Jeff Singer and David Nir of The Downballot here describe the Massachusetts campaign for and against Question Three, the top-two initiative.

As is normal for articles, nothing is said about how the initiative makes it far more difficult for a minor party to be ballot-qualified. The relatively easy way currently for a party to be ballot-qualified is by polling 3% for any statewide race. It is fairly easy for a minor party to meet this test in midteerm years, when Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State are on the ballot. Most voters don’t care very much who wins for those offices, and therefore voters are generous to third party candidates in those races. But if the initiative passes, parties won’t have nominees (except for president) so that option would be gone.