Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Massachusetts Question 1, Allow Four Classes of Real Property for Taxation Amendment (1978)
| Massachusetts Question 1 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Property taxes |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 7, 1978. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported allowing the legislature to create up to four classes of real property for taxation. |
A “no” vote opposed allowing the legislature to create up to four classes of real property for taxation. |
Election results
|
Massachusetts Question 1 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
1,285,865 | 66.44% | ||
| No | 649,400 | 33.56% | ||
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 Senate on May 28, 1975, by a vote of 220-53, and on September 7, 1977, by a vote of 243-20? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | The proposed constitutional amendment would permit the legislature to establish as many as four different classes of real property for tax purposes. Property in any one class would be required to be assessed, rated and taxed proportionately but property in different classes could be assessed, rated and taxed differently. The legislature could grant reasonable exemptions. The constitution presently requires all property (other than wild lands, forest lands and certain agricultural and horticultural lands) to be assessed and rated equally at full value for tax purposes. | ” |
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 |
