Massachusetts Question 3 on the November 3 Ballot: Replacing Party Primaries With a Single Top-Two Primary
Massachusetts voters will decide Question 3 on November 3, a ballot proposal that could change how primary elections operate in the state. According to NBC 10 News reporting on October 21, Question 3 would eliminate the state's traditional party primaries in favor of a single primary where all candidates compete, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election regardless of political party; if approved, the new system would take effect on January 1, 2028. The measure was initiated by the Coalition for a Healthy Democracy, and its supporters include U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton and former Governor Deval Patrick. Supporters say it would allow more voters to take part in the elections that actually decide the winners. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said about 65 percent of the state's registered voters are unenrolled and would rather have an a la carte approach. Opponents worry a top-two primary would favor candidates with better financial resources and make it harder for third-party and independent candidates to reach the general election. Jordan Berg Powers, chair of the No on 3 campaign, said the state already has a problem with money in politics and the change would ratchet up that problem. The opposition is backed by both major state parties, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, and several unions.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Wikimedia Commons（Epicsunwarrior 摄影，CC BY 2.0）；图中为位于 Boston 的马萨诸塞州议会大厦。
