Massachusetts Question 2, Public Office Vacancies Because of Enemy Attack Amendment (1964)
| Massachusetts Question 2 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Government continuity policy |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 2 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Massachusetts on November 3, 1964. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported providing that the General Court provide for temporary replacements for holders of public office if their seat becomes vacant because of enemy attack. |
A “no” vote opposed providing that the General Court provide for temporary replacements for holders of public office if their seat becomes vacant because of enemy attack. |
Election results
|
Massachusetts Question 2 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
1,600,324 | 89.88% | ||
| No | 180,244 | 10.12% | ||
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 July 18, 1962, received 238 votes in the affirmative and 1 in the negative, and in a joint session of the two branches held May 8, 1963, received 246 votes in the affirmative and 2 in the negative? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ | In the event that any public office, whether elective or appointive, shall become vacant as a result of enemy attack, the proposed amendment would enable the General Court to provide for prompt and temporary succession to the powers and duties of such offices, and to take steps to insure continuity of government of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. | ” |
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 Springfield Union, "Legal Notice," October 27, 1964
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 |
