Massachusetts voters to decide all-party primary plan

Massachusetts voters will decide whether to replace party-specific primaries with a single preliminary election in which the top two candidates advance to November, even if they belong to the same party. Supporters say the change could shift consequential contests from low-turnout primaries to the broader general-election electorate and increase accountability; they point to the state’s low legislative-election competitiveness and many uncontested races. Critics argue the change may not produce more competitive elections and could give wealthy candidates and donors greater influence. The proposal would change who advances, not who can vote in a primary: unenrolled voters can already choose either party’s ballot.