Nicole Abrams, “Public’s approval of Q1 sends clear message for government transparency,” The New Bedford Light, November 4, 2026.

Jonathan Cohn, the policy director for Progressive Massachusetts, said that the ballot measure spoke to a public need for a government that is transparent and accountable to the people.

“Government can often feel distant to people,” Cohn said. “They want to know that their elected officials are acting in the public interest.”

Cohn acknowledged that even though the House and Senate passed their own versions of legislation on public records law, there will still be greater transparency from the governor’s office and the Legislature.

“I think the Legislature needs to be mindful of the fact that with an 86% vote of the public, completely overhauling that result is not a viable option,” Cohn said.