2020 Massachusetts Question 1

Last updated

Massachusetts Question 1 (2020)
An Initiative Law to Enhance,Update, and Protect the 2013 Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Law
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes2,599,18274.97%
Light brown x.svgNo867,67425.03%
Valid votes3,466,856100.00%
Invalid or blank votes00.00%
Total votes3,466,856100.00%

MA Question 1 2020 Counties.svg
MA Question 1 2020 Municipalities.svg
MA Question 1 2020.svg

The Massachusetts Right to Repair Initiative (2020), also known as Question 1, appeared on the Massachusetts 2020 general election ballot as an initiated state statute. It was approved by voters and the measure will update the state's right to repair laws to include electronic vehicle data. A similar Right to repair initiative (also named Question 1) appeared on the 2012 state ballot and passed with 86% of the vote. [1]

Contents

Summary

The measure extends the state's right to repair laws to include telematics systems. Telematics systems contain car data that is stored outside the vehicle, and may include information that relates to navigation, GPS, and mobile internet. It nominally requires cars sold in Massachusetts starting with the model year 2022 to equip any cars having telematics systems with a standardized open access data platform. Independent repair shops and mechanics are supposed to, with owner permission, automatically have access to the vehicle's data to use it for diagnostics and car repair. Before this law, data may only be used by manufacturer repair shops unless permission is granted.

Implementation

Car manufacturers sued to stop implementation of the law.

In June 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told manufacturers not to comply with the Massachusetts law, on grounds that "A malicious actor here or abroad could utilize such open access to remotely command vehicles to operate dangerously, including attacking multiple vehicles concurrently." [2]

In response to criticism of this decision from Massachusetts parties, in August 2023, NHTSA said it would be legal for manufacturers to provide access via short-range Bluetooth connections rather than long-distance cellular modems. This reduces the risk of hacking, but makes it harder for independent shops to offer long-distance telematics services. [3]

Proponents

Supporting arguments

Supporters of the initiative argue that it would extend consumer choice in car repair sites, increasing competition and decreasing costs of car repair. Independent mechanic advocates argue that it would help support smaller and more local repair shops to be able to compete with larger manufacturer repair chains. Telematics is also a growing part of car systems, and supporters of the initiative argue it would extend right to repair to account for technological changes. [4] Opponents say this is a misleading characterization of the auto repair market, in which owners would still have choices for finding fixes. [5]

The proposal requires that access to information would pass through "an authorization process standardized across all makes and models and administered by an entity unaffiliated with the manufacturer." Opponents of the measure have not identified any basis to believe that this entity will not take advantage of data security techniques in designing the authorization process or to believe that data protection measures will be insufficient to protect the data and vehicle owner.

Opponents

Opponents of the initiative argue that it would result in cyber security risk and possibly make vehicle data more vulnerable. Several TV ads attacking the initiative have connected the data security concerns as allowing easier stalking and concerns of sexual predators. [6] Critics have cited these concerns as "[veering] into exaggeration and fear mongering". [7]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)

administered

Sample

size [lower-alpha 1]

Margin

of error

Yes (for the amendment)No (against the amendment)OtherUndecided
YouGov/UMass Amherst October 14–21, 2020713 (LV)75%15%11%
Ipsos/Spectrum News October 7–15, 20201,001 (A)± 3.5%58%22%20%
MassInc./WBUR August 6–9, 2020501 (LV)± 4.4%57%31%0% [lower-alpha 2] 12%
  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. "Refused" with 0%

Results

Question 1
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes2,599,18274.97
No867,67425.03
Valid votes3,466,85654.77
Total votes3,658,005100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,812,90976.00
Source: [8]  · [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

The 2006 Massachusetts general election was held on November 7, 2006, throughout Massachusetts.

The Greyhound Protection Act is a Massachusetts statute that gradually eliminated commercial dog racing by 2010. It was enacted as Question 3 on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Massachusetts.

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, sometimes also referred to as Right to Repair, is a name for several related proposed bills in the United States Congress and several state legislatures which would require automobile manufacturers to provide the same information to independent repair shops as they do for dealer shops.

A Massachusetts general election was held on November 5, 2002 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A Massachusetts general election was held on November 8, 1994 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Massachusetts Question 1</span> Ballot measure in Massachusetts repealing a sales tax on alcohol

The No Sales Tax for Alcohol Question, also known as Question 1, was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Massachusetts. The measure asked voters whether to repeal a sales tax on alcohol sales. The ballot measure for the 2010 ballot was added after the Massachusetts State Legislature increased the sales tax in the state from 5% to 6.25% and eliminated an exemption for alcohol sold in liquor stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts Sales Tax Relief Act</span> Ballot measure in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Question 3, filed under the name, the 3 percent Sales Tax Relief Act, appears on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an initiative. The measure, if enacted by voters, would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6.25 to 3 percent. The measure is being sponsored by the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes headed by Carla Howell. The measure would be enacted into a law 30 days after the election if approved by voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Cusack</span> American politician

