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Democracy is on the Ballot: Vote Yes on Questions 1, 3, & 4!
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Democracy is on the Ballot on November 3rd. Massachusetts has a chance to make our elections more representative and our government more accountable by voting Yes on Questions 1 (Public Records), 3 (All Party Primaries), and 4 (Election Day Registration). Partners In Democracy has led on building support for these ballot measures, elevating the voices of people in marginalized communities, and connecting with folks in every corner of our Commonwealth.
In the latest edition of the Bay State Banner, public health expert Craig Andrade and PID President & CEO Jerren Chang wrote about how yes on Question 3 can improve representation and accountability:
People of color make up 29% of Massachusetts’s population but hold only 17% of seats in the Legislature. In states with a similar all-party primary system, legislators are much more representative of their population in race, gender and age. And politicians are more likely to listen when they face meaningful competition.
Representation means accountability and that is evident when it comes to the public’s health. Research consistently finds that communities with higher civic participation see better health outcomes and that legislatures with more representative membership produce policy that better serves the people affected by it. We saw the harms of inadequate representation during COVID-19 here in Massachusetts, when communities that had long been shut out of decision-making bore the worst of the pandemic’s toll.
Craig and Jerren conclude:
Massachusetts has a long history of national leadership on civil rights, racial justice and public health. This November, we have the chance to lead again — by giving every voter a real say in who represents them. Representation means accountability. Accountability means better outcomes for our communities. Vote yes on Question 3.
Jerren also spoke to MASSterList about how All-Party Primaries can deliver more voice to more voters.
PID MA Action has been making the case for Democracy on the Ballot across the Commonwealth, delivering presentations to local groups, talking to people at local events, and training activists to lead the way in their own communities. If you’d like to volunteer, sign up here!
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