Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Repeal (2012)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

The Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Repeal Referendum did not make the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute. The proposal, introduced by Joseph Anthony Ureneck, would have repealed M.G.L. c. 209A, a law passed in the state dealing with Abuse Prevention. The petition number for the initiative was 11-02 (dead link).

Path to the ballot

Each of the ten original signers of the proposed measure must have obtained certificates of voter registration from the board of registrars or election commission in the city or town where they were registered voters. The certificate of voter registration must be signed by at least three registrars. These certificates and the original petition must then be submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General.

Usually, if the petition is found acceptable, the Attorney General will prepare a summary and return it and the petition to the petitioners, who must file the petition and summary with the Massachusetts Secretary of State. Once that is submitted, petitions are printed and circulation can begin. However, the measure was not found acceptable by the attorney general, and therefore did not begin circulation for the ballot. The Attorney General stated that the measure impermissibly related to powers of courts.

See also

• Massachusetts 2012 ballot measures
• 2012 ballot measures
• List of Massachusetts ballot measures
• Laws governing the initiative process in Massachusetts