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ELECTION COVERAGE 2026


A white, a-frame sign sits in front of Northampton City Hall, a red arrow pointing to the building. "Voting 2nd floor City Hall" it reads.

There is no easy answer to Massachusetts Ballot Question 3

Jonathan Gerhardson Oct 22, 2026 8 min read
The private equity-backed initiative would scrap party primaries in state elections. But would it solve the problem of apathy and Democratic dominance?
Trees lean over the Swift River — part of the Connecticut River watershed — as it meanders slowly through Ware, Massachusetts.

Question 6 has Massachusetts conservationists split

Dylan Vrins Oct 21, 2026 10 min read
The ballot measure would divert a small portion of state taxes towards conservation, but some prominent environmentalists have declined to endorse it.
Question 9 could repeal 2024 gun regulations

Question 9 could repeal 2024 gun regulations

Polly Hill Oct 15, 2026 8 min read
The measure has pitted gun clubs and manufacturers against teachers’ unions and others in favor of stronger regulations.
Question 2 could give public defenders the right to unionize

Question 2 could give public defenders the right to unionize

divina cordeiro Oct 8, 2026 10 min read
Committee for Public Counsel Services employees say they can better help guarantee the public’s Sixth Amendment right to legal representation if allowed to collectively bargain.
A single-family home sits on a green lawn behind a wooden picket fence.

Can Question 7’s zoning reform ease the housing crisis in Mass.?

Dylan Vrins Sep 25, 2026 9 min read
The ballot initiative would allow single-family homes to be built on residential lots as small as 5,000 square feet. Developers and some progressive groups say that will help first-time buyers. But others aren’t convinced.
Jeromie Whalen speaks to supporters at his election-night party on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. In the photo, he is wearing a brown, seemingly leather jacket with several patches on it, over a plaid button-up shirt. A "Team Whalen" graphic hangs behind him and he looks somber.

Western Massachusetts incumbents sweep primary elections

Dusty Christensen Sep 3, 2026 12 min read
Incumbency topped fundraising and political alignment as the best predictor of success for local Democrats on Tuesday, despite a leftward swing seen elsewhere in the country.
Will Whalen vs. Neal be the next congressional upset for Democrats?

Will Whalen vs. Neal be the next congressional upset for Democrats?

Dusty Christensen Aug 29, 2026 14 min read
Educator Jeromie Whalen is hoping his ground game and progressive message will resonate enough to take on Richard Neal’s decades of experience and corporate cash.
A collage of Corinne Coryat left, against a green background, and Lora Wondolowski, in a yard with a tractor partially pictured behind her.

Two self-described progressives vie for vacant Franklin County state representative seat

Dylan Vrins Aug 29, 2026 11 min read
Greenfield City Council President Lora Wondolowski and Corinne Coryat, an aide to former Rep. Natalie Blais, will face off in Tuesday’s primary election.
A collage depicting portraits of Angelo Puppolo, left, and Michael Lachenmeyer, right.

Longtime Rep. Angelo Puppolo faces challenge from the left in Michael Lachenmeyer

Brian Zayatz Aug 28, 2026 12 min read
Voters will decide in the Sept. 1 primary whether they’ll opt for Lachenmeyer’s progressive vision or stick with Puppolo’s decades of experience.
Michael Fenton, leaning forward to speak, and Tara Jacobs, are seated against a black background and an American flag.

Who will represent western Massachusetts on the influential Governor’s Council?

Dylan Vrins Aug 19, 2026 15 min read
Tara Jacobs, a progressive who has made her mark on the Governor’s Council over the last four years, faces a rematch from Michael Fenton, Springfield’s former City Council President.

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