Massachusetts ballot measures, 2018

Last updated

Three ballot measures were certified for the November 6, 2018, general election in the state of Massachusetts. [1] [2]

Contents

The Constitution of Massachusetts can be amended through initiative, and state statutes can be proposed through initiative. The first and second certified measures, "Nurse-Patient Assignment Limits" and "Advisory Commission for Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Regarding Corporate Personhood and Political Spending", were both initiated state statutes. The third measure, "Gender Identity and Anti-Discrimination", was a veto referendum.

Constitution of Massachusetts state constitution

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual state governments that make up the United States of America. As a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779, John Adams was the document's principal author. Voters approved the document on June 15, 1780. It became effective on October 25, 1780, and remains the oldest functioning written constitution in continuous effect in the world. It was also the first constitution anywhere to be created by a convention called for that purpose rather than by a legislative body. Only the Constitution of San Marino has sections still in force that are older.

Initiative means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote

In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote in parliament called an indirect initiative or via a direct initiative, the latter then being dubbed a Popular initiated Referendum.

Popular referendum referendum to repeal a new or existing law

A popular referendum is a type of a referendum that provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote (plebiscite) on an existing statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance, or, in its minimal form, to simply oblige the executive or legislative bodies to consider the subject by submitting it to the order of the day. It is a form of direct democracy.

In Massachusetts, after the state determines which measure(s) will appear on the ballot, an official name is assigned to each question. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has discretion over the ordering of questions on the ballot.

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth is the principal public information officer of the state government of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

Binding statewide question(s)

No.TypeInitiative TitleSubjectDescription [1] ResultRef.
1ISSNurse-Patient Assignment LimitsHealthcareEstablishes a limit on how many patients a nurse can be assigned in various healthcare settingsRejected
70.4%–29.6%		 [3] [4]
2ISSAdvisory Commission for Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Regarding Corporate Personhood and Political SpendingDefinition of a corporation and federal constitutional issuesCreates a panel of citizens to propose amendments to the US Constitution about campaign finance and corporate personhood Approved
71.4%–28.6%		 [5] [6]
3VR Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination LGBT IssuesReferendum on a 2016 law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity (a 'yes' vote would preserve the law, a 'no' vote would repeal it)Approved
67.8%–32.2%		 [5] [7]

VR = veto referendum
ISS = initiated state statute
Vote percentages as of November 8, with 100% reporting

Endorsements

Question 1

On October 23, 2018, The Boston Globe editorial board endorsed a 'no' vote on Question 1, saying the nursing staff ratio is wrong for Massachusetts. [8] On October 26, the Boston Herald also advocated for a 'no' vote. [9] Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker said he would vote 'no', [10] while Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh said he would vote 'yes'. [11] A "yes" vote was also advocated by United States Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders. [12]

<i>The Boston Globe</i> newspaper

The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts, since its creation by Charles H. Taylor in 1872. The newspaper has won a total of 26 Pulitzer Prizes as of 2016, and with a total paid circulation of 245,824 from September 2015 to August 2016, it is the 25th most read newspaper in the United States. The Boston Globe is the oldest and largest daily newspaper in Boston.

<i>Boston Herald</i> US newspaper

The Boston Herald is an American daily newspaper whose primary market is Boston, Massachusetts and its surrounding area. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. It has been awarded eight Pulitzer Prizes in its history, including four for editorial writing and three for photography before it was converted to tabloid format in 1981. The Herald was named one of the "10 Newspapers That 'Do It Right'" in 2012 by Editor & Publisher.

Governor of Massachusetts head of state and of government of the U.S. commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Governor of Massachusetts is the head of the executive branch of the Government of Massachusetts and serves as commander-in-chief of the Commonwealth's military forces. The current governor is Charlie Baker.

Question 3

A 'yes' vote on Question 3 has been "wholeheartedly" endorsed by The Boston Globe in an October 17, 2018, editorial. [13] Actress and LGBT advocate Laverne Cox also advocated for a 'yes' vote. [14]

Laverne Cox American actress, reality television star, television producer, and transgender advocate

Laverne Cox is an American actress and LGBTQ+ advocate. She rose to prominence with her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in any acting category, and the first to be nominated for an Emmy Award since composer Angela Morley in 1990. In 2015, she won a Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special as executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, making her the first openly transgender woman to win the award. In 2017, she became the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on broadcast TV as Cameron Wirth on CBS's Doubt.

Removed question

A measure titled "Income Tax for Education and Transportation Amendment", which sought to create a four percent tax on incomes that exceed $1 million, to be used for education and transportation purposes, was removed after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in June 2018 that the measure had been incorrectly certified by the Massachusetts Attorney General. [15]

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court the highest court in the U.S. state of Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Americas, with a recognized history dating to the establishment of the Massachusetts Superior Court of Judicature in 1692 under the charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania disputes this, claiming to be eight years older.

Massachusetts Attorney General attorney general for the U.S. state of Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Attorney General is an elected constitutionally defined executive officer of the Massachusetts Government. The officeholder is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The officeholder also acts as an advocate and resource for the Commonwealth and its residents in many areas, including consumer protection, combating fraud and corruption, protecting civil rights, and maintaining economic competition. The current Attorney General is Maura Healey.

