Overview
- Unofficial results show Question 3 passed with 11,489 yes votes (55.7%), 7,920 no votes (38.4%), and 1,203 blanks (5.8%).
- The measure urges the city to halt current business and future investments with companies alleged to sustain Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and occupation, though it does not carry the force of law.
- Organizers from Somerville for Palestine say they will press for ordinances, pension fund divestment, and removal of vendors such as HP, as well as shedding pension shares in Lockheed Martin.
- A Middlesex Superior Court judge rejected attempts by Somerville United Against Discrimination to block the question and to place an opposition statement on the ballot, clearing the way for Tuesday’s vote.
- Opponents, including local Jewish organizations, condemned the result as divisive and misleading, while the city’s next steps could be complicated by local leadership dynamics after a supporter of the measure lost the mayor’s race.