{"id":2674431,"date":"2026-10-02T06:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/posed-massachusetts-voting-reform-may-make-gop-entrants-more-competitive\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T06:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:46:24","slug":"posed-massachusetts-voting-reform-may-make-gop-entrants-more-competitive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/posed-massachusetts-voting-reform-may-make-gop-entrants-more-competitive\/","title":{"rendered":"Posed Massachusetts voting reform may make GOP entrants more competitive"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fposed-massachusetts-voting-reform-may-make-gop-entrants-more-competitive%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2674431&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Massachusetts Republicans see a potential prospect in a proposed electoral reform that could boost their chances of winning House seats, an idea supported by California political strategists seeking to reverse similar changes. Historically, Massachusetts has been strongly Democratic, with little success for GOP candidates, exemplified by recent presidential and congressional races. The proposed reform, Question 3, would eliminate traditional party primaries in favor of an all-party, top-two system similar to California\u2019s model, placing all candidates on a single primary ballot with the top two advancing to the general election regardless of party.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters argue that this change could increase competition, improve voter choice, and involve broader participation, especially from independents and minority groups, by shifting focus to the more populous November election. Critics, including major parties and unions, contend it could make campaigns more costly, weaken party organizations, and amplify the influence of affluent donors and outside groups. The massachusetts GOP sees particular advantage under this system, as it could help break Democratic dominance, especially in districts where incumbents face no Republican opposition. <\/p>\n<p>California\u2019s experience with a similar top-two primary system, introduced via Proposition 14 in 2010, shows mixed results: it has increased competition but also failed to eliminate traditional partisan matchups. Democratic leaders there criticize the system as problematic, highlighting political splitting and unintended consequences like candidate fragmentation. <\/p>\n<p>in Massachusetts, proponents of the reform point to municipal races, where top-two primaries have led to more competition and voter engagement. However, political scientists caution that the dynamics in small city elections differ vastly from statewide or federal contests, where party affiliation and ideological divides play larger roles. Opponents warn that the system may favor well-funded candidates with broad name recognition, potentially skewing representation. The debate centers on whether the reform would genuinely enhance democracy or simply shift political power, with California serving as both a case study and a warning.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/massachusetts\/\">Massachusetts<\/a> Republicans could have their best chance in decades at winning House seats under a \u201cgood government\u201d proposal that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\">California<\/a> political operatives want to reverse in their state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Massachusetts GOP candidates haven\u2019t gained popularity in the Democratic-dominant state, home to liberal icons such as the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who held his seat for nearly 47 years \u2014 and Kennedy\u2019s successor a few years after his 2009 death, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). In 2024, President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> got trounced by Democratic rival <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\">Kamala Harris<\/a> in Massachusetts, 61% to 36%.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-9c738f24-6401-4d39-8b02-190354239f89-style\">@scope (#mos-9c738f24-6401-4d39-8b02-190354239f89) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-9c738f24-6401-4d39-8b02-190354239f89-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-9c738f24-6401-4d39-8b02-190354239f89) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-9c738f24-6401-4d39-8b02-190354239f89\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But ballot rules would change in a way potentially favorable to Bay State Republicans. That is, if a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">Nov. 3 midterm elections<\/a> ballot measure passes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sec.state.ma.us\/divisions\/elections\/research-and-statistics\/2026-ballot-questions.htm\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sec.state.ma.us\/divisions\/elections\/research-and-statistics\/2026-ballot-questions.htm\">Question 3<\/a>, Massachusetts would scrap its traditional party primaries and replace them with an all-party, top-two system, the same basic model California has used for more than a decade. And in Massachusetts, it\u2019s already used in many municipal elections. Question 3 would put every candidate on a single primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\">Massachusetts\u2019 Question 3 ballot measure would put every candidate on a single primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election. That is, if the ballot measure passes on Nov 3. (Charles Krupa\/AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/WB.Campaign.100726.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;658&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/WB.Campaign.100726.jpg?w=696&#8243; alt=&#8221;Massachusetts\u2019 Question 3 ballot measure would put every candidate on a single primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election. That is, if the ballot measure passes on Nov 3. (Charles Krupa\/AP)&#8221; class=&#8221;wp-image-4751394&#8243; style=&#8221;width:909px;height:auto&#8221;  ><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Massachusetts\u2019 Question 3 ballot measure would put every candidate on a single primary ballot, regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November general election. That is, if the ballot measure passes on Nov 3. (Charles Krupa\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cQuestion 3 would extend this same familiar model to state legislative, statewide, and federal elections \u2014 and add more information for voters by listing party registration and endorsements,\u201d says the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/yeson3ma.org\/resources\/jungle-primary-massachusetts\/\">Yes On 3 campaign website<\/a>. \u201cIt is the system Massachusetts already uses at the local level, applied to state and federal races.