Note: The details below are excerpts from ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts/Massachusetts_2018_ballot_measures. Much more information can be found at the website, including who is supporting each Ballot Question. Additional questions may be on local ballots.
The Secretary of State’s Election pages have the full text and summaries of the questions at
www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele18/ballot_questions_18/ballot_questions18.htm.
Download a 2 page ballot question flyer (docx): 2018 Massachusetts Ballot Questions.
Question 1 – Nurse-Patient Assignment Limits Initiative
Question 1 would establish patient assignment limits for registered nurses working in hospitals. Limits would be determined by the type of medical unit or patient a nurse is working with.
- A YES vote is a vote in favor of establishing patient assignment limits for registered nurses working in hospitals.
- A NO vote is a vote against establishing patient assignment limits for registered nurses working in hospitals.
Question 2 – Advisory Commission for Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Regarding Corporate Personhood and Political Spending Initiative
Question 2 would create a citizens commission composed of 15 members. The commission would propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution, specifically regarding overturning Citizens United and defining inalienable constitutional rights as belonging to individual living human beings, not artificial entities or collections of human beings. The commission would create reports on the following:
- political and election spending in Massachusetts;
- the legal ability of the state government to regulate corporations; and
- proposals for federal constitutional amendments and actions recommended for advancing the proposed amendments.
The measure would take effect on January 1, 2019, and the commission’s first report would be due on December 31, 2019
- A YES vote is a vote in favor of establishing a 15-member citizens’ commission to advocate for certain amendments to the United States Constitution regarding campaign finance and corporate personhood.
- A NO vote is a vote against creating a 15-member citizens’ commission to advocate for certain amendments to the United States Constitution regarding campaign finance and corporate personhood.
Question 3 – Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum
A “yes” vote on Question 3 supports upholding a law that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public places. The law requires access to areas segregated based on gender—such as bathrooms and locker rooms—to be allowed according to an individual’s self-identified gender identity. The law, which went into effect in October 2016, includes some exceptions. A “no” vote on this measure opposes this law and supports overturning it. This measure was put on the ballot through a signature petition drive by opponents of the 2016 law—SB 2407—which means the sponsors of the signature petition drive responsible for the measure are advocating for a “no” vote. Click here to read a list provided by the attorney general of places considered public accommodations for which the provisions of the measure would apply.[1]
The penalty for each violation of the law’s prohibition against discrimination in public places, including discrimination based on gender identity under SB 2407, was set to be up to $100, up to 30 days in prison, or both
- A YES vote supports upholding Senate Bill 2407, a bill to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in public places—such as hotels, restaurants, and stores.
- A NO vote opposes SB 2407 and repeals the law designed to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in public places—such as hotels, restaurants, and stores.