Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin Defends Ballot Questions Amid Legislative Reform Push
Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin has defended the state's ballot question process, calling it a 'safety valve for democracy' amidst ongoing legislative efforts to reform it. Lawmakers are currently negotiating changes to how initiative petitions get on the ballot, with proposals including increased geographic signature requirements, enhanced campaign finance disclosures, restrictions on paid signature collection, higher vote thresholds for certain ballot items, and expanded legislative power to override voter-approved measures. Galvin emphasized that while procedural changes might be considered, the fundamental concept of citizen lawmaking should remain intact. This comes as the state faces a particularly active election cycle with nine questions going before voters in November, tying the record for the most in state history. The House and Senate have passed different bills aimed at reforming the process, which are now in conference committee.
