Massachusetts Question 4, State Constitutional Convention Initiative (1968)
| Massachusetts Question 4 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic State constitutional conventions |
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| Status |
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| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
Massachusetts Question 4 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Massachusetts on November 5, 1968. It was approved.
A “yes” vote supported providing for the calling of a state constitutional convention. |
A “no” vote opposed providing for the calling of a state constitutional convention. |
Election results
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Massachusetts Question 4 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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885,455 | 58.84% | ||
| No | 619,392 | 41.16% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 4 was as follows:
| “ | Do you approve of a law summarized below, upon which the House of Representatives did not vote and upon which the Senate did not vote? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ |
The proposed law provides that the official ballot in the biennial State election for the year 1970 shall contain a question asking the voters whether there shall be a convention in 1971 to 1) revise, alter or amend the constitution of the Commonwealth on the following subjects, insofar as they relate to the structure of government, and no others: the Executive Branch; The General Court; the Executive Council; and governments of cities, towns, and counties and their relationship to each other and to the government of the Commonwealth; (2) simplify and rearrange the constitution, and (3) provide methods of amendment thereof. The question will state that the convention shall not consider or propose any measure which relates to the Massachusetts Declaration of Right, the provisions of the Massachusetts constitution concerning "Judiciary Power" (other than provisions restricting the Executive Council), or any of the excluded matters enumerated in Article XLVIII, II, Section 2 of the Massachusetts constitution. The question will fix the number of delegates to the convention at 150, of whom 20 members shall be members of the General Court; the remaining 130, members shall be elected by the voters in the manner summarized below. The question will also state that the convention shall conclude its business not later than 120 days from its first session. The proposed law provides that if a majority of the votes on the foregoing question is in the affirmative, the convention shall be held in July, 1971 to revise, alter or amend the constitution on the matters enumerated above only. The House of Representatives and the Senate shall each elect as delegates 10 of its members, not more than six from each branch coming from the same political party. Of the remaining 130 delegates, 10 shall, be elected at large and 120 shall be elected from the 40 senatorial districts, 3 from each. Provision is made for the manner of nominating, and electing these 130 delegates, without party or political designation, for filing vacancies occurring in the position of a delegate, from whatever source chosen, and for the conduct of the convention's business. Any revisions, alterations and amendments of the Massachusetts constitution adopted by the convention shall be submitted to the people at the State election in 1972 for their ratification and adoption in such manner as the convention may direct. If a majority of the people voting thereon ratify and adopt such a revision, alteration or amendment, the constitution shall be deemed to be changed accordingly. The proposed law also provides that if the vote on the question to be submitted at the biennial State election in 1970 is in the affirmative, the Governor shall appoint a preparatory commission of 5 members to compile data to aid the convention in the discharge of its duties. Each member of the commission shall receive compensation of $10,000 and the commission may expend a sum not in excess of $200,000, as the Governor may approve for its expenses. | ” |
Path to the ballot
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Massachusetts, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 3% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Massachusetts also has a distribution requirement that requires no more than 25% of the certified signatures on any petition can come from a single county.
The state Legislature has until the first Wednesday of May in the election year to pass the statute. If the legislature does not pass the proposed statute, proponents must collect a second round of signatures equal to 0.5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. The Legislature also has the power to place an alternative measure alongside the proposed statute via a simple majority vote of the state legislature.
A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. However, the number of affirmative votes cast for the measure must be greater than 30% of the votes cast in the election.
See also
External links
- William Francis Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Massachusetts Statewide Ballot Measures: 1919-Present"
- The North Adams Transcript, "NOTICE OF STATE ELECTION," November 1, 1968
Footnotes
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