Past week’s comments
Welcome to the BoxfordDems’ ol’-fashioned, non-social-media, moderated subscriber’s forum!
We encourage our Democratic and Democratic-adjacent subscribers to submit feedback, comments, and suggestions for initiatives that can help promote and preserve democracy.
We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility.
Please limit comments to 150 words or so. Each week’s deadline for comments or letters to the editor is the Friday night of that week.
September 14, 2026 Issue
"Anything that would relax our current regulations on guns is non-starter for me!"
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 9: Uphold Firearms Law
"The fact that gun manufacturers poured in as much money into the movement to repeal the Mass. law tells you all you need to know! Keep the law in place!"
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 9: Uphold Firearms Law
August 31, 2026 Issue
"Even though Boxford won't be affected, we still shouldn't vote for this terrible one-size fits-all rule that will forever change most towns in Massachusetts. Local control is important and should be protected. We saw how angry people were about 3A/MBTA Communities; this is worse."
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 7: Single-Family Homes
AUGUST 17, 2026 ISSUE
"The September 1 Primary is an example of how Unenrolled folks might like this idea.
Since there are several contested races in the Democratic Party, and only the Governor's race in the Republican Party, I can understand how an unenrolled voter who votes "person not party" might welcome a change in the primary system. But unless this was accompanied by Ranked Choice Voting, "top 2" means nothing. Party representation is what a primary is about."
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 3: Top-Two
Primary Elections Initiative
“Count me as a no again. "
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 3: Top-Two
Primary Elections Initiative
"A quandary. Open primaries are more small-”d” democratic, would probably increase primary participation, and minimize potential outsize influence of extreme candidates.
But… in this particular climate, it’s too dangerous to risk losing a single Democratic vote, especially on the federal level. Ideally, I would like a chance to revisit this question on a future ballot—but for now keep the system as is."
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 3: Top-Two
Primary Elections Initiative
"Thanks for this! On the surface it looks innocuous, but is actually quite sneaky! It absolutely works against Massachusetts 1:3 Democratic majority. I vote no!"
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 3: Top-Two
Primary Elections Initiative
"The administrative concerns are legitimate. Would newly registered voters be given a provisional ballot while processing is confirmed and completed?"
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 4: Establish
Nature-for-All Fund Initiative
"Of course we should be doing this. Expanding access to voting is obviously the right thing to do and will encourage young voters to participate."
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 4: Establish
Nature-for-All Fund Initiative
AUGUST 10, 2026 ISSUE
""100% yes for the Nature Fund. It gets everyone and many diverse interests involved with protecting Nature. Win-win.”
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 4: Establish
Nature-for-All Fund Initiative
“Progressive Mass posted positions on the other eight questions but not this one, saying they were undecided. Why?? Seems like a no-brainer to support a Nature Fund so I was surprised by this.”
—Anonymous on Ballot Measure 4: Establish
Nature-for-All Fund Initiative
AUGUST 3, 2026 ISSUE
"I am concerned about the privacy of constituents, and the time spent in responding to frivolous records requests. Also, the MA House and Senate recently passed legislation that will put the Governor's office and the Legislature under public records law, with exceptions for constituents privacy. Vote no on this question and keep the Legislature's version."
—Anonymous on Ballot 1: Public Records Requirements for Legislature and Governor’s Office Initiative
Comment on this week’s newsletter or submit feedback here!
If we publish your submission, we reserve the right to edit for length and ease of reading.
This week’s issue
General
Deprogramming MAGA? Ballot recommendations are in; Drinks with Dems; Apple Festival, Midterm tool!
Ballot-measure series
Overview of Ballot-Initiative Process (Christina Eckert)
Question 1 Expand Public Records Requirements for the Legislature and Governor’s Office? (Ellen Mandel)
Question 2 Permit Collective Bargaining for PCS Employees? (Christina Eckert)
Question 3 Adopt Top-Two State Primary Elections? (Terri Teleen)
Question 4 Permit Same-Day Voter Registration? (Eleanor Grigg Schoenberg)
Question 5 Change State Tax Revenue Limit Initiative? (Christina Eckert)
Question 6 Establish Nature-for-All Fund? (Jessica Grigg)
Question 7 Set Minimum Limit on Required Lot Size for Single-Family Homes? (Terri Teleen)
Question 8 Recriminalize Adult Recreational Use Marijuana? (Adam Steiner)
Question 9 Uphold 2024 Act Modernizing Firearms Laws? (Julian Troake)
Get involved
Drinks with Dems: Meet fellow Tri-Town Dems at Alfalfa Farm Cellars
Distribute 47 doorhangers and get a BoxfordDems swag bag
We’re getting out the Boxford vote with Blue Rides
Democrats and democracy-leaning organizations sharing regional calendar
Other great opportunities to get involved - nationwide
Campaigns
