Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Eleven ballot initiatives in Massachusetts faced legal challenges, with three high-profile campaigns—including rent control, income tax cuts, and legislative stipend reform—removed due to violations of constitutional rules. The Supreme Judicial Court and attorney general ruled these measures noncompliant with Article 48, which restricts unrelated provisions and specific topics in ballot questions.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court removed a rent control ballot measure from consideration, citing that its exemption for religious institutions improperly involved religious matters under the state constitution. The initiative, pushed by tenant advocacy groups, would have required all cities and towns to impose rent limits tied to inflation or 5%, but faced opposition from real estate industry groups.

Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court approved a ballot proposal for 'jungle primaries,' where all candidates for an office appear on the same primary ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election unless one secures over 50% in the primary. Voters will decide in November whether to adopt the system, following a lawsuit arguing it violates the state constitution, which the court rejected.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court approved the state attorney general's lawsuit against Meta Platforms, alleging the company's platform design contributed to youth addiction. The case focuses on Meta's alleged practices in creating social media platforms rather than content moderation.