Massachusetts Question 1, Freedom of Speech Amendment (1948)
| Massachusetts Question 1 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Constitutional rights |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 2, 1948. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported adding "The right of free speech shall not be abridged" to the state constitution. |
A “no” vote opposed adding "The right of free speech shall not be abridged" to the state constitution. |
Election results
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Massachusetts Question 1 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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1,353,307 | 84.62% | ||
| No | 246,033 | 15.38% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:
| “ | Do you approve of the adoption of an amendment to the constitution summarized below which was approved by the General Court in a joint session of the two branches held June 28, 1945, received 227 votes in the affirmative and 0 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held June 9, 1947, received 232 votes in the affirmative and 8 in the negative. | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | This proposed amendment to the Constitution adds to the declaration of the rights of the inhabitants, as now set forth in the Consitution, the following: "The right of free speech shall not be abridged." | ” |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Massachusetts Constitution
A simple majority vote is required during two successive joint legislative sessions for the Massachusetts State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 101 votes in the joint session of the state legislature, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
See also
External links
- William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Statewide Ballot Measures: 1919-Present"
- Athol Daily News, "LEGAL NOTICE," October 25, 1948
Footnotes
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