Broad coalition gathers at State House before formally submitting signatures for All-Party Primary initiative

BOSTON – The Coalition for Healthy Democracy rallied with supporters, volunteers and community leaders before formally delivering signatures for a 2026 ballot question aimed to energize Massachusetts democracy through All-Party Primaries.

Following the speaking program, coalition members will walked the certified signatures to state officials for submission.

Speakers included:
Jesse Littlewood – Campaign Manager, Coalition for Healthy Democracy
Danielle Allen – Coalition for Healthy Democracy
Jennifer Nassour – Former Chair, Massachusetts Republican Party
Kevin Johnson – Executive Director, Election Reformers Network
Nathan Lockwood – Co-founder, Rank the Vote

The Coalition for Healthy Democracy is focused on an All-Party Primary ballot question to make Massachusetts politics more open, accessible and competitive. The proposed reform would replace restrictive, party-controlled primaries with a single, open preliminary election where all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. The top two finishers would advance to the general election – a system already used in mayoral races across Massachusetts.

This approach would:

  • Boost participation by allowing every voter – including the state’s large bloc of independents – to vote for any candidate of their choice
  • Reduce turnout gaps and break down partisan logjam
  • Encourage candidates to build broader coalitions rather than cater to narrow partisan bases
  • Increase competition and give voters meaningful choices
  • Break partisan gridlock and curb special-interest influence
  • Open the door to new voices and new leadership in state politics

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, Massachusetts boldly led the revolution and built our democracy,” said Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy. “Now it’s time for Massachusetts to lead the renovation of American democracy with All-Party Primaries. All over this Commonwealth, people feel like their votes don’t matter and that they have no choices on their ballot. This leads to the alienation, disconnection and frustration that are the breeding ground of toxic politics. With All-Party Primaries, every election is competitive; every voter has a voice; and the people have the strongest voice. No one’s vote is taken for granted. This is what we need for a healthy democracy, and that’s why I support this.”

“The Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition supports All-Party Primaries because this reform will help dismantle the barriers that have too often limited the political power of women of color and our communities,” said Celia Johnston Blue, president and CEO, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition. “In an All-Party Primary, no community’s vote can be taken for granted, and every candidate must show up, listen and earn the trust of the people they seek to represent. All-Party Primaries broaden participation, open doors for new voices and give voters real choices to determine who speaks for them. By making our elections more inclusive, competitive and accountable, this reform moves us closer to a Commonwealth where authentic inclusion is the norm and where every woman of color – and every community of color – can exercise a full and equal voice in our democracy.

“The political process is broken because the voices of too many people are not heard,” said Tanisha Sullivan, president of the NAACP New England Area Conference. “The NAACP New England Area Conference supports All-Party Primaries because we believe that every voter deserves a system that gives them a real voice in choosing who represents them. Too often, voters from underserved communities of color and the working class are treated as an afterthought. Our voices not heard, our concerns sidelined and our support taken for granted. This reform makes clear that candidates must earn every vote, in every neighborhood. It extends what we already do in municipal elections to our state elections. All-Party Primaries strengthen our democracy by increasing participation and removing barriers that have historically limited the political power of under-resourced communities. When more people can fully and equally participate, we build a system that is more inclusive, more accountable, and more responsive to the needs of everyday people. This reform also gives voters genuine choices. It creates a healthier, more competitive electoral environment where candidates must speak to the full electorate and where communities that have been underserved can exert the influence they deserve. All-Party Primaries move us closer to a Commonwealth where representation is earned – not assumed – and where every vote truly has the power to shape our future.”

“Beacon Hill is failing to address the major challenges faced by its residents, including, but not limited to, housing and healthcare costs, transportation chaos and economic mobility,” said Nathan Lockwood, co-founder of Rank the Vote. “The State House is now even trying to roll back hard-won progress in areas like energy and climate. To constituents and public interest advocates, the legislature often presents as an impenetrable monolith with no shame in openly denying the popular will – they have no fear of being challenged. All-Party Primaries with top-two general elections are a simple change with an important purpose – so long as we are trapped in a one-party system in Massachusetts, we should at least maximize voter’s voices within that system’s limits and reduce barriers to those who would compete to serve. All party primaries are a legitimate, proven election format, nearly identical to what we have long used in our city elections. Similar systems have been operating successfully for decades in other states. This change will not solve every problem with our elections or legislature, but it is easy to understand, more accessible for voters and candidates alike and will increase government accountability, giving stronger incentives to our representatives to find better solutions to our needs all around.”

“Toxic polarization is turning America into a cauldron of hate, partly because of old bad rules inside our democracy itself,” said Kevin Johnson, co-founder of the Election Reformers Network. “All-Party Primaries are a huge step forward toward real choice for all voters, true accountability for government and real leadership focused on healing divisions and tackling the challenges ahead. We need a system that lets all voters choose among all candidates in the primaries. That change will help create healthy competition, broader representation and a thriving Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Veterans stepped forward to defend our democracy overseas,” said Eric Bronner, Navy veteran and founder of Veterans for All Voters. “We shouldn’t have to fight for a meaningful vote here at home. All-Party Primaries are about giving every voter – regardless of party – an equal say in choosing the leaders who make decisions for all of us. Nationally, over 50% of military veterans are independent or unenrolled voters. We cannot rebuild trust in our democracy while sidelining the very people who have stepped up to protect it. It’s time to make our elections truly belong to voters, not political parties.”

To stay updated on the Coalition, visit coalitionforhealthydemocracy.org.

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