An Amendment for an Additional Tax on Income Over One Million
A Law concerning the Regulation of Dental Insurance
A Law creating Expanded Availability of Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
Referendum on an Existing Law on Eligibility for Driver's Licenses
Question 1: Increases Taxes on Income Over One Million
Yes
52.0%
No
48.0%
Proposal approved
Question 2: Regulates Dental Insurance
Yes
71.5%
No
28.5%
Proposal approved
Question 3: Expands Availability of Alcohol Sale Licenses
Yes
44.7%
No
55.3%
Proposal rejected
Question 4: Allows Undocumented Immigrants to hold Driver's Licenses
Yes
53.7%
No
46.3%
Proposal approved
Four ballot measures were on the ballot during the 2022 Massachusetts elections which were held on November 8, 2022. In addition to the 4 which were certified, 24 measures failed to meet the requirements to be on the ballot.[1]
In Massachusetts, a constitutional amendment or proposed law can be placed on the ballot by popular petition. If a petition collects around 75,000 signatures, it will be considered by the General Court. If the General Court does not pass the proposal, the petitioners can have their proposal placed on the ballot at the next general election if they collect around 12,500 more signatures.[2] In addition, a law passed by the General Court can be put to a veto referendum, in which the law must be passed by popular vote.[3] In 2022, 1 constitutional amendment, 2 proposed laws, and 1 veto referendum were placed on the ballot.
Question 1, sometimes called the "Millionaires Tax" and the "Fair Share Amendment" by its supporters, was a proposal to amend the state constitution to create a new 4% tax on income for people earning more than $1,000,000 annually, with the new revenue to go towards infrastructure and education. It would be a constitutional amendment rather than a law, making it difficult to change in the future.[7] This proposal passed.[6]
Question 2 was a proposal to require dental insurance companies to spend 83% of their revenues from insurance premiums on patient care.[7] This proposal passed.[6]
Question 3 was a proposal to change the laws regarding liquor licensing. It would have allowed stores to sell alcohol in more locations, while making it more difficult for them to obtain liquor licenses and increasing penalties for violations of liquor laws by stores.[7] This proposal failed.[6]
Question 4 was a veto referendum on a law passed by the Massachusetts legislature which allowed undocumented immigrants to hold driver's licenses. Republican Governor Baker vetoed the law, but his veto was then overridden by the legislature. The Republican Party campaigned to put the law to a veto referendum, and it was placed on the ballot.[17][18] The measure passed, meaning the law was not overturned.[6][7]
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