Suffolk County voters head to polls for Markey, Healey and House races

Voters across Suffolk County, Massachusetts, began arriving at polling places on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to cast ballots in the midterm election. Polls in the state are open from 7 a.m. To 8 p.m. Local time. While some municipalities may allow polling places to open as early as 5:45 a.m., the standard closing time is 8 p.m. For the day. Residents of Boston, Cambridge, Lynn, Quincy, Newton, and Somerville are all participating in this statewide vote. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, a rule emphasized by election officials to ensure every resident in the queue can participate.

The ballot for Massachusetts voters includes a U.S. Senate race where incumbent Edward J. Markey, a Democrat, is seeking re-election. Markey faces a Republican challenger in a contest that will determine who represents the state in the upper chamber for the next six years. The Associated Press notes that this race is part of a nationwide effort to control the Senate, where Democrats need a net gain of four seats to achieve a majority. The outcome in Massachusetts will contribute to the final tally for the chamber, which currently holds 53 seats for Republicans and 45 for Democrats, plus two independents.

Statewide, voters are also choosing a governor. Incumbent Maura Healey, a Democrat, is running for a second term against a Republican opponent. The governorship is a key part of the 36 governorships up for election this year. Ballotpedia indicates that Republicans and Democrats each hold 18 of the governorships currently on the ballot across the country. In Massachusetts, the race is between the two major parties, with no independent or third-party candidates listed on the primary ballot for this specific office in the state facts provided.

Every U.S. House seat in Massachusetts is also on the ballot. The state's congressional delegation will be determined by voters in each district. The election includes contests for state and local offices as well as ballot measures that vary by county. In Suffolk County, these local races and measures provide an opportunity for residents to influence city councils and town meetings. The national picture for the House is intense, with all 435 seats up for grabs. Democrats currently hold 214 seats and need a net gain of three to take control, while Republicans hold 218 and can lose no more than two to maintain their majority.

Massachusetts voters will also decide on several statewide ballot measures. Question 1 asks voters to make records held by the state legislature and the governor's office public records. Question 2 permits employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services to participate in collective bargaining practices. Question 3 proposes eliminating political party primaries for state elections and creating a single primary where candidates are listed regardless of their political party. These measures reflect ongoing debates about transparency and election administration in the Commonwealth.

Additional questions on the ballot address voter registration and state finances. Question 4 provides for same-day voter registration, a process that allows eligible citizens to register and vote at the same time. Question 5 seeks to change the limit of how much revenue the state can collect in a given year. Question 6 creates a fund titled the Nature for All Fund to further efforts of nature conservation. These financial and environmental questions are part of a broader set of issues facing the state government as it enters the second half of the president's term.

Land use and substance use regulations are also subjects of the vote. Question 7 requires cities and towns to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots that meet minimum standards of at least 5,000 square feet in area. This measure aims to influence housing density and availability in local communities. Question 8 asks voters to repeal laws that permit the sale of recreational marijuana and the personal cultivation of cannabis in homes. The outcome of this question could significantly alter the state's approach to cannabis regulation.

Question 9 is a veto referendum on An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, which was passed in 2024. Voters will decide whether to uphold the legislation as written. This question gives the public a direct say in the state's firearm policies. The ballot measures are a significant part of the election, providing a mechanism for direct democracy in Massachusetts. The Associated Press notes that the election is viewed as a referendum on the current administration, with voters weighing in on high prices and other national concerns.

Across the country, the election is marked by high turnout expectations. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many states. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. In Suffolk County, the focus is on the local and state races that will shape the region's political landscape. The results of these elections will be determined by the votes cast in the polling places throughout the day.

The election also has national implications for the balance of power in Congress. Republicans are bracing for potential losses in the House and are fighting to hold the Senate. Democrats are cautiously optimistic about their chances. The outcome of the elections in Massachusetts, including the Senate race and the governorship, will be part of the broader national picture that determines the direction of the country for the next two years. The polls will remain open until 8 p.m., and voters are encouraged to check their specific polling place locations at vote.gov or through their state election office.