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Wednesday, October 28, 2026Get the Morning Current

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Question 3: should Massachusetts replace its party primaries with one primary for state offices?

Question 3 would replace the separate party primaries for state offices with one primary, and the top two candidates would advance to November. Our explainer covers what each vote does and who is paying for each side.

An illustration of twelve small circles on the left, standing for candidates of any party. They pass through one funnel marked as a single primary ballot. Two larger circles come out on the right, standing for the two candidates who would advance to November.
From our Question 3 explainer. Illustration: Cape Ann Current illustration
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By Kerry Jane · Wednesday, October 28How we work

Trust Check: Checked against public records

Question 3 would replace the separate party primaries for state offices with one primary on one ballot. The top two candidates would advance to November, whatever their party.

A Yes vote makes that change, starting in 2028. A No vote keeps the party primaries.

Supporters say more competition means more accountability. Opponents say top two systems in other states have favored wealthy, self funded candidates.

As of Oct. 26, the Yes side had reported about $7.7 million and the No side about $198,000, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Read the full Question 3 explainer, with what each vote does, the background, the data and every source. The Cape Ann Current takes no position on any ballot question.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting runs through Thursday, Oct. 29, in Essex and through Friday, Oct. 30, in Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester; see the last week of early voting for hours. All nine questions and the candidates are in our Election 2026 guide.

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