Statewide Ballot Questions —
Statistics by Year: 1919 – 2012

In 1918, the voters of the Commonwealth approved an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, stating that “Legislative power shall continue to be vested in the general court; but the people reserve to themselves the popular initiative, which is the power of a specified number of voters to submit constitutional amendments and laws to the people for approval or rejection; and the popular referendum, which is the power of a specified number of voters to submit laws, enacted by the general court, to the people for their ratification or rejection.”

Key
♦ - The ballot question was adopted. For referendum petitions, the NO vote prevailed, meaning the law was disapproved. This classification does not include advisory questions or United States Constitutional Amendments which are non-binding questions.

1919

Election Date: November 4, 1919
Total Votes Cast: 529,314

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Rearrangement of Constitution Commonwealth¹	Similar to Constitutional Amendment	263,359 50%	64,978 12%	200,977 38%	62%
2		Interest and dividends on savings deposits in banks	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	257,136 49%	110,412 21%	161,766 30%	70%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Rearrangement of Constitution Commonwealth¹

Similar to Constitutional Amendment

263,359

50%

64,978

12%

200,977

38%

62%

Interest and dividends on savings deposits in banks

Referendum Petition on an Existing Law

257,136

49%

110,412

21%

161,766

30%

70%

¹ Placed on ballot by constitutional convention; ruled invalid by Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) after passage.

Print 1919 statistics

1920

Election Date: November 2, 1920
Total Votes Cast: 1,029,138

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Definition of cider, beer, et al, as non-intoxicating liquors	Initiative Petition for a Law	442,215 43%	432,951 42%	153,972 15%	85%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Definition of cider, beer, et al, as non-intoxicating liquors

Initiative Petition for a Law

442,215

43%

432,951

42%

153,972

15%

85%

Print 1920 statistics

1922

Election Date: November 7, 1922
Total Votes Cast: 910,891

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Roll calls in General Court on adoption of preambles of emergency laws	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	333,549 36%	252,111 27%	352,321 38%	63%
2	♦	Tort liability of certain voluntary associations	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	300,260 32%	301,205 34%	309, 426 34%	66%
3	♦	State censorship of motion pictures	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	208,252 23%	553,173 61%	149,466 16%	84%
4	♦	“Baby Volstead” Act (Prohibition)	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	323,964 36%	427,840 47%	159,087 17%	83%
5		Lawyers only to be District Attorneys	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	396,623 44%	282,011 31%	232,257 25%	75%

Print 1922 statistics

1924

Election Date: November 4, 1924
Total Votes Cast: 1,213,377

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Qualification of voters for certain state offices	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	456,919 38%	246,499 20%	509,959 42%	58%
2	♦	Enabling women to hold any state, county or municipal office	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	473,744 39%	266,377 22%	473,256 39%	61%
3		Prohibition to manufacture or transport liquor or certain non-intoxicating beverages (“Baby Volstead Act”)	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	454,656 38%	446,473 37%	312,248 25%	74%
4		Excise tax on gasoline and other fuel	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	281,631 23%	547,460 45%	384,286 32%	68%
5		Regulation of foreign banking	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	435,141 36%	187,228 15%	591,008 49%	51%
6		Daylight savings	Legislative Advisory Question	492,239 41%	426,759 35%	294,379 24%	76%
7		“Congress shall have the power to limit, regulate and prohibit labor of persons under 18.”	United States Constitutional Amendment (Advisory)	241,461 20%	697,563 57%	274,353 23%	77%

Print 1924 statistics

1926

Election Date: November 2, 1926
Total Votes Cast: 1,038,466

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Establishing town governments which provide town meetings	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	394,538 38%	160,837 15%	483,091 47%	53%
2		Modifying the veteran’s preference law	Initiative Petition for a law	352,796 34%	381,895 37%	303,775 29%	71%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Establishing town governments
which provide town meetings

Legislative Constitutional Amendment

394,538

38%

160,837

15%

483,091

47%

53%

Modifying the veteran’s preference law

Initiative Petition for a law

352,796

34%

381,895

37%

303,775

29%

71%

Print 1926 statistics

1928

Election Date: November 6, 1928
Total Votes Cast: 1,610,014

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Authorizing certain Sunday sporting events	Initiative Petition for a Law	803,281 50%	467,550 29%	339,183 21%	79%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Authorizing certain Sunday sporting events