Mark James Cusack is an American politician who represents the 5th Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, Cusack's district encompasses all precincts in the town of Braintree and Precinct 1 and 2 in the town of Holbrook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Massachusetts Question 1</span> Ballot measure in Massachusetts implementing right to repair laws for vehicles

The Massachusetts "Right to Repair" Initiative (2012), also known as Question 1, appeared on the Massachusetts 2012 general election ballot as an initiated state statute. The Right to Repair proposal was to require vehicle owners and independent repair facilities in Massachusetts to have access to the same vehicle diagnostic and repair information made available to the manufacturers' Massachusetts dealers and authorized repair facilities. The initiative passed with overwhelming voter support on November 6, 2012, with 86% for and 14% against. The measure, originally filed four times with the Massachusetts Attorney General, was filed by Arthur W. Kinsman, and was assigned initiative numbers 11–17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Massachusetts Question 2</span> "Death with dignity" ballot initiative

The Massachusetts "Death with Dignity" Initiative, also known as Question 2, appeared on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute to allow physician-assisted suicide. The measure was filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General and would establish, according to those who filed the measure, an "Act Relative to Death with Dignity". The petition number for the initiative was 11-12, and was filed by Michael Clarke as "An Initiative Petition for an Act Relative to Death with Dignity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Massachusetts Question 3</span> Ballot measure in Massachusetts legalizing medical marijuana

The Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative, appeared as the third question on the state's 2012 ballot as an indirect initiated state statute. The measure allows cannabis to be used for medical purposes in the state. The initiative—backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, and the Committee for Compassionate Medicine—was filed with proponents turning in the required signatures to the Massachusetts Attorney General's office by the August 3, 2011 deadline. Those signatures were needed for the required ten qualified voters who submitted the original petition to put forward the full text of the law they want enacted. The initiative passed with support from 63% of state voters.

The Massachusetts general election, 2012 was held on November 6, 2012, throughout Massachusetts. Primary elections took place on September 6, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Massachusetts</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Massachusetts, U.S.

Cannabis in Massachusetts is legal for medical and recreational use. It also relates to the legal and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. A century after becoming the first U.S. state to criminalize recreational cannabis, Massachusetts voters elected to legalize it in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Massachusetts Question 1</span>

The Massachusetts Automatic Gas Tax Increase Repeal Initiative, Question 1 was on the November 4, 2014 statewide ballot. Approved by voters, the measure repeals a 2013 law that would automatically adjust gas taxes according to inflation, allowing for automatic annual increases in the state's gas tax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Massachusetts Question 3</span>

An Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals, more commonly known as Question 3, was the third initiative on the 2016 Massachusetts ballot. The measure requires Massachusetts farmers to give chickens, pigs, and calves enough room to turn around, stand up, lie down, and fully extend their limbs. It also prohibits the sale of eggs or meat from animals raised in conditions that did not meet these standards.

Three ballot measures were certified for the November 6, 2018, general election in the state of Massachusetts.

Two ballot measures were certified for the November 3, 2020, general election in the state of Massachusetts. Multiple other ballot measures that were initiated by supporters did not meet requirements, thus will not appear on the ballot.

The 2020 Massachusetts general election was held on November 3, 2020, throughout Massachusetts. Primary elections were held on September 1, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts House of Representatives' 31st Middlesex district</span> American legislative district

Massachusetts House of Representatives' 31st Middlesex district in the United States is one of 160 legislative districts included in the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court. It covers Stoneham and Winchester in Middlesex County. Since 2015, Michael Seamus Day of the Democratic Party has represented the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Massachusetts Question 2</span>

Massachusetts Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative, also known as Question 2, was an initiative at the 2020 Massachusetts general election that would have changed primaries and elections in Massachusetts from plurality voting to ranked-choice voting (RCV) for all Massachusetts statewide offices, state legislative offices, federal congressional offices, and certain other offices beginning in 2022. RCV would not be extended to elections for president, county commissioner, or regional district school committee member. The initiative failed, with 54.8% of voters voting 'No' and 45.2% 'Yes'.

References

  1. "Massachusetts Question 1, 'Right to Repair' referendum, approved by landslide". masslive. November 7, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  2. "Federal government tells carmakers not to comply with Massachusetts' 'right to repair' law". www.wbur.org. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  3. Hiawatha Bray (August 22, 2023). "US to allow partial enforcement of Mass. right-to-repair law". The Boston Globe .
  4. "Press". massrighttorepair.org. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  5. Matt Stout (September 21, 2020). "Mass. has been pummeled by ads on Question 1. They veer into exaggeration and 'fearmongering,' experts say - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  6. Service, Colin A. YoungState House News. "New TV ad makes link between Mass. Question 1 and predators". The Herald News, Fall River, MA. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  7. Matt Stout (September 21, 2020). "Massachusetts has been pummeled by ads about Question 1. They veer into exaggeration and 'fear-mongering,' experts say - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  8. "PD43+ » 2020 - Statewide - Question 1Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 5, 2020?". PD43+. Retrieved January 17, 2021..
  9. "Voter Turnout Statistics". www.sec.state.ma.us. Retrieved January 17, 2021..

Further reading