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supporters say the change would shake up a political system they argue has become too comfortable. Too many elections effectively are decided in low-turnout primaries or without meaningful competition, their argument goes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">A spool of stickers rests on a table at a polling station during Massachusetts state primary voting, Sept. 3, 2024, at the Newton Free Library, in Newton, Mass. (AP Photo\/Steven Senne)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/AP26177629364950.jpg?w=696&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/AP26177629364950.jpg?w=696&#8243; alt=&#8221;A spool of &#8220;I voted&#8221; stickers rests on a table.&#8221; class=&#8221;wp-image-4746005&#8243;  ><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE \u2013 A spool of stickers rests on a table at a polling station during Massachusetts state primary voting, Sept. 3, 2024, at the Newton Free Library, in Newton, Mass. (AP Photo\/Steven Senne, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMany people in Massachusetts feel that the political system isn\u2019t working,\u201d Jesse Littlewood, campaign manager for the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, the group behind Question 3, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.com\/news\/politics\/2026\/09\/25\/ballot-question-3-explained-all-party-primaries\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.boston.com\/news\/politics\/2026\/09\/25\/ballot-question-3-explained-all-party-primaries\/\">told <\/a><em>Boston.com<\/em>. \u201cIt\u2019s not representing us because politicians don\u2019t have to listen to us, and that is because of the structure of how they get elected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But opponents, including the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Republican Party, AFL-CIO, and other unions, argue the proposal could make campaigns more expensive, weaken party organizations, and increase the influence of wealthy donors and outside groups.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Massachusetts GOP opposition is notable, since, in practical terms, its candidates stand to gain the most under a top-two system. The last two Republican House members, Peter Blute and Peter Torkildsen, lost reelection in 1996 after four years in office. Over the past 30 years, it\u2019s been a clean sweep for Massachusetts Democrats in House races.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A long-term trend, aided no doubt by gerrymandering of House seats by the Democratic-dominated legislature. In the 2024 election cycle, in 7 of 9 House districts, incumbent Democrats faced no Republican opponents. The closest 2024 Massachusetts House race was in the Cape Cod and South Shore 9th Congressional District, where Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) beat his Republican opponent 56% to 43%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the top-two system were enacted in Massachusetts, Republicans could potentially win seats through savvy political tactics and plain luck. Specifically, Republicans would field two \u2014 and only two \u2014 candidates in a House district loaded with politically ambitious Democrats. If each GOP candidate could score about 20% in the primary, a multi-candidate Democratic field would divvy up the remaining 60%. Both Republicans would secure general-election ballot spots and notch a GOP pickup no matter which candidate won.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-california-test\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The California test<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t a far-fetched scenario. It\u2019s frequently played out, or has come reasonably close, in California, the most populous Democratic-dominated state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Voters narrowly approved Proposition 14 in 2010, creating the state\u2019s top-two system. Under the rules, all candidates for voter-nominated state and congressional offices appear on the same primary ballot, and the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The system was intended, among other things, to broaden competition and encourage candidates to reach beyond their traditional partisan bases. But more than a decade later, some Golden State Democrats argue the experiment has produced problems of its own.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks has called the current system a failure that should be \u201crevised or repealed.\u201d The issue was highlighted during this year\u2019s crowded gubernatorial primary, when Democratic vote-splitting raised the possibility that two Republicans could finish first and second and advance to November despite California\u2019s overwhelming Democratic voter registration. That outcome did not materialize. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton advanced to the general election, but the scare helped revive a broader fight over the system.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And Democrats in California have lost elections due to the top-two system. In the June 2012 California primary election, a heavily fragmented Democratic field led to a political disaster for the party in a newly drawn Inland Southern California seat that forced Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) to wait two years to start his congressional career. The then-Redlands Mayor was the top Democratic vote-getter in the House race against several party rivals, with 22.6%. But GOP Rep. Gary Miller, who had represented some of the new district\u2019s territory under the previously used House map, got 26.7% of the vote, while Republican state Sen. Bob Dutton earned 24.9%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That iced out Aguilar in what was a Democratic-leaning district. Even as President Barack Obama that November, on his way to a second term, won California over Republican rival Mitt Romney 60%-37% \u2014 about the same as Kamala Harris\u2019s 2024 win in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that blue-leaning congressional district, Miller knew he was living on political borrowed time and retired from Congress after 16 years. Aguilar\u2019s time in top-two purgatory wasn\u2019t long, as he nabbed the open seat in 2014 and has easily won reelection since. He\u2019s also risen to his party\u2019s third-highest leadership position in the minority, House Democratic Caucus chairman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The point being, though, that if gamed right, a state\u2019s minority party can try to use a top-two election system for its own political advantage. And occasionally win under it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California Democrats certainly know that. An initiative seeking to repeal California\u2019s top-two primary has been cleared to begin collecting signatures for the 2028 ballot. If it qualifies and passes, California would return to a system in which each party\u2019s top primary candidate advances to the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Political consultant Dave Spencer said California can show that the model is capable of expanding competition and reducing the influence of party insiders, even if it has not solved every problem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCalifornia hasn\u2019t proven that a top two system is the answer to everything,\u201d Spencer told the <em>Washington\u00a0Examiner<\/em>. \u201cBut the top two primary isn\u2019t the source of all of California\u2019s political problems either.