Vote Yes

This ballot question would subject the Governor’s office and State Legislature to the public records law, the way it applies today to state agencies and municipal governments. Advocacy organizations doing youth justice focused work rely on data and transparency to identify disproportionately impacted groups to justify targeted systemic reform. An exception would be made for documents related to development of policy positions of legislators or the governor. The other exception is made for communications between a legislator's office and their constituents concerning a constituent's access to government services.

YES Endorsement: YesOnOne

Act on Mass

League of Women Voters Massachusetts

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance

Massachusetts Democratic Party

Massachusetts Republican Party

Massachusetts Voter Table

Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research

Our Revolution MA

Progressive Dems

Progressive Mass

NO Endorsement: no information found

CPCS attorneys and staff represent youth in child welfare, child requiring assistance (CRA), delinquency and criminal court cases. Living wages, caseloads and other working conditions are important to attract, retain and support attorneys and staff to represent children and youth in juvenile and criminal court proceedings. CfJJ is remaining neutral due to conflict of interest where we work closely with CPCS management as well as their staff and attorneys.

YES Endorsement: YesOnTwo

American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts

Massachusetts Defenders Union

Massachusetts Democratic Party

National Association of Government Employees

Progressive Mass

SEIU Local 888

Neutral:

Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS)

Massachusetts Republican Party

No Endorsement:

No information found

The political positions of elected officials from local district attorneys and sheriffs to Congressional legislators at the federal level decide the fate of policies and funding. Passing an all-party primary may result in candidates from the same political party advancing to the general election limiting diversity of political choices. To avoid vote splitting, political parties may pressure candidates to drop out to control which candidates advances to the general election further limited democratic opportunities for voters.

YES Endorsement:  Yes on 3

Partners in Democracy

Election Reformers Network

Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition

NAACP New England Area Conference

Open Primaries

Forward Party MA

Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts

NO Endorsement:Voter Rights MA

Progressive Mass

Mass Alliance

Act on Mass

Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Council SEIU

Massachusetts AFL-CIO

AFT Massachusetts

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

32BJ SEIU

Massachusetts Democratic Party

Massachusetts Republican Party

Youth, especially those with child welfare and legal system involvement face higher rates of housing insecurity. This is often due to frequently moving between placements and transitional housing. Every time a youth moves, they’ll need to update their voter registration. The current 10-day deadline to register disenfranchises youth who don’t have stable, permanent addresses. This initiative would allow youth to show up on Election Day with proof of their current residence and have the ability to vote, no matter how recently they’ve moved.

YES Endorsement:  

League of Women Voters Massachusetts

Common Cause MA

Progressive Massachusetts

ACLU Massachusetts

Mass Vote

Massachusetts Voter Table

Massachusetts AFL-CIO

American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts

1199 SEIU

Local 509 SEIU

32BJ SEIU

Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance

GLAD Law

JALSA

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless

UTEC

Partners in Democracy

Voter Choice Massachusetts

Worcester Interfaith

Massachusetts Democratic Party

NO Endorsement:

Massachusetts Republican Party

The massive tax revenue loss for the state would result in cuts to major programs that support children and families. Defunding these social safety nets fuels the school-to-prison pipeline, pushing youth into the legal system. The small refunds most people will receive will be off-set by the greater expenses families will need to pay for the services they need. Groups funding this initiative also benefit from receiving multi-million state grants, further crunching what would be left over for public services.

YES Endorsement:  Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts

Massachusetts Competitive Partnership

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance

Massachusetts High Technology Council

National Federation of Independent Business

Pioneer Institute

Retailers Association of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Republican Party

NO Endorsement: Protect Massachusetts Future

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center

Progressive Massachusetts

League of Women Voters Massachusetts

1199SEIU

Massachusetts American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Massachusetts Teachers Association

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

SEIU Local 609

SEIU Massachusetts State Council

Massachusetts Democratic Party

Environmental preservation is a necessity for young people to live healthy lives. A dedicated funding stream, rather than raising new funds, would also limit what is available for other funded services.

YES Endorsement:  Nature For MA

Appalachian Mountain Club

Sierra Club

Conservation Law Foundation

Mass Audubon Society

Environmental League of MA

Massachusetts Democratic Party

NO Endorsement:

Massachusetts Republican Party

This ballot question would allow the building of more small "starter homes" to address the need for housing supply in Massachusetts, different from the land size requirements for typical single-family homes. There are no affordable housing requirements and therefore CfJJ is neutral.

YES Endorsement:  Yes on 7

League of Women Voters Massachusetts

Pioneer Institute

Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association

Coalition for Social Justice and Education Fund

Progressive Massachusetts

Massachusetts Democratic Party

NO Endorsement:

Massachusetts Municipal Association

Massachusetts Republican Party

This question reverses the 2016 law decriminalizing marijuana expanding criminal justice involvement of sale and possession of marijuana. CfJJ opposing expanding the criminal justice system and instead supports policies that advance education and intervention over punitive measures.

YES Endorsement:  HealthierMA

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (out-of-state organization)

Neutral:

Massachusetts Republican Party

NO Endorsement:

Stop The Repeal MA

Marijuana Policy Project

Progressive Mass

Retailers Association of Massachusetts

SEIU Massachusetts State Council

Massachusetts Democratic Party

Gun violence is a public health crisis which disproportionately traumatizes youth and destabilizes communities. Upholding Massachusetts' strong gun laws focuses on prevention and community safety. A not vote would repeal the law essentially loosening gun regulations across the state and rollback protections against “ghost guns”, redefine assault-style firearms, broaden definitions of machine gun and silencer, remove school administrator and licensed healthcare workers from the list of roles that can request Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and much more.

YES Endorsement:  YesForASafeMA

Coalition for Social Justice Action Fund

League of Women Voters Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers Association

Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence

Progressive Massachusetts

Massachusetts Democratic Party

NO Endorsement: NoOn9

GOAL (Massachusetts NRA chapter)

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

Massachusetts Republican Party