Election Day 2026 is here in Massachusetts. Voters are heading to the polls to decide major races for governor, U.S. Senate, and state legislative seats, along with nine ballot questions covering issues including marijuana sales, election laws, government transparency, conservation, and housing.
millions head to their polling locations today to cast
their ballots in a wide variety of state and local races.
Let's get out to Boston 25 news reporter Kelly Sullivan live
at a polling place in Arlington this morning
with the final pitches from the candidates for governor Kelly.
Yeah, so almost a year of campaigning comes down
to today for Governor Maura Healey as she is going
for re-election against her Republican challenger, Mike Minogue.
They were both out yesterday doing their last-minute pitches to voters.
Healey, she was in downtown Boston visiting businesses there,
speaking with voters.
She has not only been touting her accomplishments as governor,
but also tying Minogue to President Trump and his policies.
Both candidates vying for those last-minute votes spoke about
the pressing issues voters
are concerned with.
We've made a lot of changes in the last four years.
Free community college, we cut taxes,
we turned around a broken transit system in Massachusetts
and at the T. And there's a lot more that we have left to do.
What this election is about is what Maura Healey said,
that Massachusetts is a great
place to live if you can afford it.
And most people can't afford it.
This is the tipping point elections.
We're thrilled to have you here.
Minogue spent yesterday in Revere talking to voters there,
saying Healy's time is up,
and blamed her for the state's high cost
of electricity, health care, and housing.
Now, already, more than one million people here in Massachusetts
have cast their ballot in early voting, or mail-in ballots.
So now, the polls, they'll open about an hour from now at 7
o'clock this morning, and they'll close at 8 o'clock this evening.
Reporting live in Arlington,
Kelly Sullivan for your local station, Boston 25 News.
All right, Kel, thank you. And in Massachusetts,
the Senate race incumbent, Senator Ed Markey.
Facing Republican challenger John Deaton, Markey turned 80 over
the summer and is seeking his third term in the Senate.
He said despite his age, he is still motivated
to fight back against the president.
This is Deaton's second time running for Senate.
He lost to Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2024.
Deaton says he hates both parties
and has never voted for President Trump.
Socialist candidate Joe Teixeira also running.
He says both parties have let too many people down.
And he believes there's an opening for the Socialist Party.
In New Hampshire, U.S. Senate race could play a key role
in deciding control of the upper chamber of Congress.
Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas
is facing former Senator John Sununu.
Sununu lost re-election
to now-retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen back in 2009.
A Republican has not won a Senate seat in New Hampshire since 2010.
Granite State voters also will be casting ballots for Governor.
Incumbent Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte
is facing Democratic challenger Cindy Warmington.
She's an attorney who served on the Executive Council
of New Hampshire from 2021 to 2025.
