Salem MA Primary 2026 Voter Guide: Where To Vote, Races, Candidates

SALEM, MA — Salem 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.

Moulton's decision to run for Senate opened up his Essex County seat in the House of Representatives to a crowded field of Democrats, including former Biden Administration official Dan Koh, of Andover, State Rep. Tram Nguyen, of Andover, attorney and business leader John Beccia, of Lynnfield, former State Rep. Jamie Belsito, of Topsfield, software engineer and Democratic Socialist Bethany Andres-Beck, of Middleton, and veterinarian and former Washington aide Mariah Lancaster, of Salem.

The winner of that race will face Republican attorney and U.S. Army veteran Micah Q. Jones, of Danvers, in November.

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 Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning-Martin has mounted a write-in campaign to challenge New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver for the lieutenant governor nomination.

How To Vote

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

Salem polling locations for 2026:

Ward 1 Precinct 1 Bentley Academy Gymnasium, 25 Memorial Drive
Ward 1 Precinct 2 Community Center, 135 Lafayette Street
Ward 2 Precinct 1 & 2 Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street
Ward 3 Precinct 1 & 2 Salem High School, Auditorium, 77 Willson Street
Ward 4 Precinct 1 & 2 Witchcraft Heights School Gym, 1 Frederick Street
Ward 5 Precinct 1 & 2 Saltonstall School Auditorium, 211 Lafayette Street
Ward 6 Precinct 1 & 2 Bates School Theatre Room, 53 Liberty Hill Avenue
Ward 7 Precinct 1 & 2 Salem Enterprise Center, 121 Loring Avenue

RETURNING VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS

• Your ballot can be mailed using the provided pre-paid white envelope
• Dropped off outside the front entrance of City Hall, 93 Washington Street in the black "payment" box
• Brought into the Elections Office in Room #5 of City Hall, 93 Washington Street
• Dropped into one of our secured Ballot Drop Boxes until 8 pm. on Election Night.
• Locations of Ballot Drop Boxes are listed below:
  Fire Statiom Headquarters, 48 Lafayette Street
  Fire Station #5, 64 Loring Avenue
  Fire Station #4, 415 Essex Street