Initiative Petition for a Law

803,281

50%

467,550

29%

339,183

21%

79%

Print 1928 statistics

1930

Election Date: November 4, 1930
Total Votes Cast: 1,250,114

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Apportionment of senatorial, representative and councillor districts	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	443,618 35%	159,119 12%	654,377 53%	47%
2		Repeal of “Baby Volstead” Act	Initiative Petition for a Law	649,592 52%	368,544 30%	231,978 18%	82%
3	♦	Regulation of trapping	Initiative Petition for a Law	606,532 49%	278,916 22%	364,666 29%	71%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Apportionment of senatorial, representative and councillor districts

Legislative Constitutional Amendment

443,618

35%

159,119

12%

654,377

53%

47%

Repeal of “Baby Volstead” Act

Initiative Petition for a Law

649,592

52%

368,544

30%

231,978

18%

82%

♦

Regulation of trapping

Initiative Petition for a Law

606,532

49%

278,916

22%

364,666

29%

71%

Print 1930 statistics

1932

Election Date: November 8, 1932
Total Votes Cast: 1,609,548

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Legalizing practice of chiropractics	Initiative Petition for a Law	351,094 22%	602, 520 37%	655,934 41%	59%
2	♦	Regulating nomination procedures	Initiative Petition for a Law	553,822 34%	262,948 16%	792,778 50%	50%
3	♦	Fixing the commencement of terms of president and vice president	United States Constitutional Amendment	784,821 49%	134,786 8%	689,941 43%	57%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Legalizing practice of chiropractics

Initiative Petition for a Law

351,094

22%

602, 520

37%

655,934

41%

59%

♦

Regulating nomination procedures

Initiative Petition for a Law

553,822

34%

262,948

16%

792,778

50%

♦

Fixing the commencement of terms of president and vice president

United States Constitutional Amendment

784,821

49%

134,786

689,941

43%

57%

Print 1932 statistics

1934

Election Date: November 6, 1934
Total Votes Cast: 1,507,674

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Regulation of trapping	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	484,172 32%	320,543 21%	702,959 47%	53%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Regulation of trapping

Referendum Petition on an Existing Law

484,172

32%

320,543

21%

702,959

47%

53%

Print 1934 statistics

1936

Election Date: November 3, 1936

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1936.

1938

Election Date: November 8, 1938
Total Votes Cast: 1,795,552

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Providing biennial sessions of the General Court and a biennial budget	Initiative Petition for a Constitutional Amendment	748,030 42%	417,134 23%	630,388 35%	65%
2	♦	Free public taxicab stands in cities and towns	Initiative Petition for a Law	664,762 37%	614,487 34%	516,303 29%	71%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Providing biennial sessions of the General Court and a biennial budget

Initiative Petition for a Constitutional Amendment

748,030

42%

417,134

23%

630,388

35%

65%

♦

Free public taxicab stands in cities and towns

Initiative Petition for a Law

664,762

37%

614,487

34%

516,303

29%

71%

Print 1938 statistics

1940

Election Date: November 5, 1940

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1940.

1942

Election Date: November 3, 1942
Total Votes Cast: 1,426,720

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Revision of birth control law	Initiative Petition for a Law	495,964 35%	683,059 48%	247,697 17%	83%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Revision of birth control law

Initiative Petition for a Law

495,964

35%

683,059

48%

247,697

17%

83%

Print 1942 statistics

1944

Election Date: November 7, 1944
Total Votes Cast: 2,008,969

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Fair, concise summary of each ballot question sent to voters instead of description of each question “Information for Voters”	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	861,148 43%	124,517 6%	1,023,304 51%	49%
2	♦	Pardoning of felonious offenses	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	650,475 32%	405,039 20%	953,455 48%	52%
3	♦	Restoring annual sessions of General Court and annual budget	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	557,930 28%	514,675 26%	934,364 46%	54%
4	♦	Absentee voting because of physical disability	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	893,139 44%	197,782 10%	918,048 46%	54%
5		Authorizing certain games of chance to be conducted by certain nonprofit organizations	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	738,387 37%	351,918 18%	918,664 45%	55%

