Massachusetts ‘Red Book’ Is Also Online: What Voters Need to Know Before Heading to the Polls

Your Massachusetts Information for Voters guide, often referred to as the "red book," (probably because it's red) is on its way. If you haven't received your red book yet, you can find the same information online.

Political junkies wait in anticipation for the red book to arrive, sort of like kids 50 years ago waited for the Jack & Harry's or Sears Roebuck catalogs at Christmas. If you know, you know.

Public Broadcast Station WGBH reported, "These books are standard before a general election, describing what ballot questions voters will face in the election and what a yes and no vote means."

What is Inside the 2026 Massachusetts "Red Book"?

This year's ballot includes nine questions, covering topics from marijuana to firearms, and whether to broaden the state's public records laws to ensure compliance by the governor and state legislators.

Massachusetts Offers Online Info Guide For 2026 Ballot Questions

WGBH said the 88-page information booklet "is a record-breaker in itself, beating the 1998 booklet by some 16 pages."

Each question is accompanied by a summary, followed by an explanation of what a yes and no vote would do. It also includes arguments for and against the ballot question and, if necessary, a statement of financial consequences, among other things.

How to Prepare and Save Time at the Polls

It's all quite lengthy, so a pre-read and a cheat sheet prepared in advance would save considerable time at the polls.

This year's online version of the red book includes an explanation of your voting options, offices on the 2026 ballot, all nine ballot questions for 2026, services provided by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, and a downloadable voter checklist to bring to the polls with you.

When Is Election Day in Massachusetts?

General election day is November 3, 2026. Polls statewide will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.