MA Ballot 2026

Nine questions. One page each. No jargon.

The nine Massachusetts ballot questions, explained in plain English. Massachusetts hasn't had this many since 1994.

Tap a question, pick Yes, No, or still deciding — your picks stay saved in this browser only. No sign-up, nothing shared.

Election dayTuesday, November 3, 2026
Register bySaturday, October 24 · Register online
Early votingOctober 17 – 30
You've decided on 0 of 9 questions Your cheat sheet →

The questions, in ballot order

  1. 1 Expanding the Public Records Law
    Government transparency

    Would require the state Legislature and the Governor's office to comply with the public records law, which they're currently exempt from, with two carve-outs.

  2. 2 Collective Bargaining for Public Defenders
    Labor

    Would let the state's public defenders unionize and bargain collectively, something almost no other state employees are barred from today.

  3. 3 State Primary Elections
    Elections

    Would replace separate party primaries with one combined primary, where the top two finishers advance to the general election regardless of party.

  4. 4 Election Day Registration
    Elections

    Would let eligible residents register and vote on the same day at their polling place, instead of registering at least 10 days ahead as current law requires.

  5. 5 State Revenue Limit & Rebate
    Taxes

    Would change the formula behind the state's 1986 tax-revenue cap so it's tied to actual collections, making taxpayer rebates larger and more frequent.

  6. 6 Natural Resource Conservation Fund
    Environment

    Would create no new tax, but redirect existing sales tax revenue from sporting goods, RVs, and golf courses into a dedicated conservation fund.

  7. 7 Single-Family Homes on Smaller Lots
    Housing

    Would require every city and town to allow single-family homes on small lots with water, sewer, and road access, overriding stricter local zoning.

  8. 8 Prohibit Retail Sale of Recreational Marijuana
    Cannabis

    Would repeal the 2016 law that legalized recreational marijuana sales, ending the state's retail cannabis industry while keeping small-amount possession legal.

  9. 9 Firearms Regulation
    Public safety

    A referendum on the gun law the Legislature passed in 2024 — unlike the other eight questions, here a YES vote keeps the law and a NO vote repeals it.