It was re-organized in the 1970s, after the formation of the SPUSA by activists who had been members of the much larger Socialist Party of America.

In 1993, SPMA activists were able to establish "Socialist" as an official political designation, the culmination of a campaign started in 1986.

The Socialist Party of Massachusetts engages in both electoral politics and non-electoral activism.

Electoral activities include Eric Chester's campaign for the United States House of Representatives and support for ballot questions on instant run-off voting, proportional representation, and public finance of elections.

[1] Non-electoral activism includes support for unions and unionization (often in cooperation with the Industrial Workers of the World),[2][3] anti-war and anti-imperialist agitation (including annual public Anti-Imperialist Fourth of July Picnics), and support for feminism and women's rights (including annual demonstrations to mark Rosie Jimenez Day, October 3).