Massachusetts voters face a critical decision on the November ballot regarding Question Three, a proposed measure that would radically alter the state's electoral system by eliminating traditional political primaries. The proposal aims to open elections to any qualified candidate regardless of party affiliation, replacing the current system where both Democrats and Republicans hold conventions and separate party primaries.
How Question Three Would Change Elections
Under the proposed law, all eligible candidates for offices such as governor would appear on a single primary ballot available to all registered voters, removing the requirement to choose between a Democratic or Republican ballot. The two candidates who secure the most votes in the September primary, regardless of party, would advance to the November general election. This structure is designed to weaken the political monopoly held by the Democratic Party in Massachusetts, where Democrats currently control all six statewide offices as well as both chambers of the state legislature, according to an analysis by Boston Herald columnist Peter Lucas.
The measure is also expected to empower the state’s 3.2 million registered independent voters. Unenrolled voters currently often skip primaries because participation requires choosing a party ballot. By comparison, Massachusetts has 1.3 million registered Democrats and 424,000 Republicans, leaving independent voters as the largest voting bloc in the state.
Proposals for Executive Branch Reform
Beyond opening primaries, the discussion surrounding state governance points toward broader administrative overhauls modeled after municipal governments. Proponents suggest replacing the traditional gubernatorial structure with an experienced, nonpartisan chief administrator hired by the elected eight-member Executive Council, mirroring how cities like Worcester and Lowell hire city managers to handle day-to-day operations.
Critics argue that state government has expanded beyond the management capacity of politicians with limited executive experience outside of government. For instance, Gov. Maura Healey recently signed a $63 billion state budget passed by the legislature. Reform advocates question how such massive fiscal packages are approved without significant administrative cuts, pointing to a lack of broad executive management experience among traditional political figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Question Three propose? It proposes eliminating separate party primaries in favor of a single open primary where all candidates appear together, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November ballot.
- How many independent voters are in Massachusetts? There are approximately 3.2 million registered independent or unenrolled voters in the state.
- Who currently controls the Massachusetts legislature? The Democratic Party holds control over both the House and the Senate, as well as all six statewide offices.
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