Print 1944 statistics

1946

Election Date: November 5, 1946
Total Votes Cast: 1,714,994

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Pensions paid by Commonwealth to citizens 65 years of age or over in need of relief or support	Initiative Petition for a Law	536,175 31%	568,026 33%	610,793 36%	64%
2	♦	Labor unions must file with commissioner of labor and industries	Initiative Petition for a Law	789,317 46%	360,771 21%	564,906 33%	67%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Pensions paid by Commonwealth to citizens 65 years of age or over in need of relief or support

Initiative Petition for a Law

536,175

31%

568,026

33%

610,793

36%

64%

♦

Labor unions must file with commissioner of labor and industries

Initiative Petition for a Law

789,317

46%

360,771

21%

564,906

33%

67%

Print 1946 statistics

1948

Election Date: November 2, 1948
Total Votes Cast: 2,155,347

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	“The right of free speech shall not be abridged.”	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,353,307 63%	246,033 11%	556,007 26%	74%
2	♦	Use of certain revenues for highway purposes only	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,329,232 62%	274,351 13%	551,764 25%	75%
3	♦	Election of certain constitutional offices in case of failures to elect them or death prior to assuming office	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,207,103 56%	284,813 13%	663,431 31%	69%
4		Birth control advertising	Initiative Petition for a Law	806,829 38%	1,085,350 50%	263,168 12%	88%
5		Membership or nonmembership in labor organization as it relates to retaining or obtaining employment	Initiative Petition for a Law	505,575 23%	1,290,310 60%	359,462 17%	83%
6		Elections of officers of labor organizations must be held annually	Initiative Petition for a Law	637,324 30%	1,144,732 53%	373,291 17%	83%
7		Calling of strike by labor organization dependent on majority vote of members	Initiative Petition for a Law	653,932 30%	1,124,818 52%	376,597 18%	82%
8		No person shall be elected president more than twice	US Constitutional Amendment (advisory)	1,005,915 47%	556,838 26%	592,594 27%	73%

Print 1948 statistics

1950

Election Date: November 7, 1950
Total Votes Cast: 1,947,071

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Gubernatorial succession prior to inauguration	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,151,692 59%	208,957 11%	586,422 30%	70%
2	♦	Changes in number of voters’ signatures required for petitions and changes in legislative procedures relating to such petitions	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	992,643 51%	343,573 18%	610,855 31%	69%
3	♦	Payments to blind persons who are 63 years of age and older	Initiative Petition for a Law	918,555 47%	624,362 32%	404,154 21%	79%
4		Creation of Massachusetts commission to conduct monthly lottery	Initiative Petition for a Law	644,707 33%	894,685 46%	407,679 21%	79%
5		Commissioner of insurance establishing classifications of risks in connection with motor vehicle liability policies or bonds	Initiative Petition for a Law	376,636 19%	1,275,431 66%	295,004 15%	85%

Print 1950 statistics

1952

Election Date: November 4, 1952

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1952.

1954

Election Date: November 2, 1954

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1954.

1956

Election Date: November 6, 1956

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1956.

1958

Election Date: November 4, 1958
Total Votes Cast: 1,952,855

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Former public employees refunding portions of pensions depending upon yearly earnings	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,011,028 52%	403,519 21%	538,308 27%	73%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Former public employees refunding portions of pensions depending upon yearly earnings

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,011,028

52%

403,519

21%

538,308

27%

73%

Print 1958 statistics

1960

Election Date: November 8, 1960

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1960.

