorelli (D).
State House, 33rd Middlesex District: Steven Ultrino (D).
State House, 35th Middlesex District: Paul J. Donato (D); James C. Seibel (R).
Northern District Attorney: Marian T. Ryan (D).
Middlesex County Register Of Probate: Tara E. DeCristofaro (D); Tara Martorella (Justice for All).
Voters can use the state’s sample-ballot lookup to see exactly which district races will appear on their ballot.
Ballot Questions
Massachusetts voters will decide nine binding statewide questions, the most ever placed on a Massachusetts ballot, according to the official 2026 voter guide.
Question 1: Public Records. A yes vote would place most records held by the governor’s office and Legislature under the state Public Records Law. A no vote would leave the current law unchanged.
Question 2: Public Defender Employees. A yes vote would specify that Committee for Public Counsel Services employees may unionize and collectively bargain. A no vote would leave the current labor law unchanged.
Question 3: State Primaries. A yes vote would replace party primaries for state offices with a single all-party primary, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election. A no vote would retain separate party primaries. Patch examined the proposal here.
Question 4: Election Day Registration. A yes vote would allow eligible residents to register or update their addresses at their polling places on Election Day beginning in 2028. A no vote would retain the advance registration deadline.
Question 5: State Revenue Limit. A yes vote would change the state revenue cap by linking it to the previous year’s collections and average wage growth, with excess revenue returned to taxpayers. A no vote would leave the current system unchanged.
Question 6: Nature For All Fund. A yes vote would create a conservation fund supported by portions of the taxes collected from sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf-course use. A no vote would leave those tax revenues allocated under current law.
Question 7: Single-Family Housing. A yes vote would generally allow single-family homes on residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet that meet frontage, water, and sewer requirements. Municipalities could still regulate features including height, parking, and setbacks. A no vote would make no change.
Question 8: Recreational Marijuana Sales. A yes vote would repeal the legal, regulated retail market for recreational marijuana while continuing to allow limited adult possession. A no vote would preserve the current marijuana law.
Question 9: Firearms Law. A yes vote would keep the state’s 2024 firearms law in place, including provisions covering ghost guns, assault-style weapons and extreme-risk protection orders. A no vote would repeal the law. Read Patch’s closer look at Question 9.
See Also:
Man Hospitalized After Early Morning Shooting In Everett
Malden To Become Home Of Indoor Soccer Chain's Newest Location
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.