Other potential questions

Several additional measures received a required number of signatures by December 6, 2017, [1] but ultimately were not added to the ballot:

A new law enacting a majority of content from these three measures was signed into law in late June by Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker. Hourly minimum wage will be increased from $11 to $15 by 2023, workers will have paid medical leave of 12 to 20 weeks (depending on circumstance), and there will be an annual August sales tax holiday; the state sales tax was not decreased. Initiative organizers agreed to withdraw the associated ballot initiatives. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

Carla A. Howell is an American political activist and small government advocate. She is Political Director for the national Libertarian Party. She is most known for organizing tax cut initiative petitions in Massachusetts. She spearheaded an initiative to repeal the Massachusetts state personal income tax in 2002 and again in 2008 and one to cut the state sales tax in 2010. She ran for office in Massachusetts for U.S. Senate (2000), Governor (2002), and State Auditor (1998) on the Libertarian Party ticket. She served on the staff of the Libertarian National Committee from December 2011 until June 2017.

2006 Massachusetts general election

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Massachusetts State Income Tax Repeal Initiative

The State Income Tax Repeal, also known as Massachusetts Question 1, was one of the 2008 ballot measures that appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Voters were asked whether or not they approved of the proposed measure which, if it had passed, would have ended the 5.3% income tax in Massachusetts on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains. Ultimately, Massachusetts voters defeated Question 1 by a wide margin, with approximately 70% opposed versus 30% in favor.

2010 Massachusetts general election

The Massachusetts general election, 2010 was held on November 2, 2010 throughout Massachusetts. Primary elections took place on September 14, 2010.

Massachusetts English Language Education in Public Schools Initiative

The Massachusetts English Language Education in Public Schools Initiative was a successful initiative voted on in the Massachusetts general election held on November 5, 2002. It was one of three 2002 ballot measures put to public vote, and the only one to pass.

Massachusetts No Sales Tax for Alcohol Initiative

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Massachusetts Sales Tax Relief Act

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.

2012 Massachusetts ballot measures

Three citizen-initiated measures were voted upon in the 2012 Massachusetts general election: a Right to Repair initiave, a proposal to allow physician-assisted suicide, and a measure to legalize medical marijuana. The Right to Repair initiative, which was to require open access to vehicle diagnostic and repair information, passed overwhelmingly, with 86% support. The measure to allow physician-assisted suicide failed by a narrow margin, with 51% opposed. The proposal to legalize medical marijuana passed with 63% of voter support.

Massachusetts Death with Dignity 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".

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative

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.

Massachusetts Automatic Gas Tax Increase Repeal Initiative

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.

Massachusetts Charter School Expansion Initiative

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Massachusetts Expand Slot Machine Gaming Initiative

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2018 Massachusetts general election

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Massachusetts Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Initiative

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Massachusetts Expansion of Bottle Deposits Initiative

The Massachusetts Expansion of Bottle Deposits Initiative was an unsuccessful initiative voted on in the Massachusetts general election held on November 4, 2014. It was one of four 2014 ballot measures put to public vote.

2002 Massachusetts ballot measures

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Massachusetts Casino Repeal Initiative

The Massachusetts Casino Repeal Initiative was an unsuccessful initiative voted on in the Massachusetts general election held on November 4, 2014. It was one of four 2014 ballot measures put to public vote.

Massachusetts Paid Sick Days Initiative

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Jasiel F. Correia II is an American politician currently serving as mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Massachusetts 2018 ballot measures". Ballotpedia . July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. ↑ "2018 Ballot Questions". sec.state.ma.us. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  3. ↑ McCluskey, Priyanka Dayal (November 6, 2018). "Voters reject Question 1, which would have mandated nurse staffing levels" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  4. ↑ https://apps.bostonglobe.com/elections/2018/MA/race/?raceID=24873
  5. 1 2 "Massachusetts Election Results". The New York Times . November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ https://apps.bostonglobe.com/elections/2018/MA/race/?raceID=24874
  7. ↑ https://apps.bostonglobe.com/elections/2018/MA/race/?raceID=24875
  8. ↑ Editorial, Board (2018-10-22). "Editorial board endorsement: Vote 'no' on Question 1. The nurse staffing ratio is wrong for Mass" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  9. ↑ "Vote no on Question 1: Don't handcuff nurses". Boston Herald . October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Baker To Vote 'No' On Ballot Question 1 Nurse Staffing Mandates". CBS Boston . AP. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Walsh To Vote 'Yes' On Ballot Question 1 Nurse Staffing Mandates". CBS Boston . AP. October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  12. ↑ Schoenberg, Shira (29 October 2018). "U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorses nurse staffing ballot question". MassLive . Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  13. ↑ "Stand up for equality: Vote Yes on 3" . The Boston Globe. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  14. ↑ Lannan, Katie (October 25, 2018). "Laverne Cox Urges Mass. To Vote Yes On Question 3, To Send Message To Nation". WBUR . Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ Brown, Steve (June 18, 2018). "'Millionaire's Tax' Won't Be On The State Ballot, Mass. SJC Rules". WBUR . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  16. ↑ ""Grand bargain" keeps voters from deciding ballot questions". Boston Herald . AP. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.

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