Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot measures in November 2026, tying 1972, 1976, and 1994 for the second-highest number in state history. Secretary of State William Galvin (D) announced on July 17 that campaigns for eight initiative petitions had collected enough valid signatures to qualify their measures for the ballot. A previously certified veto referendum brings the total to nine.
Initiated measures in Massachusetts are indirect. While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have until the first Wednesday of May in the election year to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, proponents must collect a second round of signatures supporting the measure.
The Massachusetts General Court chose not to take action on any of the initiatives. Campaigns supporting the initiatives submitted a second round of signatures with the secretary of state by July 8, 2026. Secretary of State William Galvin (D) announced that the campaigns supporting all eight initiative petitions submitted more than the required number of signatures. The measures were therefore certified for the November 2026 ballot.
