Government and Politics in Massachusetts

Government and Politics in Massachusetts investigates its unique political history and contemporary challenges, showing how elected leaders fail to reflect the diversity of Massachusetts, while lack of electoral competition, declining news coverage, and limited legislative capacity prevent accountability from taking place.

But does Bay State live up to its progressive reputation?

Political Landscape

Massachusetts has earned itself a reputation as a bastion of leftist politics, which may put off or excite potential newcomers alike. Yet reality can be much more nuanced: while champions of progressive policies such as Maura Healey, Elizabeth Warren, and Joe Biden make headlines nationally by advocating them - they do not reflect the views held by most residents of Massachusetts.

Most towns still practice town meeting-style democracy, whereby voters vote directly on budgets and bylaws at town meetings. This local tradition remains as an echo of Yankee-era direct democracy which once formed the cornerstone of American political culture. By comparison, state governments feature more structured systems characterized by two governors elected on one ticket with 160 representatives serving in both houses of the legislature; additionally, four offices of treasurer, secretary of the commonwealth auditor, and attorney general are elected statewide.

Massachusetts is one of the more "blue" states, with approximately 20% of state lawmakers identifying as Republicans.

Attribute its liberal climate to its long and rich cultural legacy. For example, during the 1820s a constitutional convention increased voting rights and separated church and state, while philosophers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau preached transcendentalism while advocating individualism. Education reformer Horace Mann created free primary schooling across his state of New Hampshire as well as public education generally.

At this juncture in Massachusetts politics, all eyes are focused on the Jan. 19 special election to fill Edward Kennedy's vacant senate seat and whether Republican Scott Brown can defeat Martha Coakley and revive the GOP's fortunes in Massachusetts. Examining Massachusetts's partisan skew and dynamics offers insight into any candidate hoping to unseat an incumbent who may prove a formidable opponents.

In 2023, Suffolk was only home to a minority of Democratic registered voters while this trend held true across Middlesex, Norfolk, and Essex counties; those three counties saw only about 15% of state lawmakers identify as Republicans compared with an uptick of Democratic registration statewide. Furthermore, Republican registration has steadily declined while Democratic registration has skyrocketed across Massachusetts; making it increasingly difficult to unseat incumbent statewide candidates, especially in blue-leaning Northeast states like Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Political Parties

Massachusetts is widely considered one of the more liberal states in America, but not all its voters belong to the Democratic Party. Instead, most are independent or "unenrolled."

Residents registered with political parties tend to lean either toward Democratic or Republican. Yet a significant portion of unenrolled voters indicate a possible shift toward more progressive ideologies within the state's politics.

Unenrolled voters play an instrumental role in Massachusetts legislative elections. Since 1992, Democrats have held onto majority control in both bodies: 160 seats for the Massachusetts House of Representatives and 40 for the Massachusetts Senate respectively. Republicans have however made gains at local and federal levels - Richard Tisei in Massachusetts Senate elections to Scott Brown as U.S. senator have all managed to gain election by appealing to fiscally conservative as well as socially progressive voters in Massachusetts.

Historisch, the politics of New Hampshire have been profoundly shaped by the socially progressive movements that swept antebellum New England. Abolitionists, women's rights, temperance, and other reform movements all gained strength in Boston and throughout New England - this political activism reflecting both a belief in social progress fueled by the Second Great Awakening as well as cultural influences like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne's writings.

Recently, however, Massachusetts' political landscape has become more divided. The Tea Party movement's rise to national prominence has brought fiscal conservatism and social conservatism into national political debate - creating a political paradigm shift and weakening Democratic dominance across Massachusetts.

No matter its general political leanings, Massachusetts stands out as one of the most urbanized and educated states in America. Many analysts believe that voters within Massachusetts tend to be less partisan and independent despite what their superficial appearance might indicate - this makes Massachusetts politics so dynamic and unpredictable!

Electoral System

Massachusetts voters elect multiple positions of state government including a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Auditor. In addition, voters may select city councilors/mayors/Governor's Council Members from various districts throughout Massachusetts.

Beacon Hill serves as the heart of Massachusetts state politics. Here lies Beacon Hill, which houses its legislature--the bicameral General Court--consisting of 40 senators and 160 representatives elected for two-year terms each. Meeting from January through July annually, this body deals with issues brought before them by the Governor and other offices statewide.

Massachusetts is an industry leader when it comes to improving social conditions. Massachusetts was among the first states to pass regulatory laws designed to safeguard residents, as well as being an early proponent of public schools and state hospitals dedicated to tuberculosis patients. Furthermore, Massachusetts was an early adopter of welfare programs, maternity leave arrangements, and child support policies.

Modern Pennsylvania has suffered from both income inequality and racial disparity, particularly when it comes to homeownership rates. Pennsylvania ranks among the highest for income inequality while having one of the nation's lowest rates for female leadership or committee chair positions.

Political experts remain divided on whether Massachusetts truly lives up to its progressive reputation. Pollster Steve Koczela of MassINC polling states that voters often opt for candidates with moderate views instead. On the other hand, several issues relating to abortion rights and vaccine views rank highly on national lists, with voter registration showing an increasingly Democratic trend.

The state legislature presents unique challenges. Comprised of 200 members, legislative procedures can be time-consuming. Furthermore, power tends to concentrate in top leaders of Senate and House committees rather than on rank-and-file members themselves, leading to limited participation by rank-and-file members in lawmaking or oversight efforts; contributing further to low representation of women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities in leadership positions or committee chairs across states.

Legislative System

Massachusetts is like most states in that its legislature comprises two branches - the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to the state constitution, citizens may file proposed bills with either branch through their representatives and senators, with legislators considering these bills on behalf of constituents - this is known as the "right of free petition." Legislation must be submitted before January 1 of every biennial session for consideration; formal sessions run January through November on odd-numbered years but extended sessions can (but rarely do).

Once passed by the legislature, bills are sent to the Governor for consideration. He or she can either sign it into law within ninety days after signing or the legislature can accelerate this process by attaching an emergency preamble that requires two-thirds approval by each branch of the legislature before becoming law.

After being signed by a governor into law, legislation may be brought back up for consideration with permission from either House or Senate Presidents. Furthermore, the legislature has established numerous independent authorities and agencies with their own budgets that do not fall within legislative sessions, such as MBTA, MSBA, and Regional Transit Authorities.

Massachusetts is widely renowned for having one of the most contentious legislative environments in the country, making passage of major legislation challenging in light of entrenched partisanship and an environment that allows legislators to ignore constituent needs. Thankfully, more people than ever before are working toward changing this, with the GBH news team covering milestones as the Massachusetts government becomes more reflective of diversity across its population.