Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

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.

Eleven ballot initiatives in Massachusetts faced legal challenges, with three high-profile campaigns—including rent control, income tax cuts, and legislative stipend reform—removed due to violations of constitutional rules. The Supreme Judicial Court and attorney general ruled these measures noncompliant with Article 48, which restricts unrelated provisions and specific topics in ballot questions.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court removed a rent control ballot measure from consideration, citing that its exemption for religious institutions improperly involved religious matters under the state constitution. The initiative, pushed by tenant advocacy groups, would have required all cities and towns to impose rent limits tied to inflation or 5%, but faced opposition from real estate industry groups.

Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court approved a ballot proposal for 'jungle primaries,' where all candidates for an office appear on the same primary ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election unless one secures over 50% in the primary. Voters will decide in November whether to adopt the system, following a lawsuit arguing it violates the state constitution, which the court rejected.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court approved the state attorney general's lawsuit against Meta Platforms, alleging the company's platform design contributed to youth addiction. The case focuses on Meta's alleged practices in creating social media platforms rather than content moderation.