Milton and Canton voters will find nine statewide ballot questions on their ballots when early voting opens Saturday, Oct. 17.

That ties a 32-year record for the most questions in a single Massachusetts election cycle, according to Commonwealth Beacon. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The first eight questions are proposed laws placed on the ballot through initiative petitions. The ninth is a referendum on an existing law.

Here is what each question would do.

Question 1: Public records access. A yes vote would make most records held by the Legislature and the governor's office subject to the state public records law. Documents related to policy development and certain constituent communications would be exempt.

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has said the measure would give "every taxpayer the ability to access public records directly," according to the Canton Citizen. Opponents say the proposal is too broad and could threaten constituent privacy.

Question 2: Public defender unionization. A yes vote would let employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) collectively bargain over wages, benefits and working conditions. A public defender shortage drew attention in 2025 when criminal defendants were released because not enough public defenders and private attorneys would accept the low pay, the Canton Citizen reported. Opponents say collective bargaining could disrupt management and strain state finances.

Question 3: All-party primaries. A yes vote would replace separate party primaries with a single primary in which all candidates appear on one ballot and the top two advance to the general election. Both the state Democratic and Republican parties oppose the measure. Supporters say it would increase competition; opponents argue it would favor wealthy candidates.

Question 4: Same-day voter registration. A yes vote would let eligible residents register or update their address at the polls on Election Day, replacing the current 10-day-prior deadline. The law would take effect Jan. 1, 2028. Supporters say it expands access; opponents raise fraud concerns.

Question 5: State revenue cap. A yes vote would tie the state's annual revenue limit to prior-year collections plus average wage and salary growth. Revenue above the cap would be refunded to taxpayers the following year. The limit would include revenue from the surtax on incomes over $1 million. Opponents say the cap could force cuts to education, transportation and health care or push costs onto local property taxes.

Question 6: Conservation fund. A yes vote would create a Nature for All Fund, directing certain state taxes on sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses toward land and water conservation. Opponents question the fiscal impact and loss of budget flexibility.

Question 7: Smaller lot sizes. A yes vote would allow single-family homes on lots of 5,000 square feet or more in residential areas, subject to local regulation of height, setbacks and parking. Current minimum lot sizes in many communities require an acre or more. Opponents say the measure overrides local planning.

Question 8: Marijuana repeal. A yes vote would end the legal retail sale of recreational marijuana, repealing the 2016 law that legalized and taxed it. Possession of one ounce or less and medical use would remain legal. The change would take effect Jan. 1, 2028. Opponents say repeal would cut state tax revenue and push marijuana sales into unregulated markets.

Question 9: Firearms law referendum. This is the only referendum on the ballot. A yes vote would keep the 2024 firearms safety law, which bans ghost guns, expands red-flag provisions and redefines "machine gun" to include bump stocks and trigger cranks.

A no vote would repeal it. The law passed the House 124–33 and the Senate 35–5 in July 2024, the official ballot shows.

How to vote

In Canton, early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 17, through Friday, Oct. 30, at Town Hall. The voter registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 24. The mail-in ballot request deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to the Canton voter guide.

In Milton, early voting runs on the same dates at the Town Offices, 525 Canton Ave., in the Blute Conference Room, according to Milton's election page. Milton's registration deadline is also Oct. 24, and the mail-ballot application deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 27.

Polls on Election Day open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. in both towns.