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Massachusetts Question 2, Percentage-Based Signature Requirement for Citizen-Initiated Ballot Measures Amendment (1950)
| Massachusetts Question 2 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Initiative and referendum process |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 2 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 7, 1950. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported amending the state constitution to replace fixed signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures with percentage-based requirements tied to voter turnout in the most recent gubernatorial election. |
A “no” vote opposed this constitutional amendment, keeping the existing fixed signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures. |
Overview
Question 2 amended the state constitution to change the signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures. Previously, fixed numbers of signatures were required:[1]
- 25,000 for initiated constitutional amendments;
- 20,000 for indirect initiated state statutes, with an additional 5,000 if the Legislature rejected the proposal and proponents wanted it placed on the ballot; and
- 15,000 for veto referendums on general legislation, and 10,000 for veto referendums on emergency legislation.
The approved amendment replaced these fixed thresholds with percentages based on the total number of votes cast for governor in the most recent state election:[1]
- 3% for initiated constitutional amendments;
- 3% for indirect initiated state statutes, plus an additional 0.5% if the Legislature rejected the proposal and proponents wanted it placed on the ballot;
- 2% for veto referendums on general laws, and 1.5% for veto referendums on emergency legislation.
Election results
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Massachusetts Question 2 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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992,643 | 74.29% | ||
| No | 343,573 | 25.71% | ||
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- Results are officially certified.
- Source
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 2 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 4, 1948, received 154 votes in the affirmative and 44 in the negative and in a joint session of the two branches held June 8, 1949, received 160 votes in the affirmative and 93 in the negative? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | This proposed amendment to the Constitution provides for an increase in the number of signatures of qualified voters required upon an initiative or upon a referendum petition, and it further makes provision for changes in legislative procedures thereon with reference to dates upon. or within which, acts shall be done in the various stages necessary to be taken upon such petitions. | ” |
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"
- The North Adams Transcript, "Legal Notice!" October 20, 1950
Footnotes
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