Massachusetts Ballot Questions in Brief

IHH has not taken any formal positions on any question but we are providing a quick summary of what a “yes” or “no” vote means for each as well as some resources to learn more below. We encourage you to VOTE EARLY.

Question 1: Expanding the Public Records Law

This proposal would make most records from the Legislature and the governor’s office available under the state’s public records law.

YES – Supports expanding the public records law to cover the Governor and the Legislature.
NO – Will keep the current Public Records Law

Question 2: Collective Bargaining for CPCS Employees

This question would allow public defenders and other employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services to unionize.

YES – Allows for public defenders and employees of the Committee for Public Counsel to collective bargaining processes and to unionize
NO – Does not support this initiative on this question

Question 3: State Primary Elections

The question would eliminate political party primaries for Massachusetts state elections. Instead, all candidates regardless of party would be listed on one ballot and the top two candidates would advance to the general election.

YES – Supports eliminating political party primaries for state elections and instead establishing a system where there would be a single 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. This proposed law would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run and be listed jointly on the ballot in the primary.
NO – Keep current system of political party primaries

Question 4: Election Day Registration

If passed, Massachusetts residents would be allowed to register to vote on Election Day and cast a ballot. The current registration cutoff is 10 days before an election.

YES – Supports Same Day Registration
NO – Keeps the current registration System

Question 5: State Revenue Limit & Rebate

The proposal would limit how much revenue the state can collect in a year, and any excess amount would be refunded to taxpayers. Refer to the state’s voter information for specifics.

YES – Supports changing the limit on state revenue collection, tying it to prior year collections plus average wage and salary growth, and provide for a rebate of revenue exceeding that limit.
NO – Supports no change to the law relative to state revenue collection.

Question 6: Natural Resource Conservation Fund

This question would put revenue collected from a sales tax on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses toward natural resources conservation.

YES – Supports creating a fund for natural resource conservation across the state.
NO – Does not support the creation of a natural resource conservation fund or change how sales and taxes are spent.

Question 7: Single Family Homes

The proposal would allow single-family homes to be built on residentially zoned areas of at least 5,000 square feet.

YES – Supports allowing single-family homes to be built on lots of 5,000 sq. feet or more in residential areas, subject to reasonable local regulation of certain aspects of those homes.
NO – Does not support changes to the law for single-family homes.

Question 8: Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana

This question would repeal the 2016 ballot question that legalized recreational use of marijuana.

YES – Supports prohibiting legalization, regulation, and taxation of the retail sale of adult recreational use of marijuana and change the penalties for possession of marijuana.
NO – Supports making no changes to the current law relative to marijuana.

Question 9: Firearms Regulation

This proposal would repeal the 2024-gun reform law in Massachusetts.

YES – Supports keeping in place the law that increases the regulation of firearms, including ghost guns, machine guns, and assault-style weapons.
NO – Supports repealing the current law on gun controls.