WPRI-TV

Massachusetts voters decided nine statewide ballot questions in the 2026 midterm election, covering public records, labor rights, elections, taxes, land use, and public safety. Question 1 would expand the state's Public Records Law to cover most legislative and gubernatorial records. Question 2 would grant collective bargaining rights to Committee for Public Counsel Services employees. Questions 3 and 4 address primary election structure and Election Day voter registration, respectively. Question 5 would cap state revenue growth with taxpayer rebates, while Question 6 creates a conservation fund from sporting goods and recreational taxes. Question 7 eases single-family home construction rules, Question 8 would repeal retail recreational marijuana sales, and Question 9 is a referendum on the state's 2024 gun law.

Chief Judge John McConnell granted summary judgment for Providence City Councilman Miguel Sanchez, ruling that Gov. Dan McKee's top aides, Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso and Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Almond, violated Sanchez's First Amendment rights by firing him from a constituent-services role in 2023 over social media posts criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire. McConnell found Sanchez spoke as a private citizen, his firing drew far more public and media attention than the posts themselves, and other staffers who posted dissenting views were not disciplined. McKee's office disagrees with the ruling and is reviewing its options; a trial on damages remains ahead. Sanchez, soon to be City Council president, called it a free speech victory.

Candidates in Rhode Island's 2026 governor's race have spent about $9.9 million combined, making it the cheapest contest in inflation-adjusted terms since 2006 and well below the $14.8–$22.2 million range of the last three cycles. Democratic nominee Helena Foulkes accounts for roughly 69% of that spending at about $6.8 million, followed by Gov. Dan McKee, who lost the September primary to her, at nearly $2.6 million. Independent Ken Block and Republican nominee Aaron Guckian have spent far less. Analysts attribute the drop-off to a thin post-primary field, though outside spending by parties and unions is filling some of the gap and rising media costs continue to push overall campaign costs higher.

Massachusetts voters face a record nine ballot questions this cycle, including Question 3, which would replace the state's partisan primary with a "top-two" system: all candidates appear on one primary ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. Approval would make Massachusetts the third state, after California and Washington, to use the model.

Supporters, including the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, argue the change empowers the state's large unenrolled-voter bloc (67% of the electorate) and increases competitiveness. Opponents, such as Voter Rights MA, warn it could let two candidates from the same party reach November, reducing choice and entrenching the two-party system. A recent Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll showed supporters with a narrow lead. If passed, the system could begin in 2028, though lawmakers could amend or delay it.

Providence officials have asked retired federal judge William Smith to provide independent legal analysis of Question 7, a citizen ballot initiative that would require the city to divest from countries and companies linked to genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation. The measure, backed by Providence for Palestine, is widely understood to target investments tied to Israel over the war in Gaza, though the ordinance does not name any country. City Solicitor Jeff Dana sought outside review after the Law Department's initial guidance drew criticism. Mayor Brett Smiley calls the ordinance unlawful and unmanageable, while city officials warn it could jeopardize the underfunded pension system. Mayoral candidates David Morales and Dave Talan are split on the measure.