Special Election Called in First Middlesex Senate District

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin has announced that nomination papers are now available for candidates running in the upcoming special state election being held in the First Middlesex Senate District, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sen. Edward J. Kennedy of Lowell.

According to the order adopted by the State Senate this morning, the special election will be held on March 3, 2026. Under state law, the special primaries will be held on February 3, 2026.

Candidates will have until December 23 to submit nomination papers to local registrars for certification of signatures. The last day to file certified nomination papers and other required paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth is December 30. Nominations for the State Senate require a minimum of 300 certified signatures.

Nomination papers are available now at the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division, in Room 1705 of One Ashburton Place, in Boston. Papers can also be obtained from the Lowell Elections Commission at 375 Merrimack Street in Lowell.

The First Middlesex Senate District includes the City of Lowell, as well as the towns of Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, and Tyngsborough.