1962

Election Date: November 6, 1962
Total Votes Cast: 2,144,051

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Graduated income tax	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	277,611 13%	1,395,996 65%	470,444 22%	78%
2	♦	Increasing compensation and allowances of state legislators	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	276,091 13%	1,339,234 62%	528,726 25%	75%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Graduated income tax

Legislative Constitutional Amendment

277,611

13%

1,395,996

65%

470,444

22%

78%

♦

Increasing compensation and allowances of state legislators

Referendum Petition on an Existing Law

276,091

13%

1,339,234

62%

528,726

25%

75%

Print 1962 statistics

1964

Election Date: November 3, 1964
Total Votes Cast: 2,388,430

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Four year terms for constitutional officers	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,391,922 58%	450,367 19%	546,141 23%	77%
2	♦	Filling of vacant offices in event of enemy attack	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,600,324 67%	180,244 8%	607,862 25%	75%
3	♦	Credit of Commonwealth given, loaned or pledged by 2/3 vote of each branch of legislature	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,351,290 57%	356,271 15%	680,869 28%	72%
4	♦	Governor & Executive Council require opinions of justices of Supreme Judicial Court on questions of law	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,474,803 62%	232,701 10%	680,926 28%	72%
5	♦	Eliminating statutory authority of the Governor's Council	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,133,624 47%	589,219 25%	665,587 28%	72%
6	♦	Increasing the compensation and allowances of state legislators	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	625,194 26%	1,059,352 44%	703,884 30%	70%

Print 1964 statistics

1966

Election Date: November 8, 1966
Total Votes Cast: 2,076,826

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Governor and lieutenant governor run as a team	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,133,796 55%	415,378 20%	527,652 25%	75%
2	♦	Reorganization of executive department	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,160,773 56%	353,274 17%	562,779 27%	73%
3	♦	Providing for municipal industrial development	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,104,862 53%	380,222 18%	591,742 28%	71%
4	♦	Home rule for cities and towns	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,186,608 57%	270,087 13%	620,131 29%	70%
5		Sales tax referendum	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	1,391,100 67%	358,879 17%	326,847 15%	84%
6		Temporary tax and establishing the local aid fund	Legislative Advisory Question	1,070,599 52%	446,460 21%	559,767 27%	73%

Print 1966 statistics

1968

Election Date: November 5, 1968
Total Votes Cast: 2,348,005

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Extends to 10 days time in which governor may act upon legislation	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,293,132 55%	466,560 20%	588,313 25%	75%
2		Graduated income tax	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	543,772 23%	1,290,303 55%	513,930 19%	78%
3	♦	Determining gubernatorial disability	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,218,728 52%	455,020 19%	674,257 29%	71%
4		Calling of a constitutional convention ¹	Initiative Petition for a Law	885,455 38%	619,392 26%	843,158 36%	64%
5		Alcoholic beverage questions ²
6		Shall Massachusetts retain capital punishment?	Legislative Advisory Question	1,159,348 49%	730,649 31%	458,008 19%	81%

¹ Supreme Judicial Court ruled that constitutional convention could not be called by initiative petition.
² Question appeared in every city and town on the state ballot in November.

Print 1968 statistics

1970

Election Date: November 3, 1970
Total Votes Cast: 2,043,287

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Classification of real property according to its use	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	556,020 20%	1,008,168 49%	479,099 24%	69%
2	♦	Reducing residency requirement for voting to 6 months	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,116,008 55%	438,363 21%	488,916 24%	76%
3	♦	Reducing the voting age to 19	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	903,895 44%	665,573 33%	473,819 23%	77%
4	♦	Redivision of representative and senatorial districts	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	779,885 38%	552,878 27%	710,524 35%	65%
5		United States action in Vietnam¹	Legislative Advisory Question	A. 231,012 (11%) B. 838,469 (41%) C. 527,899 (26%)		445,907 22%	78%

¹ The choices for Question 5 were:
A. Win a military victory
B. Withdraw our armed forces in accordance with a planned schedule (Approved)
C. Withdraw all our armed forces immediately

