Massachusetts voters have rejected Question 3, the proposal to replace party primaries with a single all-party primary, according to Associated Press projections reported by the Boston Globe and WCVB on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. State primaries will stay divided by party.
Democratic and Republican leaders both opposed the measure, arguing that an all-party ballot would benefit wealthy, self-funded candidates, the Globe reported. Supporters argued that ending partisan primaries would promote competition in a state where Democrats often win statewide races easily, according to the Globe.
What voters turned down
According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s official Information for Voters, which we read, Question 3 would have created “a single, all-party primary in which all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, would be listed on one ballot,” and “the two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary would advance to the general election ballot.” It would not have taken effect until January 1, 2028.
What stays the same
- State primaries stay divided by political party, WCVB reported, with each party’s nominee advancing to November.
- City elections were not on the ballot. WCVB had compared Question 3 to the preliminary election Boston already uses for offices like mayor, where the top two finishers advance; that system is unaffected.
Frequently asked questions
Did Question 3 pass in Massachusetts?
No. The AP projected it would fail, the Boston Globe and WCVB reported November 4, 2026.
Will Massachusetts still have party primaries?
Yes. Because Question 3 failed, state primaries remain divided by party.
Is the result official?
Not yet. Certification is expected to run until December 2, WCVB reported.
Sources: Boston Globe live election coverage and WCVB, November 4, 2026 (AP projection, supporters and opponents). Question 3 text and effective date from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s 2026 Information for Voters. General information, not legal advice.