Today, only Democrats and Republicans get a primary. Question 3 puts every party and every independent on the same primary ballot, under the same rules.

Massachusetts has the least competitive elections in the country – most elected officials never face a real rival. In many districts, the only possible challenger is a small-party or independent candidate. But the current rules keep those candidates off the primary ballot and off the endorsement line until November. By then, they’re dismissed as spoilers. Small parties and independents give voters a real alternative, but without official party status they can’t hold a primary or put an endorsement on the ballot, and most voters don’t see them until November.

Question 3 changes that by putting all the parties – major and minor – on the same ballot in September.

Official party status, without the spoiler fight.

Today, the Green-Rainbow, Working Families, Forward and other small parties are legally considered “political designations,” not actual political parties. One of the main ways to become a party is if a designation wins 3% of the vote for a statewide office in November – where a candidate would often be labeled a “spoiler”. Under Question 3, that 3% can come from the September primary, where a vote for a small-party candidate isn’t “wasted” among a larger field of candidates.

That means we’re likely to see more “major” political parties under Question 3 because the “spoiler” dynamic is no longer in effect, which makes voters more likely to choose them at this stage.

One ballot. Same rules.

Under Question 3, every candidate runs in the same September primary. Same nomination papers. Same signatures. Same ballot, in front of every voter. For example, a Green-Rainbow Party or a Libertarian Party candidate would be listed right next to a Democrat or Republican. Finish there as one of the top-two favorites, and you’re a real contender in November – not a protest vote.

Your endorsement, printed on the ballot.

Question 3 would allow, for the first time, any party or political designation to put “Endorsed by the [party name]” next to a candidate they are endorsing, if that candidate agrees. This is a powerful way to leverage grassroots power. Voters see who stands with whom before they vote. Small parties can hold their endorsement for the candidate most aligned with their views. Learn how ballot endorsements work under Question 3.

Opportunity for unenrolled candidates who think differently.

About two-thirds of Massachusetts voters are unenrolled. Under Question 3, an unenrolled candidate can run on the same ballot as everyone else and carry endorsements from several parties at once. That’s a coalition candidate, who has no ability to appear on today’s primary ballot.

Small parties can win.

In 155 of 200 legislative districts this year – most of Massachusetts – there is no Democrat-versus-Republican race in November. Under Question 3, in those districts, a small-party candidate who finishes second in September is the other name on the November ballot, in front of the biggest and most diverse electorate of the year.

Alaska opened its primary to all voters in 2022. Today five of its 40 state representatives are independents, and the Speaker of the House is one of them.

Who’s against this, and why.

Both major parties oppose Question 3. They say they’re worried that all-party primaries will “hurt” small parties. We believe they’re worried, just not for that reason. Question 3 would actually empower voters and small parties, putting every party on the same ballot, under the same rules and in front of every voter. That’s a threat to insiders who benefit from the status quo. But strong parties don’t fear voters. They earn them.

Vote Yes on 3 on November 3.