Print 1970 statistics

1972

Election Date: November 7, 1972
Total Votes Cast: 2,503,494

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Taxation of agricultural and horticultural land	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,440,093 58%	534,143 21%	529,258 21%	79%
2	♦	Reducing the voting age to 18	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,664,998 66%	399,624 16%	438,872 18%	82%
3	♦	Removing the prohibition against paupers voting	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,562,886 62%	426,510 17%	514,098 21%	79%
4	♦	Student loans from the Commonwealth	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,407,690 56%	666,276 27%	429,528 17%	83%
5	♦	Establishing the right of the people to a clean environment	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,634,674 65%	359,864 14%	508,956 20%	79%
6		Graduated income tax based on federal income tax	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	712,030 28%	1,455,639 58%	335,825 13%	86%
7	♦	Retirement of judges at age 70	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,608,282 64%	502,734 20%	392,469 16%	84%
8		Lower drinking age	Legislative Advisory Question	1,067,458 43%	1,027,914 41%	408,122 16%	84%
9		Prayer in schools	Legislative Advisory Question	1,766,980 71%	383,496 15%	353,018 14%	86%

Print 1972 statistics

1974

Election Date: November 5, 1974
Total Votes Cast: 1,896,421

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Recess by General Court	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	952,007 50%	471,087 25%	473,327 25%	75%
2	♦	House membership cut from 240 to 160	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,128,315 60%	302,008 15%	466,098 25%	75%
3	♦	Grants in aid to higher education	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	829,465 44%	580,298 31%	486,658 26%	75%
4	♦	Highway tax use for mass transit	Initiative Petition for a Constitutional Amendment	824,077 43%	586,558 31%	485,786 26%	74%
5	♦	Establishing an independent Corrupt Practices Commission	Initiative Petition for a Law	898,547 47%	475,694 25%	522,180 28%	72%
6		Health plan	Legislative Advisory Question	1,065,279 56%	353,854 19%	477,288 25%	75%

Print 1974 statistics

1976

Election Date: November 2, 1976
Total Votes Cast: 2,594,262

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Equal rights	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,445,066 56%	945,789 36%	203,407 8%	92%
2		Graduated income tax rates	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	645,483 24%	1,787,302 68%	211,477 8%	92%
3	♦	Absentee voting for religious reasons	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,274,302 49%	1,047,929 41%	252,031 10%	90%
4		Massachusetts Power Authority	Initiative Petition for a Law	346,727 13%	1,983,318 77%	264,217 10%	90%
5		Ban on handguns¹	Initiative Petition for a Law	743,014 29%	1,669,945 64%	181,303 7%	93%
6		Control bottles and cans	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,207,162 47%	1,228,185 48%	158,915 7%	93%
7		Uniform electric rates	Initiative Petition for a Law	608,691 24%	1,793,022 69%	192,549 7%	92%
8		Construction of an oil refinery and deep water port	Legislative Advisory Question	1,513,165 58%	803,322 31%	277,775 11%	89%
9		Sunday closing laws	Legislative Advisory Question	1,299,144 50%	1,079,045 42%	216,073 8%	91%

¹ A legislative substitute question was disallowed by the Supreme Judicial Court.

Print 1976 statistics

1978

Election Date: November 7, 1978
Total Votes Cast: 2,044,076

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Classification amendment	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,285,865 63%	649,400 32%	108,811 5%	95%
2	♦	State budget deadline	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,223,502 60%	460,452 23%	360,122 17%	83%
3	♦	“Information for Voters” to each residence	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,213,413 59%	480,065 24%	350,598 17%	83%
4	♦	Residence standards for state census	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,142,050 56%	501,077 25%	400,949 19%	81%
5	♦	Charter commission deadline	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	812,263 40%	764,800 37%	467,013 23%	77%
6	♦	Student assignments to public schools	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,199,856 59%	512,667 25%	331,553 16%	84%
7	♦	Taxation of land used for recreation or left in a natural state	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,031,194 51%	636,471 31%	376,411 18%	82%

Print 1978 statistics

1980

Election Date: November 4, 1980
Total Votes Cast: 2,566,667

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Prohibit discrimination against handicapped persons	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,503,771 58.5%	758,978 30%	303,918 12%	88%
2	♦	Limiting local taxes (Proposition 2 1/2)	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,438,768 56%	988,839 40%	129,060 5%	95%
3		Limiting state and local taxes; increase state share of education costs	Initiative Petition for a Law	816,805 32%	1,473,804 57%	276,058 11%	90%
4	♦	Would increase salaries of certain state officials	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	265,675 10%	2,014,261 78%	286,731 11%	88%
5	♦	Would restrict state authority to place certain costs on cities and towns	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,401,897 55%	722,425 28%	442,345 17%	82%
6		Would change legislative voting procedure for emergency laws	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	610,138 24%	1,479,110 58%	477,419 19%	81%

