2026 Massachusetts Ballot Questions

Summary from State AG: This proposed law would make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. This proposed law would exempt documents related to the development of public policy and communications between legislators and their constituents, if those communications are reasonably related to a constituent's request for assistance in obtaining government-provided benefits or services or interacting with a government agency.

Summary from State AG: This proposed law would specify that employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services ("CPCS") are permitted to engage in collective bargaining with their employer. It would also require CPCS, after executing a collective bargaining agreement, to request the appropriation necessary to fund such agreement from the Governor.

Summary from State AG: 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. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor would be required 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. The law would take effect January 1, 2028.

Summary based off State AG text: This proposal would allow eligible voters in Massachusetts to register to vote on Election Day by appearing in person at their polling place, presenting proof of residency, and signing a written oath. Acceptable proof of residency would include a state-issued photo ID or other documents showing name and address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or student fee statement. Those unable to present sufficient identification on Election Day could cast a provisional ballot and return with documentation within a specified window after the election. The written oath would require the individual to certify that they are a citizen of the United States, are at least 18 years old, are not legally prohibited from voting, and have not and will not vote in the same election at another location. The oath would require the individual to acknowledge that providing false information is a felony punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.The law would take effect January 1, 2028, and would not apply to town meeting elections or allow party enrollment changes at a primary. This question was proposed by Secretary of State Bill Galvin.

Summary from State AG: This proposed law would change the limit on how much revenue the state can collect in a given year. The proposal would limit state revenue in a given year to the net amount of state revenue from the year before, increased by a rate equal to the average growth of wages and salaries in Massachusetts over the most recent three years. If revenue collected by the state in a given year exceeds the limit, the excess amount would be refunded to taxpayers the following year. The proposed law would include all revenue from the surtax on incomes over $1 million when calculating the revenue limit and when determining whether state revenue exceeds the limit. The provisions of the proposed law would all be effective as of July 1, 2027. The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

Summary: This proposal would create a dedicated "Nature for All Fund" by directing 50% of the sales tax revenue collected from sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses into a new state fund for natural resource conservation. The money would be managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and overseen by a 15-member board, and could be spent on things like protecting drinking water, restoring farms and forests, expanding parks and trails (particularly in underserved communities), and preserving lands of indigenous cultural significance. A second provision, taking effect in 2028, would adjust the funding formula of a related existing state fund.

Summary from State AG: This proposed law would allow single-family homes to be built in a residentially zoned area as long as the land on which it is to be constructed is at least 5,000 square feet, has at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, road, or public way that it faces, and has access to public sewer and water services. The proposed law would allow cities and towns to reasonably regulate certain aspects of those single-family homes, including their height, distance from neighboring buildings, open space, parking requirements, and whether they can be rented out on a short-term basis. The proposed law would also allow the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to issue guidance or regulations to administer the proposed law.

Summary: The proposed law would change the type and amount of marijuana that may legally be possessed in Massachusetts by repealing the laws that legalize, regulate, and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana in Massachusetts. The proposed law would also permit persons 21 years of age and older to possess 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate, and to gift or transfer to another person 21 years of age and older 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate. The proposed law would also impose a civil penalty of $100 and forfeiture of the marijuana for the possession of marijuana between the weight of 1 and 2 ounces. For persons 21 years of age and younger, the proposed law would make the possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program and community service, and notification to their parents or legal guardian of the offense and penalties. The proposed law would allow currently licensed adult recreational marijuana businesses to apply on an expedited basis to become a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and to sell their remaining inventory of adult recreational marijuana to medical marijuana dispensaries. The proposed law would retain the Cannabis Control Commission but modify its authority so it would regulate only the medical marijuana market. The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2028.

Summary from State AG: This referendum asks voters whether to keep or repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, also known as An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws. The law made several significant changes to Massachusetts firearm regulations, including: requiring all firearms to be registered in a new state electronic system; mandating serial numbers on firearms and banning untraceable ghost guns; changing the existing ban on assault weapons to cover "assault-style firearms"; requiring a basic firearms safety certificate to apply for a Firearm Identification Card or License to Carry; and allowing school administrators and licensed healthcare providers to petition courts for Extreme Risk Protection Orders requiring individuals to surrender firearms. A YES vote would keep the law in place. A NO vote would repeal it.