What are the 2024 Massachusetts Ballot Questions?
By Madison Lucchesi
In just over a month, Massachusetts voters will cast a presidential ballot and determine the future of 5 state laws on Election Day.
The proposed laws address a range of issues and initiatives from MCAS requirements to legalizing psychedelic mushrooms.
To get a question on the ballot, organizers and advocates must obtain thousands of voters’ signatures. Advocacy groups must also register their finance regulators, which allows them to advertise their initiative extensively.
Question 1: Audit the Legislature
Every four years, MA residents elect a new Auditor that ensures the state agencies follow laws and regulations. Current State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is behind the ballot questions.
DiZoglio said, “Beacon Hill cannot continue its closed-door, opaque operations with so much at stake.” If the majority of voters support the law, the Auditor will be able to investigate some activities of the Legislature, but legislators may refuse to comply.
Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents said they supported a ballot initiative that would “allow the state auditor to assess the performance of the state Legislature,” according to a study conducted by UMASS Amherst and WCVB.
However, the Legislature is largely opposed to the initiative.
Question 2: MCAS as a graduation requirement
The 1993 Education Reform Act established passing the MCAS science, math and English exams as a graduation requirement. This year’s ballot question asks voters to determine whether or not the state should eliminate that requirement.
Teachers associations have discussed the inequities created by the MCAS exam for years. The MCAS exam can be challenging for students who struggle with standardized testing, students with disabilities, and students who do not speak English as a first language or are still learning English.
Each year, over 700 high school students do not graduate for not meeting the MCAS requirement.
Massachusetts would be one of the few states without a common graduation standard, allowing school districts to create their own graduation requirements. Many school districts already have some graduation requirements, including completing a certain number of credits and community service hours.
Question 3: Ride-share app unions
Ride-share app drivers are seeking the ability to unionize and advocate for better pay, conditions and healthcare.
In July, the Massachusetts Attorney General announced a deal that mandates a minimum pay of $32.50 hourly and expanded benefits. The deal also included a $175 million settlement for back pay. This may cause Uber and Lyft prices to increase and ridership may decrease as a result.
If MA residents vote in favor of unionization, the process to unionize may take a few years.
Question 4: Legalizing psychedelic mushrooms
The psychedelic mushroom initiative received over 75,000 supporting signatures. Colorado and Oregon legalized psychedelic mushrooms in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Psychedelic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which alters thoughts and perceptions. Research found that mushrooms can treat depression and other mental illnesses. The drug is a traditional part of Indigenous rituals and is considered non addictive.
Legalization would allow psychedelic mushrooms to be used in therapy centers and for adults to grow their own.
Since psychedelic mushrooms are illegal under federal law, Massachusetts may face federal backlash if the law passes.
Question 5: Raise minimum wage to $15 for tipped servers
The last ballot question would raise tipped servers’ minimum wage from $6.75 to $15 per hour. Companies would be required to raise minimum wage for all their tipped employees by 2029.
If the minimum wage is raised, employees who don’t directly interact with customers–cooks, bookkeepers, and other workers–could receive tips from a company pool. Currently, MA law does not allow for pooled tips to be shared with employees who don’t interact with customers.
On the other hand, restaurants may increase prices to compensate for increased wages.