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Massachusetts voters keep legal marijuana and gun law, add public records, as starter homes question hangs in balance

Nine questions covered records, voting, taxes, marijuana, guns and housing. Here is where each stands in AP results with about 80% of votes counted.

Politics

Voters approved several ballot questions yesterday that will affect how government operates in Massachusetts, covering public records, voter registration and conservation funding.

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All 9 Mass. ballot questions in 4 minutes: What to know

Keeping it all straight is tough. Here's what each question would do.

Bay State voters will face a record-tying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nine statewide ballot questions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/26/massachusetts-ballot-questions-2026-november-election-beacon-hill-legislature-voters" data-vars-content-id="2e484781-cce3-4033-b808-bc69da9d3007" data-vars-headline="All 9 Mass. ballot questions in 4 minutes: What to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/26/massachusetts-ballot-questions-2026-november-election-beacon-hill-legislature-voters" target="_self">nine statewide ballot questions</a> Tuesday, covering elections, taxes, housing, marijuana, guns and government transparency.Why it matters: Keeping it all straight as you head into the voting booth is tough. Here&#x27;s what each question would do.

Celtics owners give record $200M to Boston Children's

The money will fund a pediatric mental health facility, nurse training and childhood disease research. Half comes from Rob and Karen Hale's earlier pledge.

The owners of the Celtics are giving $200 million to Boston Children&#x27;s Hospital, the largest gift in the hospital&#x27;s history.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="money from the Celts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/celtics-owners-donation-boston-childrens-hospital/" data-vars-content-id="037f6404-dfbd-4a53-b6b9-a735c29b62ac" data-vars-headline="Celtics owners give record $200M to Boston Children&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/celtics-owners-donation-boston-childrens-hospital/" target="_blank">money from the Celts</a> will fund a pediatric mental health center, research and nurse training at the region&#x27;s premier children&#x27;s hospital.

Here's what's next for Massachusetts' approved ballot measures

Getting the vote is one battle. Implementing a successful ballot measure is another.

Massachusetts voters approved four <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot measures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/11/04/massachusetts-ballot-questions-results-2026-election-marijuana-gun-law-question-7-voter-registration-primaries-public-records" data-vars-content-id="b6cb15c2-d0d0-44c9-8ba2-ae753afc63c4" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next for Massachusetts&#x27; approved ballot measures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/11/04/massachusetts-ballot-questions-results-2026-election-marijuana-gun-law-question-7-voter-registration-primaries-public-records" target="_self">ballot measures</a> that could reshape parts of state government, but the road to implementation is rarely speedy and smooth.Why it matters: Even proposals backed by the majority of voters aren&#x27;t immune to the Beacon Hill treatment, whether it&#x27;s the slow-moving gears of government agencies or outright opposition by the Democratic-majority Legislature.

Mass. ballot questions spur $45K in trades 

Elections are a spectator sport, and prediction markets are cashing in.

Massachusetts&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="f6e4720c-7ff0-45f3-82ac-29d2c089b0ca" data-vars-headline="Mass. ballot questions spur $45K in trades " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" target="_self">long list</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="f6e4720c-7ff0-45f3-82ac-29d2c089b0ca" data-vars-headline="Mass. ballot questions spur $45K in trades " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" target="_self"> </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of ballot questions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="f6e4720c-7ff0-45f3-82ac-29d2c089b0ca" data-vars-headline="Mass. ballot questions spur $45K in trades " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/30/massachusetts-ballot-questions-what-to-know" target="_self">of ballot questions</a> became political fodder for traders on prediction markets like Kalshi.Why it matters: Elections are a spectator sport, and while some users cash in, the biggest winners are the companies behind the platforms.

Failed repeal campaign united cannabis businesses. Here's what's next

Cannabis businesses across Mass. breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday, but the work's not done.

A proposal to kill Massachusetts&#x27; legal cannabis industry flamed out Tuesday, with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resounding no vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/11/02/massachusetts-question-8-cannabis-legal" data-vars-content-id="707adb5c-adbd-47b0-897a-5002bad78edc" data-vars-headline="Failed repeal campaign united cannabis businesses. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/11/02/massachusetts-question-8-cannabis-legal" target="_self">resounding no vote</a>.<ul><li>Now comes the hard part for the industry: Keeping the momentum going to make the legal market more accessible to those harmed by the War on Drugs.</li></ul>

Healey and Markey win reelection in Massachusetts

The Democratic incumbents defeated Republicans Mike Minogue and John Deaton, the AP projected, as affordability and the national GOP dominated both races.