Print 1980 statistics

1982

Election Date: November 2, 1982
Total Votes Cast: 2,103,780

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		State aid to non-public school students and certain institutions	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	708,034 34%	1,160,130 55%	235,616 11%	89%
2	♦	Death penalty	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,131,668 54%	748,549 35%	223,563 11%	89%
3	♦	Restricting low level radioactive waste disposal and nuclear power plant construction	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,249,462 59%	602,955 29%	251,363 12%	88%
4		Regulating bottles and cans	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	1,143,956 54%	791,846 38%	167,978 8%	92%

Print 1982 statistics

1984

Election Date: November 6, 1984

There were no statewide ballot measures in 1984.

1986

Election Date: November 4, 1986
Total Votes Cast: 1,777,276

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Allow legislature to prohibit or regulate abortions	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	689,908 39%	959,311 54%	128,057 7%	92.8%
2		Allow public funds for private schools and students	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	502,170 28.3%	1,154,069 65%	121,037 6.8%	93.1%
3	♦	Repeal surtax	Initiative Petition for a Law	863,130 48.5%	724,925 41%	189,221 11%	89.4%
4	♦	Would require DEQE to identify hazardous waste sites	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,174,676 66%	404,521 23%	198,079 11%	88.9%
5	♦	Existing law which required use of seat belts	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	769,806 43.3%	892,580 50%	114,890 6.5%	90%
6		Mail-in voter registration	Initiative Petition for a Law	603,370 34%	966,227 54%	207,677 11.7%	87.6%
7		Urges Congress to enact national health care program	Legislative Advisory Question	1,045,975 59%	510,161 28.7%	221,140 12.4%	88%
8		Urges president and Congress to adopt a national acid rain program	Legislative Advisory Question	1,262,362 71%	280,379 15.8%	234,535 13.2%	86.8%

Print 1986 statistics

1988

Election Date: November 8, 1988
Total Votes Cast: 2,689,629

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Would repeal law that authorized pay raise for legislators and constitutional officers	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	429,008 16%	2,065,532 78%	195,089 7%	92.7%
2		Repeal the prevailing wage	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,063,324 40%	1,479,319 55%	146,986 5%	94.5%
3		Regulate treatment of farm animals	Initiative Petition for a Law	713,999 27%	1,781,172 66%	194,458 7%	92%
4		Stop electric power plants that produce nuclear waste	Initiative Petition for a Law	770,800 29%	1,626,402 60%	292,427 11%	89%

Print 1988 statistics

1990

Election Date: November 6, 1990
Total Votes Cast: 2,424,579

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Repeal state census	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,731,341 71%	479,999 20%	213,239 9%	91%
2		Limit state use of consultants	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,038,174 43%	1,246,739 51%	139,666 6%	94%
3		Changes income tax law; Regulates state agencies' fees	Initiative Petition for a Law	935,337 39%	1,397,542 58%	91,700 4%	96%
4	♦	Changes laws governing establishment of political parties and nomination of candidates	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,134,535 47%	1,027,966 42%	262,078 11%	89%
5	♦	Regulates local aid fund	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,242,270 51%	949,561 39%	232,748 10%	90%
6		Free and equal radio and television time for candidates	Legislative Advisory Question	1,141,706 47%	973,933 40%	308,940 13%	87%

Print 1990 statistics

1992

Election Date: November 3, 1992
Total Votes Cast: 2,822,659

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Create health protection fund for education regarding the use of tobacco	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,429,642 51%	1,200,438 43%	192,579 7%	93%
2	♦	Make certain corporate tax information available to the public	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,372,192 49%	1,099,585 39%	350,880 12%	88%
3		All packaging to be recycled or recyclable	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,071,219 38%	1,556,298 55%	195,141 7%	93%
4		Tax on hazardous materials	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,051,046 37%	1,485,451 53%	286,161 10%	90%

