Massachusetts voters will decide whether to make a major change to the way candidates are chosen in state primary elections. Question 3 would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and replace them with one all-party primary, where the top two candidates advance to the general election regardless of party. Here’s what a YES or NO vote means and what voters need to know.
Early voting underway in Massachusetts
with midterm election day just two weeks out.
Voters are deciding between nine statewide ballot questions.
Boston 25's Shana Ferraro in the studio tonight.
Shana, one question would impact state party primaries.
Yeah, that's exactly right.
One, potentially one of the most consequential questions
of this year's ballot is question three.
It could fundamentally change
the way we choose candidates for state office.
Here's what Massachusetts voters need
to know before they hit the ballot box.
When it comes to ballot question number three,
we're talking about state primary elections.
Right now, Massachusetts has separate
Democratic and Republican primaries.
So Democrats compete against Democrats in one primary.
Republicans compete against Republicans in another.
And the winners then face off in November.
But question three could fundamentally shift that system.
In simple terms,
what would question three change for Massachusetts voters?
It would change our primary and general elections.
when it comes to gubernatorial executive branch, congressional,
state legislature, as well as some sheriff and DA races.
Dr. Erin O'Brien is a political science professor at UMass Boston.
She says when it comes to ballot question three,
instead of separate party primaries,
all the candidates would appear on the same ballot.
Democrats, Republicans, independents,
and other candidates would compete in one primary.
What the all-party primary does is all
those folks would be mushed together.
The top two candidates would emerge in the primary,
and the general election voters would pick from those two.
So, for example, if the top two finishers were both Democrats, voters
could see two Democrats competing against each other in November.
Same idea if the top two were a Democrat and a Republican.
So it eliminates the heavy control of party label
when it comes to primary voting.
supporters say this could create more competitive elections
and give voters more choices earlier in
the process meaning the primary can effectively determine
who wins but opponents argue question
three could actually reduce voters choices
in november adding eliminating party primaries
would reduce the role political parties
traditionally play in choosing and vetting
candidates it's not democrats on one side
and republicans on one side on this that you know
you've got Deval Patrick and Charlie Baker saying
yes you've got Ayanna Pressley saying no so party
label actually doesn't help us decide that quickly here
so what does your vote mean a yes vote would
eliminate separate party primaries
and create one all-party primary with the top two finishers
advancing to november
a no vote would keep massachusetts current primary system as it is
for voters deciding how important is it to you to see d
and r on a general ballot is that important
If it is, then you're not for this.
If you want to see a moderate and a liberal run against each other,
perhaps in all likelihood in Massachusetts of the same party,
then maybe you're for this.
So question three isn't about changing who can vote.
It's about changing how candidates get
from the primary to the November ballot.
If approved, the new system would take effect beginning in 2028.
