2026 MA Elections: 3 MA Universities To Host Ballot Question Forums

SALEM, MA — Three Massachusetts state universities are teaming up to host public forums on three statewide ballot questions on the November state election ballot.

Salem State, Worcester State and UMass-Amherst will host the forums on Questions 4, 7 and 9, which cover same-day voter registration, state-imposed zoning allowances for single-family homes and a repeal of the state's enhanced gun-control legislation passed in 2024, respectively.

The forums will take place on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8.

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The new Commonwealth Ballot Forum Initiative, led by Worcester State's John Binienda Center for Civic Engagement, was developed in partnership with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Democracy Project at UMass Amherst, and the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University.

"We're inviting the community onto our campuses to engage in thoughtful, nonpartisan dialogue about these important ballot measures," said Megan Moran, director of the Binienda Center. "Our shared goal is to strengthen democracy by creating pathways for democracy engagement and civic learning."

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Forums will be recorded and made available online as ongoing civic learning resources.

Worcester State will host its Question 4 forum on Oct. 7.

If passed, Question 4 would allow eligible Massachusetts residents to register to vote or update their address at their polling place on Election Day. Voters would need to provide proof of residency and sign an oath confirming that they meet the requirements to vote and are not voting elsewhere in the same election.

If someone cannot provide proof of residency at the polling place, they could cast a provisional ballot and provide the required information within the applicable deadline for that election.

That forum will take place in the Fuller Theater of the Shaughnessy Administration building at Worcester State from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

On Oct. 8, UMass-Amherst will host a forum on Question 9.

If passed, Ballot Initiative 9 maintains existing legislation that restricts access to unregistered firearms, machine guns, and assault weapons. Toby Leary, leader of The Civil Rights Coalition and No on 9 Campaign, and Megan DesAutels, campaign coordinator for the Yes on 9 Campaign, will discuss the origins and implications of this ballot initiative.

That forum will run from noon to 2 p.m. in the Old Chapel at Great Hall on the UMass-Amherst campus.

On Oct. 8, Salem State will host a forum on Question 7.

If passed, Ballot Question 7 would require cities and towns to allow single-family homes on residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet in area, or 0.12 acres. If rejected, no requirements would be passed on to cities and towns, preserving their individual zoning regulations, which often require much larger minimum lot sizes. The event will feature Andrew Mikula, campaign chair for the Yes on 7 Campaign, and Dave Koffman, legislative director with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, representing the opposition.

That forum will take place from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at Forten 123 on the Harrington Campus of Salem State University.

The Massachusetts General Election is Nov. 3.