Gov. Maura Healey easily won a second four-year term Tuesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defeating Republican Mike Minogue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/09/massachusetts-governor-debate-healey-minogue-trump-wbz-taxes-costs-election" data-vars-content-id="b26ba278-d3ac-4957-8084-d13ba803e289" data-vars-headline="Healey and Markey win reelection in Massachusetts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/10/09/massachusetts-governor-debate-healey-minogue-trump-wbz-taxes-costs-election" target="_self">defeating Republican Mike Minogue</a> and independent Andrea James, the Associated Press projected shortly after 8pm. Why it matters: The state&#x27;s first elected female governor returns to Beacon Hill with a renewed mandate to tackle the housing, energy and affordability crises that are most affecting life in the commonwealth.

Mass. dispensaries make their final push to keep pot sales legal

Business owners are talking politics at the dispensary counter, hoping to save the legal market.

Dispensaries across Massachusetts have turned into billboards and field offices campaigning against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Question 8" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/massachusetts-cannabis-industry-repeal-opposition" data-vars-content-id="1fdeb3f1-bf8c-4e91-904e-0c94cdc9d840" data-vars-headline="Mass. dispensaries make their final push to keep pot sales legal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/massachusetts-cannabis-industry-repeal-opposition" target="_self">Question 8</a>, in hopes of stopping a repeal of the legal cannabis market.The big picture: Business owners will soon find out if they&#x27;ll continue in an uphill battle to make profits in an increasingly fraught market or, should the measure pass, end up in free fall.

Galvin: No one will interfere at the polls, federal or "self-appointed vigilantes"

Secretary William Galvin says federal observers are welcome in Boston and Lowell, but he's also wary of some who say they're protecting voters.

Massachusetts&#x27;s top elections official doesn&#x27;t expect the Trump administration to interfere in Tuesday&#x27;s election, but he is wary of how outside groups might respond to federal involvement.Why it matters: While states with more competitive races face the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="threat of federal law enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/11/02/doj-election-monitors-adams-county-colorado-what-to-expect" data-vars-content-id="27b96b8a-c1a8-4076-8070-a855aa73382f" data-vars-headline="Galvin: No one will interfere at the polls, federal or &quot;self-appointed vigilantes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/11/02/doj-election-monitors-adams-county-colorado-what-to-expect" target="_self">threat of federal law enforcement</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" encroaching on their elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/10/29/chicago-election-day-security-ice-voter-intimidation" data-vars-content-id="27b96b8a-c1a8-4076-8070-a855aa73382f" data-vars-headline="Galvin: No one will interfere at the polls, federal or &quot;self-appointed vigilantes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/10/29/chicago-election-day-security-ice-voter-intimidation" target="_self"> encroaching on their elections</a>, Massachusetts doesn&#x27;t seem to be a target of the Trump administration.

Mass. voters to decide on Election Day voter registration

The measure would let eligible voters register or update addresses at the polls, starting in 2028.

Voters will decide Tuesday whether eligible Massachusetts residents can register to vote or update their address at the polls on Election Day.Why it matters: Massachusetts is the only New England state without any form of Election Day registration.

Question 2 puts Mass. public defenders' fight on the ballot

Voters will decide whether to give public defenders the right to unionize.

Public Safety

In the Nov. 3 election, Massachusetts voters will decide whether public defenders under the Committee for Public Counsel Services can unionize.Why it matters: Blue Massachusetts once again finds itself putting a union fight to a referendum, this time affecting the quality — and likely the cost — of legal representation for people who can&#x27;t afford one in criminal cases.<ul><li>Indigent legal representation costs taxpayers, but it&#x27;s also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="constitutionally required" data-vars-click-url="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt6-6-3-1/ALDE_00013437/" data-vars-content-id="3bbeb9a2-52ed-40fe-97cb-5da01be916b5" data-vars-headline="Question 2 puts Mass. public defenders&#x27; fight on the ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt6-6-3-1/ALDE_00013437/" target="_blank">constitutionally required</a>.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Here's what's next for Massachusetts' approved ballot measures

Mass. ballot questions spur $45K in trades

Failed repeal campaign united cannabis businesses. Here's what's next

Massachusetts voters keep legal marijuana and gun law, add public records, as starter homes question hangs in balance

Healey and Markey win reelection in Massachusetts