Melrose 2020 Primary Election Guide: Races, Where To Vote

MELROSE — The state primary is already unlike any other, and it's not even Election Day yet.

Massachusetts and Melrose have adjusted in the face of a pandemic, changing how, when and where people vote to make for a safe and more equitable elections process.

But despite the newness, the primary may be remembered for what happens in its marquee race.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey is facing a challenge from U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III — yes, from that Kennedy family — in a race that seems at times trivial and other times contentious, depending on who you ask.

Kennedy, 39, has been showing out his progressive bona fides in order to convince voters it's high time for a change. Markey, 74, has argued his lengthy record should trump Kennedy's dynastic name.

The other two competitive races on the ballot include who the Republican challenger for that senate seat will be in the general election and a Democratic race for who will represent the sixth district in the governor's council. See the full ballot below.

Patch will have full results as soon as they are available. Subscribe for free to Melrose Patch for the latest. Follow Mike Carraggi on Twitter @PatchCarraggi for other updates down the elections stretch.

Where to vote

Among the voting options this year is still the ability to vote in-person on Election Day. In-person Election Day voting will take place Sept. 1, between 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

All in-person Election Day voting will take place at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gym. The entrance will be at the back parking lot — near 90 Melrose St. Voters will line up according to their wards and precincts, so be aware before you show up.

Read: Melrose Voting Location Change Now Official

Early voting

For the first time early voting was offered for the state primary. As of Friday afternoon, the final day for early voting, nearly 1,000 residents took advantage, according to City Clerk Amy Kamosa. Early voting was at Memorial Hall this year.

Mail-in voting

Another first was the expansion of no-excuse mail-in voting across Massachusetts. As of Thursday evening, the elections office had received 8,673 applications for mail-in ballots and had 5,091 ballots returned.

Read: Melrose Mail-In Voting Gets Stamp Of Approval

Who is on the ballot

U.S. Senate

Democratic: U.S. Sen: Ed Markey vs. U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III

Republican: Shiva Ayyadurai vs. Kevin O'Connor

U.S. House Of Representatives

Democratic: U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark

Republican: Stoneham Selectwoman Caroline Colarusso

State Senate

Democratic: State Sen. Jason Lewis

State House Of Representatives

Democratic: State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian

Governor's Council

Democratic: Terrence Kennedy (incumbent) vs. Helina Fontes

Register of Probate

Democratic: Tara DeCristofaro

Sept. 1 sample ballots in Melrose