Massachusetts 2008 ballot measures

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Three citizen-initiated ballot questions were on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Constitution can be amended through initiative and new state laws (statutes) can be proposed through initiative. All three statewide ballot measures that earned a spot on the November ballot by collecting signatures were new state laws (not constitutional amendments).

In Massachusetts, after the state determines which initiatives have succeeded in collecting enough signatures to be placed on the ballot, official numbers/names are assigned to each of the successful initiatives. Secretary of State William Galvin has discretion over the order of questions on the ballot. His office announced that they had determined the ballot ordering "based on the perceived relative importance of the proposed laws."

Key facts

• Through 2008, 64 citizen-initiated ballot propositions had appeared on the Massachusetts ballot since the beginning of the process in 1920.

• Of those 64, 32 were approved by voters.

National overview

2008 ballot measures

Ballot Initiative Report, 2008

State-by-state chart

2008 ballot measure lawsuits

November 4, 2008 ballot

November 4, 2008

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
IndISS	Question 1	Eliminate the state income tax		914,420 (31%)	2,070,699 (69%)
IndISS	Question 2	Replace the criminal penalties for possessing of one ounce or less of marijuana with a civil penalty system	a	1,949,704 (65%)	1,038,523 (35%)
IndISS	Question 3	Prohibit forms of dog racing where on the speed or ability of dogs occurs	a	1,662,352 (56%)	1,303,708 (44%)

Didn't make ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
VR	Repeal 40B	Government Administration	Would strip four affordable housing provisions from the state's permitting law	Failed signature requirement

See also

• Massachusetts signature requirements
• List of Massachusetts ballot measures
• List of ballot measures by state

External links

• Massachusetts Elections Division
• I&R Institute, Historical Listing of Massachusetts' initiatives
• List of current petitions filed in Massachusetts from the Attorney General's office
• Berkshire Eagle: "Income tax repeal gets 1st ballot slot," July 11, 2008
• Boston Herald: "Galvin makes income tax repeal Question 1 on ballot," July 10, 2008
• PolitickerMA.com: "Initiative to repeal state income tax gets first slot on November ballot," July 11, 2008
• Imagine Election - Sample ballots, candidate profiles and polling place information for Massachusetts voters.
• Project Vote Smart - Candidate information including issue positions and voting records.

State ballot measures

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