Massachusetts Rejects Top-Two Primary Change

Voters turned down Question Three by more than 20 points while several other ballot measures remained too close to call.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single ballot box silhouette in navy and cream against a slate-blue field, evoking a civic electoral decision. — Massachusetts voters rejected Question Three on top-two primaries by more than 20 points, while Questions Five and Seven remained too close to call. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Massachusetts voters rejected Question Three, which would have established non-partisan top-two primaries, by a margin over 20 points. Question Seven and Question Five remained too close to call as of publication.

Why it matters

The result keeps the state's existing primary system in place for now, while the close races on Question Seven and Question Five leave outcomes uncertain for voters in Massachusetts.

Nantucket voters rejected Question Three by 7 points, with 5,099 voters turning out for the 2026 midterm, a 144-voter increase from 2022. Question Seven stood at 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent with 9 percent of the vote still outstanding, and Question Five stood at 52.1 percent to 47.9 percent with 13 percent outstanding.

The players

Massachusetts voters

The state's electorate decided the ballot questions in the 2026 midterm elections, rejecting Question Three and leaving several measures too close to call.

The details

Massachusetts voters also endorsed broadening the state's public records law, allowing public defenders to join unions, establishing same-day voter registration, and creating a dedicated environmental conservation tax fund. Question Seven would require cities and towns to allow single-family homes on residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet or more of frontage and access to public sewer and water services.

Nov. 3, 2026: Massachusetts holds its midterm elections, including the ballot questions.
Nov. 4, 2026: Question Seven and Question Five remain uncalled the day after the election.

Civic Engagement Context

The rejection of Question Three marks a decisive statewide choice against changing the primary system, even as the close results on Question Seven and Question Five show a divided electorate on housing and tax policy.

Massachusetts residents in cities like Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Lowell would see new housing options if Question Seven passes. Voters should watch for final official counts on Question Seven and Question Five, since those outcomes are still pending.