Print 1992 statistics

1994

Election Date: November 8, 1994
Total Votes Cast: 2,232,206

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Regulating spending on ballot question campaigns	Initiative Petition for a Law	822,065 37%	1,225,725 55%	184,416 8%	92%
2		Seat belt law	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	1,240,271 56%	844,755 38%	147,180 7%	93%
3	♦	Changing the law regarding student fees	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	964,871 43%	1,011,474 45%	255,861 11%	89%
4	♦	Term limits	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,047,927 47%	984,571 44%	199,708 9%	91%
5	♦	Opening of retail stores on Sunday morning and certain holidays	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,100,994 49%	990,057 44%	141,155 6%	94%
6		Graduated income tax	Initiative Petition for a Constitutional Amendment	630,694 28%	1,442,404 65%	159,108 7%	93%
7		Personal income tax changes	Initiative Petition for a Law	599,917 27%	1,461,950 65%	170,339 8%	92%
8	♦	State highway fund changes	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,500,238 67%	526,809 24%	205,159 9%	91%
9	♦	Prohibiting rent control	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,034,599 46%	980,736 44%	216,870 10%	90%

Print 1994 statistics

1996

Election Date: November 5, 1996
Total Votes Cast: 2,600,142

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Changing the trapping and hunting laws	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,422,006 55%	790,415 30%	387,721 15%	85%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Changing the trapping and hunting laws

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,422,006

55%

790,415

30%

387,721

15%

85%

Print 1996 statistics

1998

Election Date: November 3, 1998
Total Votes Cast: 1,935,277

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Setting compensation of state legislators	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,170,031 60%	538,729 28%	226,517 12%	88%
2	♦	Public campaign financing	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,129,934 58%	572,476 30%	232,867 12%	88%
3	♦	Tax rate on interest and dividend income	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,395,599 72%	309,416 16%	230,262 12%	88%
4	♦	Electric utility industry restructuring	Referendum Petition on an Existing Law	1,251,540 65%	509,807 26%	173,930 9%	91%

Print 1998 statistics

2000

Election Date: November 7, 2000
Total Votes Cast: 2,733,831

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Earlier Redistricting for State Legislators and Governor’s Councillors	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,776,278 64.97%	742,768 27.17%	214,785 7.86%	92.14%
2	♦	Voting By Incarcerated Felons	Legislative Constitutional Amendment	1,648,447 60.30%	926,737 33.90%	158,647 5.80%	94.20%
3		Dog Racing	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,276,708 46.70%	1,328,374 48.59%	128,749 4.71%	95.29%
4	♦	Income Tax Rate Reduction	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,541,771 56.40%	1,055,181 38.60%	136,879 5.00%	94.99%
5		Health Insurance and Health Care	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,229,652 44.98%	1,325,915 48.50%	178,264 6.52%	93.48%
6		Tax Credit for Tolls and Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,090,449 39.89%	1,477,731 54.05%	165,651 6.06%	93.94%
7	♦	Tax Deduction for Charitable Contributions	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,834,305 67.10%	714,884 26.15%	184,642 6.75%	93.25%
8		Drug-Dependency Treatment and Drug-Crime Fines and Forfeitures	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,215,806 44.47%	1,329,899 48.65%	188,126 6.88%	93.12%

Print 2000 statistics

2002

Election Date: November 5, 2002
Total Votes Cast: 2,220,301

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		Eliminating State Personal Income Tax	Initiative Petition for a Law	885,683 39.89%	1,070,668 48.22%	263,950 11.89%	88.11%
2	♦	English Language Education in Public Schools	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,359,935 61.25%	640,525 28.85%	219,841 9.90%	90.10%
3		Taxpayer Funding for Political Campaigns	Legislative Advisory Question	517,285 23.30%	1,462,435 65.87%	240,581 10.84%	89.17%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Eliminating State Personal Income Tax

Initiative Petition for a Law

885,683

39.89%

1,070,668

48.22%

263,950

11.89%

88.11%

♦

English Language Education in Public Schools

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,359,935

61.25%

640,525

28.85%

219,841

9.90%

90.10%

Taxpayer Funding for Political Campaigns

Legislative Advisory Question

517,285

23.30%

1,462,435

65.87%

240,581

10.84%

89.17%

Print 2002 statistics

2004

Election Date: November 2, 2004

There were no statewide ballot measures in 2004.

