The proposed bill aims to implement an all-party primary system for state elections, eliminating traditional political party primaries. Under this new system, all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, will be listed on a single ballot, allowing voters to select any candidate. The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in this primary will advance to the general election. Additionally, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor must run jointly and be listed together on the primary ballot. The bill also establishes criteria for political party status, granting it to any group whose candidates receive at least 3% of the votes in the state primary.

To facilitate this transition, the bill amends various sections of the General Laws, including changes to the definitions and procedures related to nominations and ballots. Notable amendments include the removal of certain sentences that previously defined political party participation and the introduction of new provisions for how candidates are nominated and how ballots are structured. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2028, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is deemed invalid, the remainder will still be enforceable.

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