State Ballot Law Commission

Massachusetts voters will decide in November whether to repeal legal marijuana after a challenge to the proposal was rejected. The State Ballot Law Commission overruled an objection to the petition seeking to end the state’s recreational cannabis law, allowing the proposal to appear on the ballot.

Jordan Korgood, a trans woman running for the Massachusetts Governor’s Council, was disqualified after an opponent challenged her residency status. The State Ballot Law Commission ruled against her due to her use of an old New York address for voting while unhoused, leading her to suspend her campaign. A law professor criticized the challenge as a selective application of residency laws.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld Michael Walsh's eligibility to appear on the September primary ballot for attorney general, ruling that an objection against him lacked proper certification. Anne Manning Martin’s campaign for lieutenant governor remains unresolved as her appeal to stay on the ballot is pending. The court emphasized time-sensitive ballot deadlines in its decision.

Michael Walsh's name will remain on the September primary ballot after a judge ruled the State Ballot Law Commission lacked jurisdiction to remove it due to alleged fraudulent nomination signatures. The judge also found the complaint against Walsh was improperly served, leading to the commission's decision being overturned. The commission plans to appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

A cannabis advocacy group led by Kevin Gilnack challenges the validity of signatures for a ballot question seeking to repeal recreational marijuana legalization, alleging fraudulent collection methods. The State Ballot Law Commission will hold a hearing to evaluate the challenge, as the campaign narrowly met signature requirements with a 122-signature margin. The proposal faces opposition despite previous legal setbacks and is funded by SAM Action Inc., a 501(c)(4) organization.