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The California experience also complicates the question of whether top-two primaries actually produce the political transformation their supporters promise. A recent <em>CalMatters<\/em> analysis found that California\u2019s system has not fundamentally eliminated conventional partisan contests. Most races still produce a Democrat-versus-Republican matchup in November, while the system has occasionally produced the unusual prospect of two Democrats or two Republicans facing each other.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-debate-over-whether-question-3-would-boost-democracy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Debate over whether Question 3 would boost democracy<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This all puts Massachusetts reformers in an awkward position. They are pitching voters on a system that California Democrats increasingly regard as a liability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Danielle Allen, the coalition\u2019s convening chair and a Harvard University professor, argues that an all-party primary would shift more of the decision-making to November, when turnout is typically much higher. While giving independent and minor-party candidates a chance to compete on the same ballot as Democrats and Republicans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan Berg Powers, chair of Voter Rights MA, claims that Massachusetts already has an open primary: The state\u2019s large bloc of unenrolled voters can choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot. He worries the proposed system would force candidates to campaign to a much broader electorate, potentially making money and name recognition even more important.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mike Fahey, a political strategist who has followed primary reform efforts, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> the debate ultimately comes down to who wields the most influence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cQuestion 3 is really a debate over where political power should live: with the smaller group of voters who participate in party primaries, or with the much larger electorate that shows up in November,\u201d Fahey said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The debate also involves representation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tanisha Sullivan, president of the NAACP New England Area Conference and a Question 3 supporter, claims that the current system leaves too many voters, particularly working-class voters and communities of color, with little meaningful say because so many races are effectively settled before November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost of our elections offer no real choice,\u201d Sullivan wrote in a recent defense of Question 3. She pointed to the state\u2019s latest legislative elections, in which only 25 of the 200 lawmakers seeking reelection faced primary challengers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is whether changing the primary system would actually solve that problem or simply create a different set of winners and losers.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-mayors-offer-a-different-example\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mayors offer a different example<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Massachusetts supporters have another case study closer to home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At least 10 Massachusetts mayors have backed Question 3, arguing that top-two elections already work in municipal races. Boston, for example, uses preliminary elections in which the top two finishers advance to a final contest. Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau are among those who have joined the \u201cYes on 3\u201d campaign. The group also includes New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lungo-Koehn said the reform would bring \u201cmore competition, broader voter participation, and more accountability\u201d to Massachusetts elections. Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe called it a \u201cpractical reform,\u201d arguing that voters in state elections should get the same basic choice they already have in many municipal races.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Daniel Schlozman, a Johns Hopkins University political scientist, cautions against assuming that what works in a mayoral race will necessarily translate to statewide and federal politics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is very tempting to say this electoral system worked for me, and it is therefore good,\u201d Schlozman said of the mayors. He argued the political dynamics of a small city differ from those of statewide races, where national party identities, presidential politics, and ideological divisions play a much larger role. In a traditional partisan primary, party affiliation gives voters an immediate clue about where a candidate stands. In an all-party primary, voters could face a crowded field of candidates from the same party \u2014 or several candidates with different political affiliations competing side by side \u2014 and have to do more of the sorting themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4739488\/california-voter-id-ballot-measure-could-be-rare-gop-statewide-win-necessary-thwart-fraud-dems-warn-disenfranchisement\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4739488\">CALIFORNIA VOTER ID BALLOT MEASURE COULD BE RARE GOP STATEWIDE WIN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, opponents argue that races in California show that campaigns can become more dependent on candidates with the money, connections, or name recognition to introduce themselves to a much larger electorate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Massachusetts, that leaves California as both a case study and a cautionary tale.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Barnini Chakraborty (@Barnini) is a senior political reporter at the<\/em> Washington Examiner<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mass. GOP may win more House seats with new primary rules<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2674432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WB.Campaign.100726.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34483,6203,5610,46636],"class_list":["post-2674431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-electoral-reform","tag-gop","tag-massachusetts","tag-voting-reform"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WB.Campaign.100726.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2674431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2674431"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2674431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2674434,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2674431\/revisions\/2674434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2674432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2674431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2674431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2674431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}