Massachusetts 1976 ballot measures

1978 →

← 1974

In 1976, voters decided on nine statewide ballot measures in Massachusetts on November 2.

• Two were advisory questions.
• Four were indirect initiated state statutes.
• Three were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• Voters approved four (44.44%) and rejected five (55,56%).

On the ballot

November 2, 1976

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Question 1	Prohibit the denial or abridgment of rights on the basis of sex, race, color, creed or national origin	a	1,445,066 (60%)	945,789 (40%)
LRCA	Question 2	Allow for a graduated income tax rate		645,483 (27%)	1,787,302 (73%)
LRCA	Question 3	Allow those with religious conflicts to voting on the election date to vote absentee	a	1,274,302 (55%)	1,047,929 (45%)
IndISS	Question 4	Create the Massachusetts Power Authority to create a bulk power supply system to supply wholesale electric power		346,727 (15%)	1,983,318 (85%)
IndISS	Question 5	Prohibit the possession, ownership, and sale of handguns		743,014 (31%)	1,669,945 (69%)
IndISS	Question 6	Create a beverage container refund program		1,207,162 (50%)	1,228,185 (50%)
IndISS	Question 7	Require electric utility companies to charge a uniform rate per kilowatt hour		608,691 (25%)	1,793,022 (75%)
LRAQ	Question 8	Allow for the construction of an oil refinery and deep water port	a	1,513,165 (65%)	803,322 (35%)
LRAQ	Question 9	Allow certain retail stores to be open on Sundays	a	1,299,144 (55%)	1,079,045 (45%)

See also

• Laws governing the initiative process in Massachusetts
• List of Massachusetts ballot measures
• 1976 ballot measures

External links

• William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Statewide Ballot Measures: 1919-Present"