An Act increasing voter participation in primary elections
HD 1977 establishes a 10-member commission to study ways to increase voter participation in Massachusetts primary elections. The commission includes legislative leaders, election officials, advocacy groups, and representatives from major political parties. It will specifically examine implementing a "Top Two Primary system," party nomination rules, primary election dates, and potential changes to the current primary election structure. The commission must submit its findings and any recommended legislation to the state legislature within six months of the bill's passage. This bill itself does not change voting rules but creates a process to study potential reforms.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Apr 2, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Election Laws
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jamie Murphy
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about H 857
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand H 857. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline