The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is taking no positions on the 2022 Massachusetts ballot questions. League members may advocate for or against these questions only as individuals.
In 1919, Massachusetts amended its Constitution to provide its citizens with the opportunity to initiate laws, referenda (which repeal existing law) and constitutional amendments. Should these options be retained?
In 2016 there were three “dark money” cases resulting in fines to ballot question campaign committees in Massachusetts. Because the investigations were completed after the election, they had no impact on the results of the election. Can we do better?
In the 2014 and 2016 election cycles all records of spending on ballot questions were broken. The US Supreme Court has struck down state attempts to limit ballot question spending. Can anything be done?
Section 12 of the recreational marijuana law passed in 2016 stated that "This act shall take effect on December 15, 2016." Legislative modifications resulted in a delay of three years for full implementation.
Only three citizen-initiated amendments to the state constitution have made it to the ballot since 1919. Massachusetts' process for this type of petition is among the most restrictive in the nation.
