Massachusetts is experiencing one of its most active ballot question seasons in decades, with nine measures set for a vote in the November general election. As campaigns align either in support or opposition, fundraising efforts have already surpassed $17 million, a total expected to grow significantly in the coming months.
As of early June, committees involved in these ballot measures reported raising nearly $10 million just this year, alongside previous fundraising from 2024, bringing the total to approximately $17.9 million. Spending related to promoting or opposing these initiatives has already exceeded $7.6 million.
Among the most heavily funded campaigns is a coalition seeking to ban recreational marijuana sales, which has spent more than $7.6 million—including over $6.5 million in direct expenditures and more than $1.1 million in in-kind contributions such as staff time. This group faces strong opposition from the state’s cannabis industry, with the Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation raising $1.5 million and receiving backing from industry stakeholders, including a $100,000 contribution from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition’s executive director, Ryan Dominguez, emphasized the critical need for funding to protect the industry.
Another prominent measure involves eliminating state party primaries. The campaign behind this initiative raised over $2.9 million and expended $2.7 million, making it the largest single committee fundraiser so far. The coalition, known as Healthy Democracy and led by Harvard professor Danielle Allen, drew substantial donations from private equity executives, including $500,000 contributions from Andrew Balson of Cove Hill Partners and David Peeler of Berkshire Partners. The group has spent around $1 million on television advertising, though the campaign manager, Jesse Littlewood, indicated there has been no ad airing yet and acknowledged the challenges of shaping policy through ballot questions.
In addition, a question concerning changes to the automatic taxpayer refund formula, which has sparked debate over its potential impact on state and local services, shows significant union involvement. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Massachusetts State Council donated $250,000 to the ‘Protect Massachusetts Future’ campaign opposing the change, stressing concerns about cuts to public services and layoffs for essential workers. A business-backed effort supporting the alteration, 'Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts,' has raised over $368,000 to promote the measure.
Labor unions have also supported a ballot question granting public defenders the right to unionize, providing $226,000 in funding. Tom McKeever, president of SEIU Local 888, highlighted how unionizing would offer stability and workplace protections for public defenders.
A ballot question sponsored by Secretary of State William F. Galvin that would permit same-day voter registration has raised nearly $80,000, with Galvin personally contributing $29,000.
Other initiatives include a conservation-backed measure to direct tax revenue from sporting goods and recreational activities toward environmental protection, which has raised nearly $1.3 million. Meanwhile, a firearm regulation repeal measure raised about $123,000 and has met opposition from gun safety advocates who secured over $664,000 in support.
Past efforts have also seen significant financial mobilization, including a now-invalidated 2025 rent control proposal that drew nearly $30 million in opposition from real estate groups before being removed from the ballot by the state’s highest court.
With a broad range of policy issues at stake and significant funding from unions, businesses, private equity, and advocacy groups, Massachusetts voters will face a consequential ballot this November. Campaign finance reports will continue to track growing expenditures as election day approaches.