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How are the MA voting questions going? What the latest poll says
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How are the MA voting questions going? What the latest poll says

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With the general election tomorrow, the question on everyone’s mind is who will win the presidential race.

However, Massachusetts still has many more important ballot questions, including five supplemental ballot questions — the most the state has seen in years.

A recent poll from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center shows where Massachusetts voters stand on these statewide voting questions. The survey collected findings from 750 likely voters, with a margin of error of 3.5%.

While a few questions appear to have a clear winner in the poll, others show a divide among voters.

Here’s the rundown on what the polls say.

What are the 2024 ballot questions in Massachusetts?

Here are the five ballot initiatives that Massachusetts residents will vote on on Election Day:

  • Question 1 questions whether a state auditor should have the authority to audit the Massachusetts legislature.
  • Question 2 asks whether the state should eliminate the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) as a requirement for high school graduation across the state.
  • Question 3 asks whether in-state rideshare workers (from companies like Uber and Lyft) should have the right to unionize.
  • Question 4 questions whether psychedelic substances should be legalized and regulated in Massachusetts.
  • Question 5 asks whether tipped workers should be paid a minimum wage.

Where does MA stand on question 1?

The UNH poll shows a clear majority in favor of Question 1. Nearly two-thirds of voters surveyed (65%) said they would vote yes, supporting allowing the state auditor to audit the Massachusetts Legislature. 19% of people said they will vote no, and 15% said they are undecided.

Where does MA stand on question 2?

Voters are split on Question 2, with 49% voting yes to eliminate the MCAS as a graduation requirement, 43% voting no to keep it and 8% saying undecided in the UNH poll.

USA Today reports this question as one of the state’s most competitive races, with fierce debate among many Massachusetts politicians, featuring stars like Matt Damon. Supporters of the ballot initiative say standardized tests are not a fair way to assess students, while opponents fear removing the requirement would result in lowering academic standards statewide.

Where does MA stand on question 3?

Like Question 1, voters in the UNH survey were largely in favor of the issue of giving the right to organize rideshare work, with 55% voting yes on the plan, while 25% opposed the initiative and 20% did not was sure.

Where does MA stand on question 4?

Yes also prevailed on question 4 in the poll, with 48% of respondents saying they would vote in favor of legalizing psychedelic drugs, 36% voting against legalization and 16% saying they were undecided.

Where does MA stand on question 5?

Voters in this survey were split on Question 5: 41% of respondents said they would vote yes on the minimum wage for tipped workers, 45% said they would vote no, and 14% were unsure.

Question 5 is one of the state’s most competitive races, according to USA Today. Although advocates believe it would be fairer for all workers to earn the minimum wage, the restaurant industry has strongly opposed the initiative, saying that paying all workers $15 an hour would lead to higher menu prices, staff cuts and even closures .