A ballot measure is a piece of proposed legislation to be approved or rejected by eligible voters. Ballot measures are also known as "propositions" or simply "questions".
Ballot measures differ from fewer legislation passed by representative democracies; ordinarily, an elected legislature develops and passes laws. Ballot measures, by contrast, are an example of direct democracy.
Voters in Massachusetts will be asked to decide two ballot measure questions.
2024 MA Ballot Measures
Question 1: State Auditor's Authority to Audit the Legislature
YES vote expressly authorizes the State Auditor to audit the Massachusetts Legislature.
NO vote would make no change in the law relative to the State Auditor’s authority
Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement
YES vote would eliminate the requirement that students pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in order to graduate high school but still require students to complete coursework that meets state standards.
NO vote would make no change in the law relative to the requirement that a student pass the MCAS in order to graduate high school.
Learn more about the this issue:
Massachusetts Information for Voters (pages 10-12)
Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers
YES vote would provide transportation network drivers the option to form unions to collectively bargain with transportation network companies regarding wages, benefits, and terms and conditions of work.
NO vote would make no change in the law relative to the ability of transportation network drivers to form unions.
Learn more about the this issue:
Massachusetts Information for Voters (pages 13-24)
Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances
YES vote would allow persons over age 21 to use certain natural psychedelic substances under licensed supervision and to grow and possess limited quantities of those substances in their home, and would create a commission to regulate those substances.
NO vote would make no change in the law regarding natural psychedelic substances.
Learn more about the this issue:
Massachusetts Information for Voters (pages 25-40)
YES vote would increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker to the full state minimum wage implemented over five years, at which point employers could pool all tips and distribute them to all nonmanagement workers.
NO vote would make no change in the law governing tip pooling or the minimum wage for tipped workers.
Learn more about the this issue:
Massachusetts Information for Voters (pages 41-46)