Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Massachusetts Question 1, Prohibit Disability-Based Discrimination Amendment (1980)
Massachusetts Question 1 | |
---|---|
Election date |
|
Topic Constitutional rights |
|
Status |
|
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 4, 1980. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported prohibiting the exclusion, denial of benefits, or discrimination against individuals with disabilities “solely by reason of his handicap” in any program or activity within the state. |
A “no” vote opposed prohibiting the exclusion, denial of benefits, or discrimination against individuals with disabilities “solely by reason of his handicap” in any program or activity within the state. |
Election results
Massachusetts Question 1 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
1,503,771 | 66.46% | |||
No | 758,978 | 33.54% |
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 joint sessions of the House of. Representatives and the Senate on September 7, 1977, by a vote of 262-1, and on May 28, 1980, by a vote of 192-0? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
“ | The proposed amendment would add a new article to the state Constitution which would prohibit discrimination against handicapped people. It would provide that no otherwise qualified handicapped individual could, on the sole basis of that handicap, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any program or activity. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
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
Footnotes
![]() |
State of Massachusetts Boston (capital) |
---|---|
Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |