THE MASS BRIEF

Thursday, November 5, 2026

THE LEAD

Massachusetts voted blue, but the real action is in the ballot-question fine print.

Gov. Maura Healey cruised past Republican Mike Minogue by more than 27 points, even though Minogue raised roughly three times her haul, including over $12 million of his own money. Boston.com notes he never shook his perceived ties to a president whose approval rating in the state sits around 25 percent. Sen. Ed Markey romped too, and the Times's demographic estimates show nearly every group swinging bluer than in 2024. The exception was voters 65 and older, who moved five points the other way. Fall River, which went Republican for president for the first time in a century in 2024, snapped back to Healey, and she ran up familiar numbers in Lawrence, Lynn, and Holyoke.

The more consequential story may be what voters did with a record-tying nine ballot questions. They said yes to public records access, as State Auditor Diana DiZoglio again got a measure aimed at opening up the Legislature's inner workings across the finish line. Election Day voter registration also passed, and a new state agency can now unionize. They said no to repealing cannabis and gun laws and to replacing party primaries with a top-two system. Two questions were still too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon, including Question 7, which would allow homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet where water and sewer exist. The "no" side led narrowly, 50.6 percent, with 94.4 percent of ballots counted.

What happens next is a Beacon Hill story. Legislative leaders now have to figure out how to comply with a public records law that finally covers them, and how to respond to voters on the other questions. Expect that to be awkward.

Full story at CommonWealth Beacon →

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Abortion law heads for a 2028 showdown. Opponents of the state's new abortion law, which takes effect Nov. 8, say they've gathered nearly double the signatures needed to suspend it and force a 2028 ballot vote. But Healey could attach an emergency preamble to block any suspension until then, as she did with a 2024 gun law. Final certification from Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office is still pending. Boston.com →

The MBTA chief will skip his own subpoena. General Manager Phil Eng, who is also Healey's interim transportation secretary, won't appear at Friday's Boston City Council hearing on the $164 million Blue Hill Avenue redesign, citing a previously planned family vacation. Councilor Miniard Culpepper, who pushed the rare subpoena, has said he's prepared to go to court. Lawyers warn that's legally murky, since it's unclear the council can compel a state employee. Boston Globe →

A family asks the City Council to make streets safer. The sister and parents of Louisa Gag, a city transportation planner killed in July while biking on Tremont Street, urged councilors to take "concrete steps" and hold the Wu administration accountable. The plea came a day before a council hearing on cyclist and pedestrian safety. Boston.com →

Lawrence votes under a cloud. With Mayor Brian DePeña and state Rep. Francisco Paulino both facing federal fraud and money-laundering charges (both have pleaded not guilty), the city's Election Day featured historically low turnout and uncontested races. Turnout ticked up slightly, but CommonWealth Beacon reports the city has a long way to go. CommonWealth Beacon →

Federal case against Harvard researcher collapses. A federal judge dismissed all charges against Kseniia Petrova, the Russian-born cancer researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos. The case unraveled after a judge ruled a customs officer improperly canceled her visa, and her lawyers argued the prosecution was vindictive. WBUR →

Neighbors to the north and south tell different stories. New Hampshire Democrats appear to have won big in the Legislature and the Executive Council, yet Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte won a second term, setting up split control in Concord. Meanwhile, Rhode Island voters rejected a $100 million economic development bond, partly over fears it would subsidize AI data centers, the first bond rejection there since 2006. GBH News → | Boston Globe →

WORTH YOUR ATTENTION

• Friday morning: The Boston City Council's Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity, and Immigrant Advancement meets on Blue Hill Avenue. Watch whether Eng's empty chair prompts a court fight. Boston Globe →
• Thursday: The City Council holds a hearing on cyclist and pedestrian safety, following the Gag family's testimony. Boston.com →
• Sunday, Nov. 8: The state's new abortion law takes effect, barring a suspension. Boston.com →

Track all bills →

Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Big Spending This Week

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

Full hearing schedule →

Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• Julie Bowditch (Democratic) — City Councilor, Worcester — Filed: 11/2/2026
• Robert Barcellos — Mayoral, Fall River — Filed: 10/30/2026

OCPF →

ONE MORE THING

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