> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.newbostonpost.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Winter Special Election Scheduled To Fill Lowell-Based Senate Seat - URL: https://www.newbostonpost.com/winter-special-election-scheduled-to-fill-lowell-based-senate-seat/ - Published: 2025-10-22T19:30:06.000Z - Updated: 2025-10-22T19:30:05.000Z - Description: Voters in Lowell and a few surrounding towns will head to the polls in the winter of 2026 to elect a new senator. - Author: State House News Service - Tags: News, Politics, State Government, #breaking-news, #most-popular Ella Adams State House News Service Voters in Lowell and a few surrounding towns will head to the polls in the winter of 2026 to elect a new sgate senator. The Massachusetts Senate on Monday adopted an order scheduling a March 3, 2026 special election to fill the First Middlesex seat, held since 2018 by the late Ed Kennedy, a Democratic state senator who died on October 1 at the age of 74. The district, which sits along the border of New Hampshire, includes the city of Lowell and the towns of Dracut, Dunstable, and Tyngsborough. The special election primary will be held February 3, 2026, according to Massachusetts Secretary of State [William Galvin](https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ma/directory/legislator/4543?ref=newbostonpost.com)'s office. A former Lowell City Council member, Kennedy was serving as co-chairman of the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets and Senate vice chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. Lowell Democratic state representative [Rodney Elliott](https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ma/directory/legislator/4467?ref=newbostonpost.com) announced on Friday that he is running for the historically Democrat-controlled Senate seat. “I'm running for State Senate to be the strong voice that for working families, small businesses, and the future we all want to build — one that is more affordable, more inclusive, and more sustainable," he said in a press release. Elliott served on the Lowell City Council for 24 years, and as the city's mayor from 2014 to 2016. State Representative [Vanna Howard](https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ma/directory/legislator/4538?ref=newbostonpost.com), Democrat from Lowell, is considering a state Senate run. "Over the last few days, many friends, supporters, and colleagues have reached out encouraging me to run for State Senate," she said in a written statement to State House News Service. "Senator Kennedy served Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell, and Tyngsborough with dedication and heart, and whoever follows him has big shoes to fill. I’ll be taking some time with my family in the days ahead to consider this important decision." Special election candidates must submit nomination signatures with local election officials by December 23, 2025, according to Galvin's office. At least 300 certified signatures must be filed with the state elections division by December 30, 2025. After putting the Boston Elections Department into receivership following the 2024 election cycle, Galvin last Thursday issued an order to local election officials in Lawrence that his office will have staff present in the city to supervise the absentee ballot process and voting during early voting and on Election Day. The order states that "urgent circumstances exist" relating to the absentee ballot application and ballot activities in Lawrence. His office "has received numerous complaints in connection the absentee ballot application and voting process," according to Galvin's order. The issues revolve around supporters of some candidates in the race attempting to submit absentee ballot applications on behalf of voters, according to *Boston Glob* [reporting](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/17/metro/lawrence-absentee-ballots-galvin-takeover/?ref=newbostonpost.com). The Lawrence Election Office has received absentee ballot applications and ballots from people other than the voters ballots were meant for, and some voters submitting an absentee ballot application "do not meet the lawful requirements to cast an absentee ballot," the order states. Galvin told the The Boston Globe that the situation involved at least 100 applications. His office is ordering Lawrence election officials to verify authenticity of all absentee ballots submitted; obtain the verified name of individuals submitting absentee ballots on behalf of another voter; and keep records of submitted applications that are incomplete. Asked why Lawrence's election's division isn't being handled in the same way the Boston Elections Division was, Galvin spokesman Deb O'Malley told State House News Service that the problems occurring in Lawrence are not related to the administration of the election, but more to campaign conduct.