Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Massachusetts Question 1, Authorize Use-Based Tax Assessment for Agricultural and Horticultural Land Amendment (1972)
| Massachusetts Question 1 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Agriculture policy and 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, 1972. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported allowing the legislature to pass a law requiring that agricultural and horticultural land be taxed based on its use rather than market value, with a minimum size and active-use requirement. |
A “no” vote opposed allowing the legislature to pass a law requiring that agricultural and horticultural land be taxed based on its use rather than market value, with a minimum size and active-use requirement. |
Election results
|
Massachusetts Question 1 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
1,440,093 | 72.94% | ||
| No | 534,143 | 27.06% | ||
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 18, 1969, received 221 votes in the affirmative and 22 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held May 12, 1971, received 238 votes 'in the affirmative and 14 in the negative? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | The proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to enact a law that agricultural and horticultural lands shall be valued, for taxation purposes, according to their agricultural or horticultural uses. No parcel of land less than five acres which has not been actively devoted to such uses for two years preceding the tax year could be valued at less than fair market value. | ” |
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 |