2006

Election Date: November 7, 2006
Total Votes Cast: 2,243,835

Question Number	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	Sale of Wine by Food Stores	Initiative Petition for a Law	917,467 41%	1,185,714 53%	140,654 6%	94%
2	Nomination of Candidates for Public Office	Initiative Petition for a Law	688,259 31%	1,302,199 58%	253,377 11%	89%
3	Family Child Care Providers	Initiative Petition for a Law	951,517 42%	1,042,253 46%	250,065 11%	89%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

Sale of Wine by Food Stores

Initiative Petition for a Law

917,467

41%

1,185,714

53%

140,654

94%

Nomination of Candidates for Public Office

Initiative Petition for a Law

688,259

31%

1,302,199

58%

253,377

11%

89%

Family Child Care Providers

Initiative Petition for a Law

951,517

42%

1,042,253

46%

250,065

11%

89%

Print 2008 statistics

2008

Election Date: November 4, 2008
Total Votes Cast: 3,102,995

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1		State Personal Income Tax	Initiative Petition for a Law	914,420 29%	2,070,699 67%	117,876 4%	96%
2	♦	Possession of Marijuana	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,949,704 63%	1,038,523 33%	114,768 4%	96%
3	♦	Dog Racing	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,662,352 54%	1,303,708 42%	136,935 4%	96%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

State Personal Income Tax

Initiative Petition for a Law

914,420

29%

2,070,699

67%

117,876

96%

♦

Possession of Marijuana

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,949,704

63%

1,038,523

33%

114,768

96%

♦

Dog Racing

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,662,352

54%

1,303,708

42%

136,935

96%

Print 2008 statistics

2010

Election Date: November 2, 2010
Total Votes Cast: 2,319,963

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,147,374 49%	1,061,406 46%	111,183 5%	95%
2		Comprehensive Permits for Low-or-Moderate-Income Housing	Initiative Petition for a Law	900,405 39%	1,254,795 54%	164,799 7%	93%
3		Sales and Use Tax Rates	Initiative Petition for a Law	966,973 42%	1,271,532 55%	81,458 4%	97%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,147,374

49%

1,061,406

46%

111,183

95%

Comprehensive Permits for Low-or-Moderate-Income Housing

Initiative Petition for a Law

900,405

39%

1,254,795

54%

164,799

93%

Sales and Use Tax Rates

Initiative Petition for a Law

966,973

42%

1,271,532

55%

81,458

97%

Print 2010 statistics

2012

Election Date: November 6, 2012
Total Votes Cast: 3,184,196

Question Number	Adopted	Description	Type	Yes	No	Blanks	% of Voters Voting on Question
1	♦	Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information	Initiative Petition for a Law	2,353,603 74%	392,562 12%	438,031 14%	86%
2		Prescribing Medication to End Life	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,466,866 46%	1,534,757 48%	182,573 6%	94%
3	♦	Medical Use of Marijuana	Initiative Petition for a Law	1,914,747 60%	1,108,904 35%	160,545 5%	95%

Question
Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

♦

Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information

Initiative Petition for a Law

2,353,603

74%

392,562

12%

438,031

14%

86%

Prescribing Medication to End Life

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,466,866

46%

1,534,757

48%

182,573

94%

♦

Medical Use of Marijuana

Initiative Petition for a Law

1,914,747

60%

1,108,904

35%

160,545

95%

Print 2012 statistics

Statewide Ballot Questions — Statistics by Year: 1919 – 2012

1919

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1920

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1922

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1924

1926

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1928

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1930

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1932

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1934

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Yes

No

Blanks

% of Voters Voting on Question

1936

1938

Question Number

Adopted

Description

Type

Statewide Ballot Questions —
Statistics by Year: 1919 – 2012

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Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number

Question
Number