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

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to choose candidates for the November general election.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 31, 2026 4:22 PM EDT

A crowded field of candidates will be thinned following Tuesday's primary vote. (Patch Graphics)

MEDFORD, 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.

Medford voters will also have choices in several local Democratic races. The retirement of longtime State Sen. Pat Jehlen has opened up the Second Middlesex District seat, with State Rep. Christine Barber, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, Winchester resident Thomas Hopcroft, Somerville resident Matthew McLaughlin and State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven seeking the Democratic nomination. The district includes all of Medford and Somerville, Cambridge Wards 9 through 11 and Winchester Precincts 4 through 7.

Barber's decision to run for Senate has also opened up her 34th Middlesex District seat in the House of Representatives. Former Somerville City Councilor Will Mbah, Christopher Oates, of Somerville, and Paul Ruseau, of Medford, are seeking the Democratic nomination. The district includes portions of Medford and Somerville.

State Rep. Paul Donato, of Medford, is also seeking reelection in the 35th Middlesex District. Republican James Seibel, also of Medford, is seeking his party's nomination for the seat.

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 for the Democratic nomination.

Incumbent Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan is also facing David Solet for the Democratic nomination.

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, while Shawn Oliver is the only Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

How To Vote

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

Medford voters can cast their ballots at their regular polling locations. Residents can check their assigned polling location through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's "Where Do I Vote?" tool or the City of Medford's polling location lookup.

RETURNING VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS

Medford voters who have received a mail-in ballot can return it through several methods:

Mail it to Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive.
Bring it to City Hall during regular business hours.
Place it in the mail drop box outside City Hall.

Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the Election Commission by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Mail-in ballots cannot be delivered to an 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.