Massachusetts Ranks Near Bottom in Electoral Competition
A new report finds the state places 49th nationally for legislative contest competitiveness.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Political Parties
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Ballotpedia has ranked Massachusetts 49th out of 50 states for electoral competitiveness, citing low rates of primary and general election opposition. The report finds that three out of every five legislative races in the state remain uncontested.
Why it matters
Low competition levels have helped Democrats maintain a veto-proof supermajority in both legislative chambers. The lack of major-party matchups across most districts significantly limits the number of choices voters have on the ballot.
Massachusetts holds an overall competitiveness index of 15, ranking 45th in general election contests at 23 percent. Democrats contest 94 percent of seats compared to 30 percent by Republicans, while 14 percent of incumbents face primary challenges.
The players
Ballotpedia
An online encyclopedia that covers American politics and elections at the federal, state, and local levels.
The details
The index is calculated by averaging the percentages of open seats, contested primaries, and major-party matchups for all 160 House seats and 40 Senate seats. Massachusetts has consistently placed at the bottom of these rankings for the past decade.
Timeline
2016-2024: The state remained at the bottom of the competitiveness index.
2026: Ballotpedia issued the latest biennial competition index.
November 2026: Legislative elections are scheduled to occur.
Political Context
The opposition party frequently argues that the current system lacks sufficient checks and balances due to the dominance of one party. They contend that the high rate of uncontested seats prevents meaningful debate on critical policy issues facing the state.
With a large majority of legislative seats facing no competition, most voters will find only one candidate on their general election ballot. This structural reality limits the ability of residents to influence legislative direction through the ballot box.
The takeaway
The lack of competitive races often results in lower voter engagement and reduced political accountability. Residents should monitor candidate filings in future cycles to see if emerging local movements can bridge the gap in opposition coverage.
What happens next
Voters will decide on Question 3 during the upcoming fall election in November 2026.
Further reading
For more on the state's political dynamics, read our Political Parties coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Governing.
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Do you believe having uncontested local legislative races makes elected officials less accountable to your community?
