(Western Mass News) SPRINGFIELD — Ballot Question 3 would eliminate political party primaries in Massachusetts and establish a single, all-party primary. Voters will decide on the proposal November 3 as part of nine statewide ballot questions.
Under the proposed law, every candidate would be listed on one ballot, regardless of whether they are a Democrat, Republican, or another party candidate. Voters also could vote for any candidate on the ballot, regardless of their own party affiliation.
The two candidates receiving the most votes would advance to the general election, even if they are from the same political party.
The proposal also would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to be listed jointly on the primary ballot. It would provide political party status to any group whose candidates for statewide office received at least three percent of the ballots cast in the state primary.
Supporters of Question 3, including State Sen. John Velis, said all-party primaries would bring accountability and transparency to Massachusetts politics. They said the change would make elections more competitive and require candidates to appeal to voters outside their own political party.
“The biggest issue right now is no one wants to compromise. Nobody wants to talk to the other party,” Velis explained. “If we elect people who as part of the campaigning process need to speak to not just their party, but folks in the other party as well as independents, it’s going to be a really good thing.”
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