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Political parties and political designations in Massachusetts

(Redirected from List of political parties in Massachusetts)

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (a U.S. state), there are three recognized political parties and an additional 29 political designations in which registered voters may choose to enroll. Voters may also choose to remain as "unenrolled voters" (i.e., independents). Political parties hold primary elections, while political designations do not. A political designation is a one-to-three word descriptive term which may appear next to candidates' names on election ballots.

Background

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To be recognized as a political designation in Massachusetts, fifty registered voters must file a document with the state seeking this status. To be recognized as a political party, a designation must either have obtained at least 3% of the vote for any state-wide office at the preceding biennial state election, or have enrolled at least 1% of all registered voters.[1]

Election ballots include the candidates' names followed by either the candidates' party or their designation. In many cases, non-party designations still include the word "party" in their name. In 2023, however, only three such designations are recognized as parties: the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Libertarian Party.

Enrolled and unenrolled voters

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In Massachusetts, registered voters may choose to (1) enroll in a political party; (2) enroll with a political designation; or (3) choose to be an unenrolled voter (i.e., an independent).[2][3]

Voters may change their enrollment status with their election official, with a deadline ten days before an election.[2]

All registered voters may vote in general elections. Massachusetts voters enrolled in a particular party may vote only in that party's primary, and cannot cross-over to vote in another party's primary,[2] but "unenrolled" voters may cast a primary ballot for any one of the parties.[4][5] Political designations are treated as "unenrolled" voters for primary purposes, and so they too may choose to vote in one of the party primaries.[4]

Under Massachusetts law, a political designation is created when fifty registered Massachusetts voters "file a form with the Secretary of the Commonwealth requesting that they, or any other voters, may change their registration to such designation."[6] These non-party political designations may field candidates for statewide office, if they petition with a sufficient number of signatures (10,000).[7]

The various political designations have generally small membership, although they have attracted some media attention.[8][3]

List of current parties and designations

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As of 2023, the Secretary of the Commonwealth listed three officially recognized political parties and 30 officially recognized political designations in Massachusetts.[2][9][10]

Designation MA Abbreviation Type
Democratic Party D political party
Republican Party R political party
Libertarian L political party
America First Party V non-party political designation
American Independent Party Q non-party political designation
American Term Limits BB non-party political designation
Conservative Party A non-party political designation
Constitution Party K non-party political designation
Green Party USA G non-party political designation
Green-Rainbow Party J non-party political designation
Interdependent 3rd Party T non-party political designation
Latino-Vote Party EE non-party political designation
Massachusetts Independent Party O non-party political designation
Natural Law Party B non-party political designation
New Alliance Party N non-party political designation
New World Council C non-party political designation
Pirate X non-party political designation
Pizza Party AA non-party political designation
Prohibition Party P non-party political designation
Rainbow Coalition F non-party political designation
Reform Party E non-party political designation
Socialist S non-party political designation
People's Party FF non-party political designation
Twelve Visions Party DD non-party political designation
Timesizing Not Downsizing M non-party political designation
United Independent Party CC non-party political designation
Unity Party - non-party political designation
Veterans Party America W non-party political designation
We The People H non-party political designation
Workers Party - non-party political designation
Working Families Z non-party political designation
World Citizens Party Y non-party political designation

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "General Laws, Part I, Title VIII, Chapter 50, Section 1". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. State of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  2. ^ a b c d "Massachusetts Directory of Political Parties and Designations". sec.state.ma.us. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Rhodes, George (6 August 2015). "In Mass., there's even a Pizza Party". Sun Chronicle. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b Political Parties and Political Designations, As of 12/31/2014, Town of North Reading (accessed August 27, 2016).
  5. ^ State Primary Election Types, National Conference of State Legislatures (July 21, 2016).
  6. ^ Frequently Asked Questions for New Voters, City of Boston Election Department (accessed August 27, 2016).
  7. ^ Winger, Richard (8 August 2016). "Libertarian Petition in Massachusetts Has Enough Valid Signatures". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  8. ^ Quinn, Tom (14 April 2016). "Tired of politics as usual? Tap your inner pirate, or try pizza". Worcester Magazine. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  9. ^ Cambridge Election Commission Voter Registration Training Manual. Cambridge, Massachusetts: City of Cambridge. 2011. p. 5.
  10. ^ "Town of Reading Election Staff Manual". Elections. Town of Reading, Massachusetts. March 26, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
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