Former Gov. Baker Joins Patrick in Endorsing Question 3 to Create All-Party Primaries
The reform would replace party nominees with a single primary, and supporters say it could end convention gatekeeping that blocked candidates like Danielle Allen.
- On Monday, former Republican Governor Charlie Baker joined former Democratic Governor Deval Patrick in endorsing Question 3, a ballot measure seeking to replace partisan primaries with an all-party system.
- Designed to end 'convention gatekeeping,' the measure would require all candidates to compete in a single primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
- Baker stated the reform encourages officials to 'reach across the aisle' to deliver results, while Patrick added that elections should be about 'insiders versus outsiders,' not party labels.
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley announced her opposition this week, citing concerns the system invites special-interest spending; the Massachusetts Democratic Party and Massachusetts Republican Party also oppose the measure.
- Polling shows 43% of likely voters support the switch while 36% oppose it and 20% remain undecided; if passed on November 3, the new law takes effect January 1, 2028.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Question 3, which would establish all-party primaries, draws big names on both sides
Former governors Charlie Baker and Deval Patrick announced their support for the "Yes on 3" campaign on the same day that Rep. Ayanna Pressley said she was opposed to all-party primaries.
Sentinel and Enterprise
Rank the VoteEditorial: Party icons add cachet to push for open primaries
One of the referendum questions up for a vote on the November ballot strikes at the heart of the democratic process — creating an all-party state primary. If Question 3 were to pass, all candidates for a statewide race would appear on a single primary ballot. Any voter — no matter the party affiliation
Former Gov. Baker joins Patrick in endorsing Question 3 to create all-party primaries
The Massachusetts Democratic Party and the Massachusetts Republican Party both oppose Question 3, along with state legislative leaders. But the Yes on 3 campaign announced Monday that former Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has joined former Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick in endorsing the election reform.
All-Party Primaries Make Every Voter Matter
In Massachusetts, just one in five registered voters votes in the primaries. That means that a small slice of voters choose who will be on the general election ballot and the rest – the vast majority of voters – have to live with those choices. In theory, our elected officials are accountable to the people… Continue reading All-Party Primaries Make Every Voter Matter
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