Massachusetts 2016 ballot measures
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Four ballot measures were certified to appear on the Massachusetts ballot on November 8, 2016. Two measures were approved and two measures were defeated.
Paperwork was filed for 35 initiatives targeting spots on the 2016 ballot in Massachusetts. Some of these were repeat filings of the same or similar measures. Four distinct citizen-initiated measures qualified for the ballot. To qualify measure proposals for the ballot, petitioners had to file the requisite number of signatures by December 2, 2015. Since all four certified measures were statutes, a supplementary signature petition was required after the initiative statutes were considered by the Massachusetts State Legislature. The four certified measures are listed below:
For the initial round of signatures due on December 2, 2015, petitioners were required to file at least 64,750 valid signatures for initiated state statutes and initiated constitutional amendments. At least 32,375 valid signatures were required for veto referendums. The second round of signatures, a total of 10,792, was required for initiated statutes with a deadline on the first Wednesday of July 2016.
Citizens of Massachusetts may initiate legislation through the process of indirect initiative. In Massachusetts, successful petitions are first presented to the Massachusetts General Court. Once presented to the legislature, proposals for amendments and proposals for statutes face distinct requirements. Amendments must be approved by one-fourth of the legislators in joint session before proceeding to the ballot. Statutes may be adopted by the legislature by a majority vote in both houses. If a statute proposed by a valid initiative petition is not adopted, proponents must collect another, smaller round of signatures to place the statute on the ballot. In Massachusetts, citizens also have the power to repeal legislation via veto referendum.
The Massachusetts General Court can also place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments. The 2016 legislative session ran from January 6, 2016, to July 31, 2016, during which time the Massachusetts State Legislature was able to place legislative referrals on the ballot.
Historical facts
- See also: History of Initiative & Referendum in Massachusetts and List of Massachusetts ballot measures
- A total of 36 measures have appeared on statewide ballots in Massachusetts from 1996 through 2016. Ballot measures only appear in even-numbered years in Massachusetts.
- The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots from 1996 through 2016 ranged from one to eight.
- Between 1996 and 2016, about 53 percent of statewide ballots (19 of 36) were approved by voters, and about 47 percent (17 of 36) were defeated.
On the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndISS | Question 1 | Gambling | Additional slots-only casino license | |
| IndISS | Question 2 | Education | Authorization of up to 12 new charter schools per year | |
| IndISS | Question 3 | Animals | Prohibit certain methods of farm animal containment | |
| IndISS | Question 4 | Marijuana | Legalize recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old |
Cost per required signatures
- See also: Ballot measure signature costs, 2016 and CPRS analysis
The cost of an initiative or veto referendum petition drive can be measured in two key ways:
- According to the total cost of gathering the required signatures to put the initiative or veto referendum on the ballot
- According to the total cost divided by the number of signatures required to qualify the measure for the ballot or Cost Per Required Signature (CPRS).
This data for Massachusetts initiatives and information about what petition drive companies were used are below:
| Ballot Measure: | Topic: | Petition company | Cost | Signatures | CPRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Question 1 | Gambling | J.E.F Associates | $393,370 | 64,750 | $6.08 |
| Massachusetts Question 4 | Marijuana | Spoonworks and J.E.F. Associates | $351,400 | 75,542 | $4.65 |
| Massachusetts Question 3 | Food and agriculture | $102,103.18[1] | 75,542 | $1.35 | |
| Averages: | N/A | J.E.F. Associates | $315,218.30 | N/A | $6.24 |
Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQ | Boston Summer Olympics Question | Athletics | Asks voters if they approve or disapprove of Boston hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics | 
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| IndICA | "Corporations Are Not People" Initiative | Elections | Declares that corporations are not people and empowers the legislature to regulate political contributions |
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| IndISS | Maternity Leave Initiative | Labor | Provides for up to eight weeks of paid maternity leave |
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| IndISS | Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Initiative, Version A | Marijuana | Legalizes recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old |
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| IndISS | Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Initiative, Version B | Marijuana | Legalizes recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old |
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| IndISS | Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Initiative, Version C | Marijuana | Legalizes recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old |
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| IndISS | Solar and Renewable Energy Initiative | Energy | Creates and changes programs that regulate the usage of electricity generated from renewable energy resources |
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| IndISS | "Equitable Healthcare Pricing" Initiative | Healthcare | Regulates non-government health insurance plan payments to healthcare providers |
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| IndISS | Public Records Initiative | Government accountability | Outlines specific regulations and requirements for public records |
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| IndISS | Fast Food and Retail Employee Scheduling Initiative | Labor | Provides for rules for scheduling workers’ shifts in fast-food restaurants and retail stores |
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| IndISS | Animal Shelter Records Initiative | Animals | Requires shelters and officers to fill out reports on animals picked up and placed in a shelter |
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| IndISS | Animal Shelter Euthanasia Initiative | Animals | Provides that certain requirements be met before an animal at a shelter can be euthanized |
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| IndICA | Public Funding of Abortion Initiative | Abortion | Prohibits the public funding of abortion |
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| IndISS | Whale-Safe Fishing Initiative | Hunting and fishing | Prohibits the authorization or licensure of the commercial use of fishing gear that is known to endanger whales or sea turtles |
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| IndISS | Renewable Energy Initiative | Energy | Requires electricity suppliers to increase the minimum electricity percentage from renewable energy-generating sources |
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| IndISS | Tobacco Taxes Initiative, Version A | Tobacco | Eliminates the sales tax on cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and smoking tobacco, and instead imposes a separate excise tax on those projects |
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| IndISS | Tobacco Taxes Initiative, Version B | Tobacco | Exempts tobacco products from a sales tax where they are subject to cigarette excise tax |
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| IndISS | "Fair Healthcare Pricing" Initiative | Healthcare | Regulates non-government health insurance plan payments to healthcare providers |
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| IndISS | Ending Common Core Education Standards Initiative | Education | Removes Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts |
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| CICA | Corporations are not People Initiative | Business | Adds to the constitution provisions regarding corporate involvement in politics |
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| CICA | Constitutional Guarantee of Health Care Initiative | Health Care | Adds constitutional provision ensuring that all residents have access to “comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed” health care |
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State profile
| Demographic data for Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 6,784,240 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 7,800 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 79.6% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 7.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 6% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.9% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 10.6% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.8% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 40.5% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $68,563 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 13.1% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Massachusetts. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Massachusetts voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Massachusetts coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Massachusetts
- United States congressional delegations from Massachusetts
- Public policy in Massachusetts
- Endorsers in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts fact checks
- More...
See also
- 2016 ballot measures
- List of Massachusetts ballot measures
- Laws governing the initiative process in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Legislature
External links
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- ↑ The Humane Society of the United States and Massachusetts Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals provided in-kind contributions for petition printing and petition mailing, volunteer training and transportation, and prizes for top volunteer signature gatherers. The campaign paid cash for some petition printing to Boston Business Printing.
