REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of DANIELLE SUSAN ALLEN AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT ALL-PARTY STATE PRIMARIES (see House, No. 5003).

This report recommends that the Massachusetts Legislature take no action on a petition to replace the state's current partisan primary system with an all-party primary. Under the proposed change, candidates from all parties would run together in a single primary election, with only the top two vote-geters advancing to the general election regardless of their party affiliation. The committee cited concerns about potential vote splitting, reduced party accountability, and possible decreases in overall voter turnout based on evidence from other states that have adopted similar systems. The report also noted significant administrative and fiscal challenges associated with implementing this new election structure at both the state and municipal levels.