Massachusetts House Bill H4377

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/7/25
• Refer: 8/7/25

Caption

Eliminating the preliminary election in the city of Revere in 2025

Impact

If enacted, this legislation would have significant implications for the electoral process within Revere. By abolishing the preliminary elections for the specified offices, the city will streamline its electoral framework. This could lead to increased voter turnout at the general election, as constituents will have fewer electoral events to participate in, potentially fostering greater engagement. However, it also raises concerns about the vetting process for candidates, as preliminary elections often serve to narrow the field and ensure that only those most favored by the electorate appear on the general ballot.

Summary

House Bill 4377, introduced by Representative Jessica Ann Giannino, aims to eliminate the preliminary election in the city of Revere scheduled for September 16, 2025. The bill proposes that candidates for the offices of school committee and city council, whose nomination papers are duly certified, be directly placed on the general election ballot without going through a preliminary voting process. This change is presented as a simplification of the election process for local offices, reducing the number of elections that voters must participate in during the election cycle.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 4377 includes notable points of contention. Supporters advocate that the change will save time and resources while encouraging higher voter participation in the general election. On the other hand, critics voice concerns that skipping the preliminary election may not allow sufficient time for voters to learn about the candidates, diminishing the quality of informed voting. Additionally, there are arguments surrounding the local control aspect of electoral processes, with some viewing this bill as a top-down approach to managing political participation in Revere.