Massachusetts Question 3 — All-party (top-two) primary elections

What it does

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026? This proposed law would eliminate political party primaries for state elections and instead establish a system where there would be a single, all-party primary in which all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, would be listed on one ballot, and voters could vote for any candidate on the ballot. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary would advance to the general election ballot. This proposed law would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run and be listed jointly on the ballot in the primary. This proposed law would provide political party status to any group whose candidates for any statewide office received at least 3% of the ballots cast in the state primary.

A YES vote means

A YES VOTE would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and require a single primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot, voters could vote for any candidate, and the top two candidates would advance to the general election.

A NO vote means

A NO VOTE would make no change to the laws governing primary elections.

Needed to pass

A simple majority

Put on the ballot by

citizen initiative

Official text: source

Also on Massachusetts ballots

• Question 1 — Public records law applied to the Legislature and Governor
• Question 2 — Collective bargaining for Committee for Public Counsel Services employees
• Question 4 — Election Day voter registration
• Question 5 — State revenue growth limit and taxpayer rebates
• Question 6 — Nature for All Fund from sporting-goods sales taxes
• Question 7 — Single-family homes on 5,000 sq ft lots
• Question 8 — Repeal of retail sale of adult-use marijuana
• Question 9 — Firearms law (Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024)

All Massachusetts races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Massachusetts Question 3 mean?

A YES VOTE would eliminate separate party primaries for state elections and require a single primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot, voters could vote for any candidate, and the top two candidates would advance to the general election.

What does a NO vote on Massachusetts Question 3 mean?

A NO VOTE would make no change to the laws governing primary elections.

How many votes does Massachusetts Question 3 need to pass?

A simple majority

Should I vote yes or no on Massachusetts Question 3?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.